Fun facts about my hometown.

By fcarman
updated 5 months ago

Philippi, WV...the first land battle of the Civil War happened here on June 3, 1861.

Famous Covered Bridge

Also known as the Lemuel Chenoweth Bridge after it’s builder, Philippi Bridge was constructed at a cost of about $12,180 in 1852. Lemuel and Eli Chenoweth of Beverly built the superstructure and Emmett J. O’Brien was the masonry contractor. It nearly burned to the ground in February 1989, and was completely restored and opened to traffic in the summer of 1991.
The span was built to facilitate use of the Beverly and Fairmont Road, which had been built in turn to stimulate use of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.
One of six two-lane covered bridges remaining in the United States; it is the only one that still serves federal highway traffic – US route 250.
It is believed to have escaped destruction during the Civil War because Union troops secured it early in the war. Used by both Northern and Southern troops, it is sometimes recognized as the site of the first land battle of the Civil War.
This bridge is located at the junction of US routes 119 and 250 in Philippi, WV.
The Philippi Covered Bridge is the oldest and longest covered bridge in West Virginia.

Historical Museum

The
crown jewel of the town is definitely the Barbour County Historical Museum,
which is housed in an old restored rail depot located at the end of the
covered bridge. Upon entering this unassuming museum, you are immediately
greeted by a friendly face and are surrounded by several rooms containing
a variety of interesting artifacts. You will see the usual fare offered
at town museums such as Civil War memorabilia, historical clothing and
photographs. Some of the more interesting exhibits include a drum from
the surrender at Appomatox, an old moonshine still, an old Myers phone
switchboard and a billy club carried by the sheriff of Philippi who served
3 terms from 1920 – 1948.

Mummies...we have mummies...

The real draw to the museum, the famous “Philippi mummies” is very much downplayed by the folks in the area. In
fact there was very little information available regarding the mummies
even in the literature put out by the society. However, if you are brave
enough and venture into the rear room to the left you will find articles
relating to Graham Hamrick and his infamous mummification process, as
well as bottles of the actual mummification fluid. If you are really brave
you can pay the $1.00 cover charge enter the through the door with the
handwritten sign proclaiming “Mummies $1.00”. Beware! This venture
is not for the faint hearted.

First "limb" amputation

Confederate soldier J. E. Hanger was the first man to be injured by a cannon ball in the civil war and the first to have a limb amputated.He had his
leg amputated by a Union doctor, later invented an artificial limb, and started
a company which became one of the largest manufacturers of wooden legs in
the world. There’s a plaque, infront of the First Baptist Church, that commemorates the fateful cannon
blast.

Medallion Restaurant

7 S Main St, Philippi, WV 26416

In order to get an appreciation of the true flavor of the town, lunch at the local Medallion Restaurant on the corner of Court St. and Main St. is suggested. The restaurant offers good home cooking at a fair price.