Morgantown history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the name of Colonel Zackquill Morgan, who obtained rights to these lands and settled here around 1772. The official starting point is considered to be 1785, when the Virginia General Assembly approved the charter for the creation of the town, named Morgan’s Town in honour of its founder. Initially, the territory was divided into plots which Colonel Morgan sold to settlers, contributing to the rapid growth of the community.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several strategic advantages:

• Geography and the Monongahela River: Its location on the banks of a navigable river ensured the city's connection with Pittsburgh and opened routes for transporting goods to the west and north.
• Resources: Rich deposits of clay, limestone, and later coal and natural gas in the surrounding areas became the foundation for industrial growth.
• Administrative Status: Becoming the centre of the newly formed Monongalia County, the city attracted lawyers, officials, and merchants, strengthening its political position in the region.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Already in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Morgantown stood out among other frontier settlements due to its developed craftsmanship. A special role was played by pottery production: local red clay allowed for the creation of high-quality ceramics, which became the city's first major export commodity. Cultural life also developed rapidly — educational institutions appeared here early on, eventually leading to the establishment in 1867 of the institution that would become West Virginia University.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1772 — Colonel Zackquill Morgan establishes a settlement on the territory of the modern city.
• 1785 — The General Assembly officially approves the creation of the town under the name Morgan’s Town.
• Late 18th Century — The emergence of the pottery trade, which became the first significant sector of the local economy and brought fame to the region.
• 1867 — The founding of the educational institution that subsequently grew into the world-renowned West Virginia University (WVU).
• 1886 — The railway arrives in the city, opening new opportunities for trade and resource transportation.
• 1890s — The beginning of active oil and natural gas extraction in the region, leading to a sharp industrial rise.
• 1896 — The opening of the Seneca Glass Company factory, marking the city's transformation into a major centre of the glass industry.
• 1901 — Morgantown receives official city status due to rapid population growth.
• 1965 — Pharmaceutical corporation Mylan moves its production to Morgantown, creating thousands of jobs.
• 1975 — Launch of the innovative PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) system, connecting the university campuses.
• 1988 — Opening of the modern Ruby Memorial Hospital medical centre, becoming the flagship of healthcare in the state.
• Early 21st Century — Large-scale reconstruction of the Wharf District, transforming a former industrial zone into a popular leisure destination for tourists and citizens.

Stages of Morgantown's Transformation

The development of Morgantown is a journey from a small frontier settlement to a major educational and medical centre. Each of these milestones radically changed the appearance and economy of the city.

• Founding of West Virginia University (1867)
  The creation of the educational institution, initially known as the Agricultural College, was a turning point. This event defined Morgantown's future as a city of youth and science, shifting the focus from trade to education and innovation. The university remains the main city-forming core to this day.
• Arrival of the Railway (1886)
  Connection to the national railway network (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) brought the city out of geographical isolation. This gave a powerful impulse for the export of local resources and attracted investors, launching a process of active industrialisation.
• Flourishing of the Glass Industry (1890s)
  With the opening of the Seneca Glass factory and other production facilities, the city received the unofficial status of the world glass capital. This not only ensured economic prosperity but also enriched the city's culture thanks to the influx of highly skilled glassblowers from Europe.
• Energy Boom (Early 20th Century)
  Active development of coal, oil, and natural gas deposits in the surrounding areas turned Morgantown into an important industrial hub. Revenues from the energy sector allowed for significant modernisation of urban infrastructure and the construction of stone buildings in the centre.
• Launch of the PRT System (1975)
  The introduction of Personal Rapid Transit became a unique urban planning solution. The futuristic system linked the scattered campuses of the university and the city centre, solving the problem of difficult terrain and traffic, and became a technical symbol of the city.
• Formation of the Medical Cluster (1988)
  The opening of the modern Ruby Memorial Hospital marked the transition to a service economy. Today, medicine is the second most important sector of the city, turning it into the main healthcare centre for all of West Virginia.
• Revitalisation of the Wharf District (21st Century)
  Large-scale reconstruction of the former industrial zone along the Monongahela River returned access to the water to the city. The conversion of old warehouses into modern hotels, restaurants, and walking areas created a new centre of attraction for tourists and local residents.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Morgantown's architecture reflects its dual nature: it is a city with a rich industrial past and a dynamically developing university centre. The urban fabric of the city represents an eclectic combination of historical buildings from the late 19th century, austere industrial architecture along the river, and large-scale modernist university complexes integrated into the complex hilly terrain.

