Volcano, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Volcano
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 Volcano
Location in West Virginia
Volcano
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Wood |
| Elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS ID | 1548687 |
Volcano was once a busy oil town in Wood County, West Virginia. It was called "Volcano" because gas flares from the oil wells at night made the sky look like a volcano erupting! Sadly, a big fire destroyed the town in 1879, and it was never rebuilt. Today, it is known as a ghost town, which means a town that is empty or abandoned.
The fire happened on August 4, 1879. People believed it was set on purpose. The fire spread very quickly. Then, nearby oil tanks burst, spreading oil and fire even more throughout the town.
The Oil Boom in Volcano
Volcano was a town built around the petroleum (oil) industry. The Volcano oil field was found in 1860. From 1865 to 1870, many oil wells were drilled. They produced a heavy oil used for lubricants.
This led to West Virginia's first oil pipeline. It was built in 1879. The pipeline carried oil from Volcano all the way to Parkersburg.
Clever Pumping Methods
In 1874, a man named W.C. Stiles, Jr., invented a clever way to pump oil. He used an "endless-wire method." This system used wheels, belts, and cables. It allowed one engine to pump oil from many wells at once.
One of these systems worked for a very long time. It kept pumping oil until 1974! This shows how smart and useful his invention was.
Where Was Volcano?
The old town site of Volcano is located south of the US-50 expressway. You can find it where Wood County Routes 5 and 28 meet.
Remembering Volcano
Even though the town is gone, people still remember Volcano. Since 1893, a special dinner has been held to honor the town. There is also an event called "Volcano Days." This event features antique engines and other old machinery.
