Parkersburg, West Virginia

Parkersburg, West Virginia, is on the Ohio River, which marks the border between Ohio and West Virginia. It is 74 miles (119 kilometers) north of Charleston and 108 miles (174 kilometers) southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Parkersburg is the seat of Wood County and has a population of 33,099.

The Ohio River has shaped Parkersburg from its beginnings, with the community's settlers first arriving by flatboats in the 1780s. The Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is in the middle of the Ohio River, and located just outside of Parkersburg. Start your tour at the Blennerhassett Museum, which contains items ranging from prehistoric Indian artifacts to glassworks and art. You can then board a sternwheeler boat and ride out to the island. The island's namesakes, Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, didn't get to enjoy their island paradise for long. The couple allowed former VP Aaron Burr to use the island during his military expedition to the southwest. The local militia viewed this as a conspiracy, and invaded the island in 1806. Burr was put on trial for treason, and the Blennerhassetts fled downriver and never returned. Today you can tour the recreated Blennerhassett Mansion, and enjoy wagon rides, biking, and nature walks around the park.

Historic sites are scattered all over Parkersburg, including the Wood County Courthouse, the 1843 Civil War Hospital, and the Ohio River Railroad Bridge. (Before the bridge was completed in 1870, trains arriving on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad had to be ferried by barge from Parkersburg to Belpre.) Local museums include the Oil and Gas Museum, the Sumnerite African-American History Museum, and the Veterans Museum of Mid-Ohio Valley. The 1805 Henry Cooper Log House is located in Parkersburg City Park. Inside, you'll find a fascinating collection of artifacts from the 1700s to the 1900s, including period furnishings, photographs, and wood from a tree planted by the legendary Johnny Appleseed. Parkersburg is also known as "The Savings Bond Capital of America," since every US savings bond that's bought or redeemed must pass through the Treasury Department's Bureau of Public Debt Office here.

Looking for some entertainment? The Smoot Theatre has been a landmark since 1926, and the former Vaudeville theater now hosts concerts, plays, comedies, vintage film screenings, and other events. Parkersburg also hosts many exciting annual events, such as the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival, the Homecoming Festival, and the West Virginia Honey Festival.

The North Bend Rail Trail combines history and recreation in one. This former railroad is now a multi-use trail for joggers and cyclists, and passes through 13 tunnels, 36 bridges, historic communities, and lovely natural areas. The trail stretches for 72 miles (116 kilometers) from Parkersburg to Wolf Summit, and forms part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. Nearby Mountwood Park offers the perfect outdoor getaway, with 2,600 acres (1,052 hectares) to explore.

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