Harrison County

Harrison County is an administrative division in north-central West Virginia with Clarksburg as its county seat. The area contains multiple historic districts and communities shaped by coal mining and early settlement patterns.

The county was created in 1784 from Monongalia County territory and named after Benjamin Harrison V, a Virginia governor. The region became instrumental in the industrialization of the Appalachian basin through coal extraction in the 1800s.

Coal mining shaped the identity of communities here for generations, influencing how people built their towns and organized their lives. The mining heritage remains visible in local architecture and the ways residents connect to the land.

The region connects easily to major routes linking Cincinnati and Washington DC, located south of Pittsburgh. Plan for travel time between scattered communities and consider seasonal changes when timing your visit.

The territory underwent multiple boundary changes between 1784 and 1871, leading to the creation of eight neighboring counties. These territorial shifts make it essential to understanding how the region's administrative structure evolved over time.

Location: West Virginia

Inception: May 3, 1784

Capital city: Clarksburg

Shares border with: Marion County, Lewis County, Upshur County, Taylor County, Barbour County, Doddridge County, Wetzel County

Website: http://harrisoncountywv.com

GPS coordinates: 39.29000,-80.38000

Latest update: December 23, 2025 02:20