History
There is but one Preston County in the United States. It was formed January 19, 1818; named for James P. Preston, Governor of Virginia from 1816-1819.
First Settler:
Reverend John Stough, March 24, 1787, a Lutheran minister.
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Names of his Settlement:
1. Salem (original name of Jerusalem, means peace or peaceful)
2. German Settlement
3. Mt. Carmel
4. West Union; on February 10, 1875 -- Mt. Carmel and West Union became know as Aurora.
Early Pioneers :
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Stemple, Wotring, Rinehart, Harsh and Ridenour.
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"Church attendance in early Aurora days involved both devotion and protection". Aurora Community Book, published by the Farm Women's Club of Aurora, WV. Page 24.
Route 50:
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Formerly know as Northwestern Turnpike was used by both the northern and south troops during the Civil War. On August 9, 1928, a celebration completing the paving of turnpike through West Virginia was held; estimated 5,000 people filed the 5 acre grove by the turnpike.
Schools:
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First teachers were August C. Whitehair and Reverend John Stough.
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The first school started in a log cabin at Mt. Carmel in 1790. Old Grade School (where the community building now stands) was built in 1872. First teacher was Reverend John H. Cupp
1. Union District High School, 1920-1924, was in this building.
2. Elementary students were housed in a building called the "Chicken House", behind the grade school, the second floor of Spiggle's casket building (in Mt. Carmel) and the second floor of Stemple's Store (Hall).
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A new high school was built in 1927 at the cost of about $40,000. On February 17, 1927, students carried their desks, in parade formation, and walked from the west end of town to the east end to begin studies in the new school. The rest of the students were moved in the same manner when the grade school addition was completed in 1937.
An outstanding person :
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Valentine Selders. He left a complete description of life in Aurora after the Civil War. He attended school in Eglon and in West Union (Aurora).
1903:
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Page R. McCrum bought the third car in WV. It was a Crestmobile.
August 24, 1918 :
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100th anniversary of formation of Preston County celebrated by Union District citizens. There was a one-half mile long parade with music by the Aurora Band. Earl Deakins, 6 ft. 7 in. tall, led the parade as Uncle Sam. Since we were involved in WWI, women and children dressed as Red Cross nurses.
Telephones :
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As early as 1893, the Aurora-Oakland, Terra Alta Telephone Company was founded.
Electricity :
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By 1929, it was possible to obtain service for homes in Aurora from the Monongahela-West Penn Company in Fairmont. Those who lived on Route 50 got power first. Lantz Ridge and Stemple Ridge did not get electricity until the late 1940's.
FAll 1977 :
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Consolidation of Aurora High School with Terra Alta High School in Terra Alta.
May 10, 1993 :
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Aurora School burned.
New School :
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Construction began fall of 1994; completed in 1996.
