I was on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website recently. While on the website, I noticed some interesting tabs. For instance, if you hit the Secretary’s Desk tab, you can read about the history of the Secretaries of States from 1863 to present. I found some interesting facts regarding West Virginia.
- The first brick street in the world was laid in Charleston on October 23, 1870 on Summers Street.
- The nation’s largest and oldest burial ground is located in Moundsville.
- Weirton is the only city in the U.S. that extends from one state border to another.
- The 1500 Block of Virginia Street in Charleston is considered the longest city block in the world.
- Coal House, the only residence in the world built entirely of coal, is located in White Sulphur Springs.
According to onlyinyourstate.com, some strange old West Virginia laws include:
- Whistling underwater is prohibited.
- Roadkill may be taken home for supper.
- For each act of public swearing, a person shall be fined one dollar.
- When a railroad passes within 1 mile of a community of 100 or more people in it, they must build a station and stop there regularly to pick up and drop off passengers.
- It is illegal to snooze on a train.
- A tax of 1 cent is levied for every 16 and 9 ounce containers of coke sold in a store.
- A person may not hold public office if he or she has ever participated in a duel.
- You cannot walk a lion, tiger or leopard, even on a leash.