West Virginia
West Virginia was one of only two states formed during the American Civil War. What was the other? The answer is below.
West Virginia is in the Appalachian Mountains and it has some of the most beautiful scenery for railroad layouts. John Denver sang it best: “Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River….” The mountains, streams, trees – it doesn't get much better.
In any case, West Virginia is a choice area for rail fans, recreational caving and cool trout waters. It’s also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including skiing, whitewater rafting (the New River Gorge Bridge is below), fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting.
The US Census Bureau, by the way, considers West Virginia part of the South because most of the state is south of the Mason-Dixon Line, even though the northern panhandle is adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio. If that’s not entirely clear, just wait.
West Virginia is the only state that lies entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission. So to make matters more than a little confusing, West Virginia is often considered simultaneously the northernmost Southeastern state, the southernmost Northeastern state, the westernmost Mid Atlantic state and the easternmost Midwestern state. Okay. That’s about as clear as mud, huh?
West Virginia was formed in 1863 by seceding from Virginia, a Confederate state during the American Civil War. In fact, West Virginia was one of only two states formed during the Civil War, the other being Nevada, which separated from Utah Territory.
Okay, enough. Check out these photos. Great scenery ideas.
