Chester unveils new West Virginia sign

CHESTER - The state's northernmost municipality has joined a network of communities showing off their West Virginia pride through the dedication of a large, metal sculpture.

Friday morning, Chester Mayor Ed Wedgewood was joined by state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, Del. Pat McGeehan, and Hancock County Commissioner Tommy Ogden in unveiling the latest in a series of West Virginia community signs.

Located by the gazebo at Virginia Gardens in Chester's north end, the steel sign is shaped to the outline of the Mountain State, and features the city's name and the date of its incorporation in 1907, along with a star to denote the city's location in the state.

"It's great for our town," Wedgewood said, offering thanks to Chapman, who arranged for the sign as part of a program funded through a Local Economic Development Assistance grant.

Weighing 350 pounds, the steel for the sign was sourced from Warwood Tool, with the machining performed by employees of TK Innovations. Both businesses are located in the Wheeling area.

Chapman said the sign program, which has included installations throughout the Northern Panhandle, was established in the hope of encouraging civic pride, and to find ways to potentially increase tourism in the region, noting she would like to see people travel to Chester for the sign, but also stop and appreciate some of the landmarks such as the World's Largest Teapot or enjoy local eateries such as Frank's Pastry.

"We hope it's enjoyed for generations to come," she said.

Ogden also offered his thanks to Chapman for choosing Chester to be a part of the marker program, saying it will bring a new element to the city.

"This is a great town and a great area," Ogden said.

McGeehan agreed, marking it as something that can bring residents together.

"Many areas in the country lose their sense of community, but not here in the Northern Panhandle," McGeehan said.

Locally, signs also have been dedicated in New Cumberland, Beech Bottom, Weirton, and Follansbee.

Surveyed and planned in the late 1890s by developer J.E. McDonald, Chester grew as a hub for pottery in the region, in particular the former Taylor, Smith and Taylor Co. which employed more than 800 people at one point.

It once was home to Rock Springs Park, an amusement park which operated from 1897 to 1970 and included the Virginia Gardens Dance Hall, located in the approximate area of the gazebo.