Historical Buildings (19th — Early 20th Century)

The city centre (Downtown) and the oldest university campuses have preserved the spirit of the era when Morgantown was a prosperous trade and transport hub. Styles characteristic of American urban planning of that period prevail here.

• Second Empire Style: The brightest example is Woodburn Hall (1876) — the oldest and most recognisable building on the West Virginia University campus. It is distinguished by a mansard roof, decorative cornices, and a central clock tower, which has become a symbol of the city.
• Romanesque Revival: The dominant building of the central square is the Monongalia County Courthouse, built in 1891. Massive stone arches, rough masonry, and asymmetrical composition emphasise the monumentality of the structure.
• Italianate and Victorian Eclecticism: The commercial rows along High Street demonstrate typical commercial architecture of the turn of the century with decorative cornices, arched windows, and brick facades, creating a cosy atmosphere of the old town.
• Neoclassicism: The Metropolitan Theatre building (1924) embodies the elegance of the "Roaring Twenties" with its strict columns and restrained decor characteristic of public buildings of that era.

Industrial Heritage and Revitalisation

The location on the Monongahela River determined the presence of a significant layer of industrial architecture, which is finding a second life today.

• Industrial Brick Style: Former factories, such as the Seneca Glass Company plant (now Seneca Center), represent examples of functional architecture of the early 20th century. Red brick, large windows for natural lighting of workshops, and tall chimneys form the industrial aesthetic of the districts adjacent to the river.
• Adaptive Reuse: In the Wharf District, old warehouses and port structures have been reconstructed into modern offices, hotels, and restaurants, preserving historical facades but changing their functional purpose.

Modernism and University Expansion (From the Mid-20th Century)

The rapid growth of the university in the second half of the 20th century led to the appearance of iconic structures in modern styles in the city, which contrast with the historical centre.

• Structural Expressionism and Modernism: The WVU Coliseum sports arena (1970) is an engineering masterpiece of its time. The huge concrete dome weighing over a thousand tonnes became one of the architectural dominants of the city.
• Brutalism: Many buildings of the medical and engineering campuses (Evansdale Campus), built in the 1960s–70s, are executed in the Brutalist style. They are characterised by massive forms, raw concrete, and emphasised functionality.
• Futuristic Infrastructure: The elevated tracks of the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, piercing through the city, add elements of 1970s science fiction to the urban landscape, visually connecting scattered districts of the city.

Distinguished Figures of Morgantown

The history and culture of the city are inextricably linked with the names of people who have achieved success in politics, arts, sports, and science. Below are key figures whose lives and careers have intertwined with Morgantown.

• Zackquill Morgan — Colonel, veteran of the US Revolutionary War. Founder of the city who settled here in the early 1770s. It was thanks to his efforts that the settlement received official status, and subsequently, his name.
• Waitman T. Willey — A prominent lawyer and US Senator of the 19th century. He played a decisive role in the formation of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War. His historic mansion in Morgantown has been preserved to this day and is an important landmark.
• Don Knotts — Legendary comedic actor, five-time Emmy Award winner. Born and raised in Morgantown, he graduated from the local university. He received nationwide love for the role of Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffith Show". One of the city's boulevards is named in honour of the actor, and a statue has been erected.
• Jerry West — An icon of world basketball, Olympic champion. He became a star while studying at West Virginia University, leading the team to the NCAA finals in 1959. His silhouette served as the prototype for the famous NBA logo.
• David Selby — Theatre and film actor, writer. A native of the city who gained wide fame thanks to roles in the cult TV series "Dark Shadows" and "Falcon Crest". Honorary Doctor of West Virginia University.
• Stephen Coonts — Writer, master of the techno-thriller genre. Born in Morgantown. A former Navy pilot who became a New York Times bestselling author, starting with his debut novel "Flight of the Intruder".
• Emily Calandrelli — Engineer, TV presenter, and science communicator known as "The Space Gal". A native of Morgantown, graduate of the local university and MIT. Host of educational programmes about space on FOX and Netflix channels.