Grafton (West Virginia) is a city in north central West Virginia. It is the county seat of Taylor County. It is believed to be the location where the first Civil War fatality occurred, when Union private Thornsbury Bailey Brown was shot on May 22, 1861. What put Grafton on the map was the railroad.
But what Grafton is probably best known for is that Mothers Day was founded here in 1908.
Get in
Get around
See
- International Mother's Day Shrine, 11 E Main St, 39.3407°, -80.0185°, +1 304-265-1589. A historic church where Mother's Day was first observed, in the early 1900s.
- Grafton National Cemetery, 353-401 Walnut St, 39.3364°, -80.03°, +1 304-265-2044. Dawn-dusk. Resting place for over 1500 Union and 600 unidentified Civil War military personnel, including Thornsbury Bailey Brown, presumed to be the first Civil War fatality. 2021-12-04
- B&O Railroad Station, 100 Main St. Historic train depot.
Do
- Tygart Lake State Park, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, 39.3044°, -80.0222°, +1 304-265-6144, TygartLakeInfo@wv.gov. Daily 7AM-10PM. This pristine recreation area was developed after the Tygart River was dammed. Boating and camping are some of the options here. 2021-12-04
Buy
Eat
- Lesa's Place, Rt. 50 (W of the tygart river bridge), +1 304-265-1995. Daily 7AM-2PM. Breakfast and lunch. Sandwiches and salads $
Drink
Sleep
Try a campsite, cabin, or room at the lodge at Tygart Lake State Park.