Seventy-year-old David McKain, oil and gas historian and director of Parkersburg's Oil and Gas Museum is at it again.
It is a new book "The Civil War and Northwestern Virginia." The book is the result of several years of research and questions that came up during work on an earlier book "Where It All Began." That book is about the history of the oil and gas industry in the mid-Ohio valley.
McKain said "It's Virginia propaganda, that West Virginia's creation was an illegal act. "It is important for someone to stand up and say this is bull."
Some of the first discussions which would lead to statehood were held in Parkersburg. One popular place was the Swann House located on the Point.
McKain said he wanted to "give West Virginia and the citizens of Parkersburg due credit for their huge accomplishments" during the Civil War, indicating Parkersburg's role in the state's creation has been largely ignored by historians.
He said half of the men who played a big role in the formation of West Virginia were from Parkersburg. There was money and political power used by Parkersburg oil businessmen that was instrumental in the state's creation.
The Union Army wouldn't let the Rebels come near Parkersburg, because of its importance. The town was guarded by a cannon on Fort Boreman Hill and a cadre of nearby Union soldiers.
McKain said at least six Confederate attacks were stopped before the raiders could reach Parkersburg.
McCain is the curator of the Oil and Gas Museum in Parkersburg and the development of the park at the Rathbone well at Burning Springs.
Photo courtesy of www.little-mountain.com/oilandgasmuseum
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