Gill, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gill, West Virginia
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 Brumfield log boom location, 2016
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 Gill, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Gill, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Lincoln |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1549701 |
Gill is a small, unincorporated community in Lincoln County, West Virginia. It used to be a busy railroad town.
Contents
Where is Gill?
Gill is located in Lincoln County, West Virginia. It sits right between Little Ugly Creek and Big Ugly Creek, where they meet the Guyandotte River. The land across the river was also once part of Gill. The community is about five miles from Harts and Ranger.
A Look at Gill's History
Captain Farley's Visit
In June 1792, Captain Henry Farley passed through the area that is now Gill. He was a soldier from the American Revolutionary War. Captain Farley was chasing a group of Native Americans. They had raided settlements in Virginia. He followed them all the way to the mouth of the Guyandotte River before heading home.
Early Settlers
William Wirt Brumfield was one of the first settlers here. He arrived around 1802. His son, John H. Brumfield, helped settle the area near the mouth of Ugly Creek. Paris Brumfield, John H.'s son, grew up here. He was an important person in the Lincoln County Feud. Another well-known resident was Lewis "Jupiter" Fry, a famous fiddler. Sampson S. Brumfield ran a log boom nearby. A log boom was a way to collect logs floating down the river.
How Gill Became a Town
The Gill Post Office opened on October 8, 1903. Thomas J. Gill was the first postmaster. He was a timberman and ran a store. His son, Bradley W. Gill, and his mother, Arabelle Gill, also served as postmasters later. In the early 1900s, the Cyfers family was also notable in the community. At one time, Gill had a hotel, a railroad stop, a church, a school, and a post office.
Why Gill Declined
Gill's success depended on its location. It was at the mouth of Big Ugly Creek and close to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. However, a new road, Route 10, was built in the 1920s. This road was on the other side of the Guyandotte River. This change caused Gill to decline.
What Was Gill's Economy Like?
Timbering was the main industry in Gill. This means cutting down trees for wood. Natural gas was also important in the community's history. In the early 1900s, a railway line was built up Big Ugly Creek from Gill. This line helped transport timber and gas.
Well-Known People from Gill
- Paris Brumfield (1837-1891) was a soldier and a key figure in the Lincoln County Feud.
- Sampson S. Brumfield (1847-c.1916) was known for operating a log boom.
- Lewis "Jupiter" Fry (1843-1924) was a soldier and a famous fiddler.
