Wayne County was officially founded in 1842, but the area's history dates back centuries to when it was inhabited by Native Americans.
In fact, there was no white settlement in the area until after 1794 because of the constant threat of Native American attack. It only became safe for settlement through a defeat of the Shawnee at the Battle of Fallen Timbers by Gen. Anthony Wayne, for whom the county was named.
When the first permanent settlers came to Wayne County around 1800, the area was part of Kanawha County, Va. It later became part of Cabell County, Va., before becoming Wayne County, Va., in 1842. In 1863, West Virginia was accepted into the Union.
The first county government was organized in 1842, and the first county seat was on the farm of Abraham Trout.
Today, Wayne County encompasses 517 square miles, of which 1.25 percent is water. Besides bordering the Ohio River, waterways found in Wayne County include the Big Sandy River, Twelvepole Creek, Beech Fork Lake, East Lynn Lake and Tug Fork, a tributary of the Big Sandy River.
Wayne County also is home to Camden Park, which opened in 1903 as a picnic spot along the Camden Interstate Railway street car line between Huntington and Ashland, Ky. It's the only amusement park in the state.
Wayne County also provides great outdoor excursions, from Camp Mad Anthony Wayne and Beech Fork State Park to Easy Lynn Lake and Dam and Cabwaylingo State Forest. The county also is home to Ceredo Historical Museum and Z.D. Ramsdell House.
Points of interest
CAMP MAD ANTHONY WAYNE: An 80-acre park on Spring Valley Drive that is part of the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. It has walking trails, a disc golf course and renovated cabins. (304) 696-5954.
BEECH FORK STATE PARK: Opened in 1979, the state park has more than 3,000 acres of land offering camping, cabins and other recreational activities. (304) 528-5794.
SUGARWOOD GOLF COURSE: An 18-hole championship golf course in Lavalette that offers a watering system, cart paths and clubhouse. (304) 523-6500.
CABWAYLINGO STATE FOREST: Located at Dunlow in the southern part of the county, the forest offers cabins, camping, fishing, hunting and hiking trails. (304) 385-4255.
CAMDEN PARK: A 104-year-old amusement park just beyond the Huntington city limits, and the only one of its kind in the state.
CEREDO HISTORICAL MUSEUM: Located at 501 Main St., in Ceredo, the museum features local records and artifacts. (304) 453-3025.
Z.D. RAMSDELL HOUSE: Located in Ceredo, the historic house, built in 1858, was once home to Union Capt. Z. D. Ramsdell. On display is Civil War memorabilia, period antiques and Civil War Records. (304) 453-2482.
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