Lewis County

The first white settlement in Lewis County was made in 1770, with the bulk of settlers arriving around 1790. The county was created in 1816 from a part of Harrison County and was named for Charles Lewis, a soldier and pioneer leader who was killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774.

Portions of the county have since become Braxton, Ritchie, Gilmer and Upshur counties. Gas, oil and glassmaking industries have operated in the county since before 1900.

The county seat, Weston, was established in 1818 and originally named Preston honor of Virginia governor James P. Preston, the named was then changed to Flesherville and then finally to Weston. The State 4-H camp, the first in the country, is located at nearby Jacksons Mill.

Source: The 55 West Virginias: A guide to the State's Counties, by E. Lee North, Published by The West Virginia University Press.

Population: 16,919
Land in square miles: 382
Number of people per square mile: 44.3
More facts from the 2000 Census