Wayne County, West Virginia was officially established on January 18, 1842, carving its identity from a rich tapestry of natural beauty, pioneering spirit, and the industrious efforts of its early settlers. Named in honor of General Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero, the county’s formation marked the beginning of a journey that would blend agriculture, community, and a unique local history.
The Early Days: A Community is Born
The first known settler in what became Wayne County was Abraham Trout. He built his home on a scenic hill overlooking the Twelve Pole River, which came to be known as Trout’s Hill. As more settlers arrived, names and identities shifted. First called Fairview, then Wayne Court House, the name eventually simplified to Wayne.…