CEREDO -- Though most people refer to Ceredo in conjunction with the town of Kenova, the small Wayne County town has a long history.
While sometimes overshadowed by the larger cities of Huntington and Ashland, Ceredo has survived by creating a strong community-oriented town that includes a number of family-owned businesses. Throughout the years, generations of families have lived and survived together based on a sense of community involvement and dedication.
Community Profile is aimed at acquainting you -- or perhaps re-acquainting you -- with the communities of the Tri-State. What are the histories? How are they different from other nearby cities, villages and neighborhoods? What are their major events?
Today's profile is of Ceredo. Stay tuned for more installments of this monthly series. To read past profiles, click the News tab, then Communities in the subnavigation.
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The information included in this community profile was collected from "The West Virginia Encyclopedia," the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the Wayne County News and "A Pictorial History of Wayne County."
Town origin
Ceredo was founded in 1857 and incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed on Feb. 22, 1866. The corporate boundaries were defined as: "Beginning at the mouth of Twelve Pole River, thence up said river forty rods to the old military line, thence due west three hundred rods, thence north to the Ohio River at the old Morgan Mill, thence up the Ohio River to the place of beginning."
Slavery and the Civil War
The town was established by Eli Thayer of Massachusetts, a member of Congress, abolitionist and leader of the free-state colonization of Kansas. The philanthropist hoped to establish a manufacturing town, bring in Northern settlers and by infiltration of abolitionists, create a sentiment against the institution of slavery.
The Civil War began before the town was firmly established. With the onslaught of war, Thayer's dream of a town based on equality failed.
Prior to 1857, a town plan had been laid out on the Morgan Farm on Virginia Point, but the project failed. Several houses had, however, been erected, and among the number who established themselves at that place was James Poteet. Pleased with Thayer's city, he moved to Ceredo in July 1857, where he became the town's first merchant.
The first house was erected by H. W. Stewart for John Roberts and George McCormack. The year 1857 witnessed the erection of a number of temporary tenements by prospective residents, and at the same time, the Ceredo Company erected what was known as the Crescent Building, designed for both school and church purposes.
First Ceredo newspaper
The Ceredo Crescent was the first newspaper to be published in Wayne County, with its inaugural issue appearing in December 1857. The weekly paper was published by W.B. Wilson and edited by C.B. Webb until its editorial stance damaged the paper.
The Crescent supported the Republican ticket, headed by Abraham Lincoln, in the fall election of 1860. The paper soon took a strong stance against seceding from the Union. The majority of advertisers and readers canceled their business with the Crescent and by the time Virginia seceded from the United States, the newspaper ceased publication.
Early history and development
The first settler in the Ceredo district was Stephen Kelly, who built his cabin at the mouth of the Big Sandy River. Mathew H. Bellomy came a little later and settled on the present site of the town of Kenova. In the next few years, other pioneers joined Kelly and Bellomy.
The first iron forge to be built in this part of West Virginia was put up at the mouth of Buffalo Creek in 1828. The forge was built by George and Jacob Coons and Stephen Wilson. The building, which housed the "county's first factory," was a 70-foot-by-40-foot structure made of slab boards. Two tilt hammers, each weighing 700 pounds, were used for forging the metal.
The first school in the Ceredo district was taught on a site in Kenova in 1813. The second was erected near Ceredo 10 years later.
The first church in the district is said to have been organized by the Rev. Burwell Spurlock, a Methodist minister, in 1833. The Washington Baptist Church was the second religious organization, and it was begun by the Rev. Wm. Davison. It is thought that neither of these congregations built houses, but held meetings with the various members.
First town officials
The first officers were mayor, Richard Brown; recorder, W. H. Stewart; councilmen, Charles A. Brown, Lafayette Brown, John Kelly, Patrick McLeese and Robert Wright; town sergeant, A. W. Brown.
Ceredo demographics
Population: 1,675
Median household income (2005): $25,800
Median house/condo value (2005): $78,900
Racial Mix: White Non-Hispanic 97.3 percent, two or more races 1.0 percent, Hispanic 0.9 percent and American Indian 0.8 percent
Leading employment industries: Males, metal and metal products, 14 percent. Females, health care, 16 percent.
Town officials
Mayor: Mose A. Napier
Council Members: Stanley Fink, recorder; Bob Leslie, treasurer; Dennis Adkins, Jim Billups, Charles Bash, Otis Adkins.
Mayor's thoughts
"I love Ceredo. I've lived here all my life and would never want to live anywhere else," said Mose A Napier, mayor of Ceredo since 1969. "We're really blessed to have so many friendly and open people in the community to communicate with."
Residents' thoughts
"It's a great place to live. It's a small town with a small town atmosphere, yet located close to Huntington and Ashland," said James Billups, a Ceredo City Council member for 31 years.
"When you're in Ceredo, you get a real sense of a community that cares," said Rocco Muriale, owner of Rocco's Ristorante in Ceredo. "The community always welcomes new people into the area with open arms."
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