Tag: Lilly Bridge

Record-Breaking Lilly Family Reunion Returns This August

A summer tradition for many families is back after being cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s the annual Lilly family reunion in Southern West Virginia — but you don’t really have to be a Lilly to attend.The gathering was once the largest family reunion in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2009, they set the record with more than 2,5000 registered Lillys.

This number did include a proven connection to the family, rather it be blood, adoption or marriage.The family has been working on the reunion grounds in Flat Top in Raleigh County to prepare for visitors from all 50 states, according to a news release.The first Lilly Reunion was held in 1929 and it continued annually until 1949. Many of the Lillys were forced by the US government to leave their community when the Bluestone Dam was built during the 1940’s.

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Lilly Reunion
Early Lilly reunion

The family reconnected and revived the reunion in 1978 and have held it each year since. The reunion will include scheduled events over three days in August. Some of the plans include live music, a genealogy booth, the souvenir booth and a magician at no charge. There will also be food available for purchase.

Construction Project Bridges Lilly History

A bridge commemorating a village settled in Summers County in 1772, is being replaced. But the project is providing more than just a new bridge for vehicle traffic.

The Project

Andy Powell, District 9 Project Engineer for the West Virginia Division Highways says the bridge needed to be replaced for safety and financial reasons.

The height and weight limits are set for trucks during the 1950’s. Powell points out that trucks are larger these days.  The new bridge will be stronger and be able to carry heavier loads.

Credit Jessica Lilly
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Construction crews are removing material from this hill side and will move to help build a new boat dock.

The $29 million project will also give a boost to the recreational community. The material that’s being taken basically off a mountain to widen the road will be relocated to help provide a wider boating dock area. The current lake access off of route 20 is said to have a steep angle that’s tough to navigate.

The 1200 feet long bridge is expected to open to traffic by summer of 2015, completion of the whole project is set for completion by June 30, 2016.

Bridging History

The existing Lilly Bridge was built in 1950. The bridge was built around the same time as the Bluestone Dam when about 50 families were forced to move because the federal government worried that the creation of the dam would flood the Village of Lilly, hence the name the Lilly Bridge. 

According to the Lilly Family History records, Lilly was a Village at the Bluestone and Little Bluestone Rivers in Summers County settled in 1772.

“It was said that they came here with a rifle, a bible and an ax to settle this rugged area,” National Park Ranger Teena Lilly said in the West Virginia Public Broadcasting documentary “Three Rivers”. 

“The graves were exhumed, families were moved, and homes were torn down because they believed that Lilly would be under water.”

Very little remains of the actual village since the Federal Government forced residents off the land. The family is left with the bridge and a monument to remember their homeland. The new bridge will keep the Lilly name.

Credit Jessica Lilly
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The new bridge will keep the Lilly name.
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