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LABOR DAY FESTIVITIES IN ROWLESBURG
Labor Day Weekend will be a smashing success again in 2008, despite the price of gasoline. From Saturday through Monday, the town of Rowlesburg is a flurry of activity with the depot dedication, model railroad train displays, bicycle road trip, carnival rides, trips to Cannon Hill, socializing in the RRC tent, lots of food, duck race, ox roast and fireworks. Many thanks to Phil and Mary Wotring for many of the photos on this page. We are grateful that former and current Rowlesburgers share their stories and photos. If you have some to share, please email me.

Phil Wotring (RHS-1959) is the great-great grandson of Peter Wotring whose oxen hauled the cannon up Cannon Hill to defend the town and railroad bridge from the Confederates in 1863.

 Ed Braithwood with his model train at Railroad Day during the Labor Day festivities. pw
Walter (Bud) Shaver, Lucille Miner Grimm, and Betty Snider Shaver
Ladies at the top of Cannon Hill. pw With her back to camera is Mary Wotring. Others not identified.
Tim Weaver at depot dedication. pw
 
New museum in town. Greatest Generation WW II display in tent. Visit the website.
 
"Dutch" Bolyard and "Inky" Pyles entertain at the Ox Roast.
On display at the depot are two B&O model trains donated to RAHS by RRC and installed by Walter Shaver. They run along tracks built around the upper perimeter of the depot, with tunnels and all. Also housed in the depot are a wealth of photos, items of historical significance, railroad memorabilia, and some original depot furnishings, all in the capable hands of Curator Lucille Grimm.
The Greatest Generation Society World War II museum.
Jef and Maggie Verswyvel, owners of The Black Box, will display war memorabilia in their new headquarters in the old Sanders Sawmill location. This will be a real tourist destination for Rowlesburg!
The caboose (pictured below) was donated to RAHS by Harlan Castle of Cool Springs and transported to it's site at the depot by Timothy Weaver. With help from volunteers and out of pocket expense, Tim also gave the caboose new windows and fresh paint to make it a spectacular addition to the town of Rowlesburg.
 
Joycelyn and Lucille at depot dedication.
Lee and Gloria Waybright. pw
 red caboose
View of Rowlesburg from Cannon Hill. pw
Cheat River by the park. pw
QuickTime movie of fireworks over Cheat River on Labor Day/2005 as seen from Joe's Place. pw
Anna Nassif, Jack Goff, John Wiles, and Dallas (Biff) Wolfe
 
The Wiles Sisters in Main Street Garden
 
Doris Wolfe Rooks
 
Joycelyn Ayersman and Lucille Grimm honor Walter Shaver
 
RAHS honors Robert Ayersman (man walking in foreground is James Gary '52)
Cheyenne on Cannon Hill. pw
 
Antique Car Show at park pw

 

Our own Sam Bulford (RHS 1951) is a singer and songwriter. He has a great album of country and gospel music. Click on the arrow on the left to hear a portion of "My Hometown".

Car Show pw

HOME HISTORIC DISTRICT  ROWLESBURG, WV 
RHS PROJECT  MEMBERSHIP  HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
RAILS TO TRAILS MAIN STREET GARDEN  TRAY RUN VIADUCT 
ABOUT US   ROWLESBURG PARK  ARCHIVES