Williamstown, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williamstown, West Virginia
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Highland Avenue in Williamstown in 2007, as viewed from the south end of the Williamstown Bridge
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Location of Williamstown in Wood County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Wood |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.81 sq mi (4.69 km2) |
| • Land | 1.49 sq mi (3.86 km2) |
| • Water | 0.32 sq mi (0.82 km2) |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,997 |
| • Density | 2,011/sq mi (776.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26187
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| Area code(s) | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-87556 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2390675 |
Williamstown is a small city located in Wood County, West Virginia. It sits right along the Ohio River, which forms the border with Ohio. This city is part of the larger Parkersburg–Vienna metropolitan area. In 2020, about 2,997 people lived here. Williamstown was once home to the famous Fenton Art Glass Company, which made beautiful handmade glass.
Contents
History of Williamstown
Williamstown got its name from a man named Isaac Williams. He was born in 1737 and died in 1820. Isaac Williams moved to this area in 1787. He had a brave past, serving as a ranger and spy for General Braddock in 1755. He also fought against the Shawnee people in 1774.
His home was on a large piece of land, about 400 acres, right by the Ohio River. This spot was across from where the Muskingum River flows into the Ohio. The city of Marietta, Ohio, was founded near there about a year after Isaac Williams arrived. Other places in the area, like Williams Creek, are also named after him. For a while, river travelers called the settlement "Williamsport." But in 1822, its official name became Williamstown.
Two important historic places are connected to Williamstown. The Tomlinson Mansion is located right in the city. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Also, nearby is the Henderson Hall Historic District, which is another historic site.
Geography and Climate
Williamstown covers a total area of about 1.79 square miles (4.69 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.38 square miles (3.86 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.41 square miles (0.82 square kilometers), is water, mainly from the Ohio River.
The city is located across the Ohio River from Marietta, Ohio. To the south, it borders Boaz, West Virginia. Williamstown is about 14 miles north of Parkersburg, West Virginia. The major highway Interstate 77 passes through the very edge of the city.
What is the Climate Like?
Williamstown has a climate where temperatures are usually warm, and rain falls fairly evenly throughout the year. This type of weather is called a Humid continental climate. It means the area gets all four seasons, with warm summers and cold winters.
| Climate data for Williamstown, West Virginia | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37 (3) |
39 (4) |
43 (6) |
53 (12) |
65 (18) |
74 (23) |
82 (28) |
85 (29) |
77 (25) |
66 (19) |
54 (12) |
43 (6) |
64 (18) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23 (−5) |
25 (−4) |
33 (1) |
42 (6) |
51 (11) |
60 (16) |
64 (18) |
63 (17) |
56 (13) |
44 (7) |
36 (2) |
27 (−3) |
44 (7) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.2 (81) |
2.8 (71) |
3.8 (97) |
3.4 (86) |
4 (100) |
3.8 (97) |
4.4 (110) |
3.8 (97) |
3 (76) |
2.8 (71) |
3.1 (79) |
3 (76) |
41.1 (1,040) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Williamstown?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 209 | — | |
| 1870 | 282 | 34.9% | |
| 1880 | 198 | −29.8% | |
| 1890 | 376 | 89.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,139 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,793 | 57.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,657 | −7.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,687 | 1.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,001 | 18.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,632 | 31.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,743 | 4.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,095 | 12.8% | |
| 1990 | 2,774 | −10.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,996 | 8.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,908 | −2.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,997 | 3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,908 people living in Williamstown. These people lived in 1,254 households. About 30% of these households had children under 18 living there. Most households were married couples living together.
The average age of people in Williamstown was 44 years old. About 21.8% of the residents were under 18. About 18.2% were 65 years old or older. Slightly more than half of the population (53.1%) was female.
Education in Williamstown
Students in Williamstown attend schools that are part of the local school system. The main high school is Williamstown High School. Its sports teams are known as the "Yellowjackets." About 702 students go to this high school.
Before 2020, there were two elementary schools that sent students to Williamstown High: Waverly Elementary and the old Williamstown Elementary. Now, there is one combined school called Williamstown-Waverly Elementary. It opened in Williamstown in 2020.
There is also a private school in the city called Wood County Christian School. It teaches students from pre-kindergarten all the way up to twelfth grade.
Fun Things to Do: Culture and Events
Williamstown is known for some fun community events!
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
Since 1976, the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival has been a big event. It takes place on both sides of the Ohio River, in Williamstown and in Marietta, Ohio. This festival celebrates the old-fashioned sternwheelers, which are boats with a large paddle wheel at the back.
The festival happens around Labor Day weekend in September. You can see boat races, enjoy live music, and eat tasty food. A huge fireworks show lights up the sky. Many people who used to live in the area come back home for this special celebration. You can learn more about it at its official website: http://www.ohioriversternwheelfestival.org/.
Fireman's Ice Cream Social
Another beloved event is the Fireman's Ice Cream Social. The first one was held in 1944. This event is a big "homecoming" for people who live in Williamstown now and those who used to live there. It happens every year on the third Friday evening in July.
Around 3,500 people gather in Tomlinson Park for the social. They enjoy hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks. Community members donate delicious pies and cakes. The volunteer firefighters provide over one hundred gallons of ice cream! This event brings everyone together and helps raise money for firefighter training and new equipment. It raises about $8,000 each year.
High School Alumni Dinner
The day after the Ice Cream Social, the Williamstown High School Alumni Association holds its Annual Dinner. This dinner is for all past students of Williamstown High. Many class reunions also happen during this same July weekend.
Fenton Art Glass Company
The Fenton Art Glass Company was a very important part of Williamstown's history. Two brothers, Frank L. and John W. Fenton, started it in 1905. For a long time, it was the largest maker of handmade glass in the United States. Family members from the third and fourth generations continued to run the company.
In 2007, Fenton Art Glass announced they would close their factory. However, many loyal customers quickly placed orders. This helped the company stay open for a while longer. They offered factory tours and sold their glass online and through catalogs.
Sadly, Fenton Art Glass officially stopped making traditional glass products on May 24, 2012. They sold their name, logo, glass formulas, and molds. But the company didn't disappear completely! Today, Fenton makes handcrafted glass jewelry. This includes beads and Teardrop earrings. They use many of the classic Fenton colors and styles that collectors love.
In 2017, the Wood County Board of Education bought the old factory building and land. They plan to build a new elementary school there.
Images for kids
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Highland Avenue in Williamstown in 2007, as viewed from the south end of the Williamstown Bridge
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Location of Williamstown in Wood County, West Virginia.
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Williamstown Bridge
See also
In Spanish: Williamstown (Virginia Occidental) para niños
