Glenville, West Virginia Facts for Kids

Glenville is a small town in West Virginia, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Gilmer County. The town is located right next to the Little Kanawha River.

In 2020, about 1,128 people lived in Glenville. It is also home to Glenville State University, a college that plays a big part in the town's life.

History of Glenville
Geography and Climate
- Location of Glenville
- Weather in Glenville
Population Changes
- What the 2010 Census Showed
Education in Glenville
Culture and Festivals
Images for kids
See also

History of Glenville

Early Settlement and Naming

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, brave pioneers started to settle in this area. They called it "the Ford" because it was a good place to cross the river. Later, the community was named Glenville. This name came from its location in a "glen," which is a narrow valley.

The first grist mill (a mill that grinds grain) in Gilmer County was built here in 1812. This mill helped the early settlers by turning their crops into flour.

Growth and Development

Glenville was officially made a town in 1856. Over the years, new courthouses were built. The first one was finished in 1850, the second in 1872, and the current one in 1923.

Before the 1930s, the Little Kanawha River was very important for the town's economy. Boats used the river to transport goods. But as more roads were built, river travel became less common by the late 1930s.

Oil and Gas Industry

A new industry became important after oil was found nearby in 1875. This was the natural gas and oil industry. Today, Glenville is still a center for several oil and gas companies.

Banking and Community Life

The Little Kanawha Valley Bank opened in 1901. Its original building is now a historic landmark. Other banks also started in Glenville, and today, United Bank and a branch of Calhoun Banks serve the town.

Early religious leaders, like Methodist and Baptist missionaries, brought their churches to Glenville in the 1800s. Many churches still serve the community today. Glenville also has a golf club and a recreation center for people to enjoy.

Local Newspapers and State Song

In 1885, a local newspaper called the Glenville Crescent published a famous poem. This poem, called "The West Virginia Hills," later became the official state song of West Virginia. While that newspaper is gone, the Glenville Pathfinder (started in 1892) and the Glenville Democrat (started in 1904) are still around.

Major Floods and Snowstorms

Glenville has faced some tough weather events. In 1985, a huge flood hit the town. This flood was caused by a tropical storm that brought a lot of rain. The rain caused rivers to overflow, and downtown Glenville was completely flooded. Many businesses had to move to higher ground. Sadly, 47 people lost their lives in this flood across the region.

More recently, in January 2016, Glenville was hit by a big snowstorm. It dropped 19 inches of snow on the area.

Geography and Climate

Location of Glenville

Glenville is located in Gilmer County, West Virginia. It covers an area of about 1.04 square miles (2.68 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Weather in Glenville

Glenville has a climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate. It means the town gets plenty of rain throughout the year.

Here are some average temperatures and rainfall for Glenville:

Warmest Month: July, with an average temperature of about 74.3°F (23.5°C).
Coldest Month: January, with an average temperature of about 32.2°F (0.1°C).
Rainfall: The town gets about 4.0 inches (100 mm) of rain each month on average.
Snowfall: Glenville usually gets some snow in winter, especially in January and February.

Population Changes

The number of people living in Glenville has changed over time. Here's a look at the population from 1860 to 2020:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	398	—
1870	174	−56.3%
1880	236	35.6%
1890	329	39.4%
1900	398	21.0%
1910	336	−15.6%
1920	327	−2.7%
1930	799	144.3%
1940	588	−26.4%
1950	1,789	204.3%
1960	1,828	2.2%
1970	2,183	19.4%
1980	2,155	−1.3%
1990	1,923	−10.8%
2000	1,544	−19.7%
2010	1,537	−0.5%
2020	1,128	−26.6%
2021 (est.)	1,112	−27.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, there were 1,537 people living in Glenville.

Most residents (90%) were White.
About 6.3% were African American.
A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander.
About 2.1% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Glenville was 24 years old. This is because many young people attend Glenville State University.

Education in Glenville

Education has a long history in Glenville.

As early as 1833, a high school was started in a church building.
The high school moved to different locations before getting its own building in 1913.
In 1968, Glenville High School became part of the new Gilmer County High School.
Glenville State University (originally Glenville State College) was founded in 1872. It is a major part of the town's community.

Culture and Festivals

Glenville is known for its culture, especially its annual folk festival.

In 1950, a person named Patrick Gainer started the West Virginia State Folk Festival at the college.
This festival has been held every June since then. It is one of the oldest folk festivals in the United States.
The festival celebrates traditional music, crafts, and culture of West Virginia.

Images for kids

Glenville as viewed from Court Street in 2006
The Gilmer County Courthouse in Glenville

Glenville, West Virginia facts for kids

Contents