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Brooke County, in the Northern Panhandle, is one of West Virginia's smallest counties. It was created in 1797 from part of Ohio County and named in honor of Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia from 1794 to 1796. The area had been settled for many years before the establishment of the county. The 1800 Census gave the population of the county at 4,706.
In 1848, the General Assembly of Virginia created Hancock County from a part of Brooke County, thereby reducing Brooke's land area by almost half. In spite of this surgery, the population grew steadily. This growth was made possible by an expanding industrial base. In addition to steel and other manufacturing concerns, the county has long had a significant coal industry.
Wellsburg, the county seat, was chartered as Charlestown in 1791. It was apparently named for Charles Prather. In 1816 the name was changed to Wellsburg, in honor of Prather's son-in-law, Alexander Wells. The first Grimes Golden apple tree is said to have stood about two miles east of Wellsburg.
Bethany, founded in 1818, is the site of Bethany College. The college was founded in 1840 by Alexander Campbell, who provided land and funds for the first building and served as first president. Bethany has remained a four-year private liberal-arts college affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The college is highly regarded and attracts students from throughout the country.
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(From E. Lee North's 'The 55 West Virginias,' published by West Virginia University Press. Used with permission.)
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