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West Virginia State Name Origin:

Scenic West Virginia
Glade Creek Mill in West Virginia -
photo © Jimmy Joe on Flickr- use permitted with attribution

What does West Virginia mean? Although the name "Kanawha" was considered, West Virginia was chosen to name the western counties of Virginia which refused to secede from the Union in 1863.

"Virginia" is in honor of England's Queen Elizabeth I. In the early 1600's, all of North America that wasn't Spanish or French was called Virginia after "The Virgin Queen," and the earliest English colonial expeditions were sent by the Virginia Company of London.

Map of West Virginia USA
West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.
See name origins for all 50 states

 

Source:
West Virginia Quick Facts: Ben's Guide to US Government
Virginia History: American Studies at University of Virginia
Links:
The Naming of West Virginia: WV Division of Culture-History
Origins of West Virginia Place Names: Jeff Miller
Name Origins - 50 States
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West Virginia State Symbols:

bird - butterfly
animal - flower
fish - insect
tree - soil
fruit - gem
 

flag - seal
name
nickname
motto - colors
song 1 - 2 - 3


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