New “Almost Heaven” sign installed in Chester

CHESTER - A new "Almost Heaven" sign has been installed in Chester.

The Chester Beautification Committee President Dustin Lang recently announced that after months of anticipation, a new "Almost Heaven" sign finally has been installed in the City of Chester.

Longtime Chester resident Don Chaney had the original sign constructed on the hillside in front of his log cabin home shortly after the opening of the Jennings Randolph Bridge in 1977 where it welcomed countless visitors from Ohio to West Virginia over the years. Although the sign had been overhauled, repaired and repainted over the years, it finally had succumbed to the forces of time and nature and disappeared from the landscape.

Apparently the missing landmark left a hole in the hearts of many local residents because several citizens, spearheaded by Marjie Jo Jordan, began a drive to raise funding for a new sign. Peter and Lauralee Blattner, who recently purchased the property where the original sign was located, were in favor of having a new sign installed in the original location.

The group placed canisters in Chester businesses to collect donations for the project. Although they fell short of the total needed to complete their goal, the spark had been lit.

Bringing this project to fruition was a team effort. The Chester Beautification Committee worked alongside the Chester Lions Club, the City of Chester, Delegate Pat McGeehan, the Blattner family, Mike Dotson, and the citizens of Chester to secure the necessary support and funding.

Using pictures of the original landmark, Campbell Signs & Apparel created and installed a replica of the beloved "Almost Heaven" sign. The original welcomed visitors to the state of West Virginia for almost 50 years, and now the new "Almost Heaven" sign will once again welcome visitors from Ohio to West Virginia for many more years to come.