Tag: President Franklin D. Roosevelt

April 21, 1936: President Roosevelt Establishes Jefferson National Forest

On April 21, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Jefferson National Forest, located primarily in southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. It covers more than 18,000 acres in Monroe County, is part of the New River Valley and New Castle Ranger Districts, and is accessible from State Routes 15, 17, and 20. Oak-pine forests cover the forest lands, which range in elevation from 2,000 to 3,600 feet.

The main reason for creating the national forest was to prevent fires—a common occurrence due to the over-foresting of trees. Over the last 80 years, the Jefferson National Forest has thrived and incorporates many resources, including wood, water, wildlife, recreation, and livestock forage. In 2010, all caves and abandoned mines in the forest were closed to control the spread of white-nose disease among bats.

Jefferson is one of our state’s three national forests, along with the George Washington National Forest and Monogahela National Forest. Most of our country’s 155 national forests are found in the West. Only 12 percent of national forest land, including the Jefferson and Washington, is located east of the Mississippi. 

April 24, 1966: Attorney Lewis Johnson Dies in Washington, DC

Attorney Louis Johnson died in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 1966, at age 75. The native of Roanoke, Virginia, had spent most of his life in Clarksburg before moving to Washington.

In 1913, Johnson co-founded the law firm that would become Steptoe and Johnson, which remains one of the leading legal practices in West Virginia. After serving in World War I, he helped found the American Legion and became its national commander in 1932.

In 1936, Johnson campaigned for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s reelection. In return, the president named him assistant secretary of war. In his three years in the post, Johnson pushed to build up the U.S. military in preparation for World War II.

Then, in the 1948 election, Johnson chaired President Harry Truman’s finance committee, which helped engineer Truman’s surprise victory over Republican Thomas Dewey. Truman appointed Johnson as secretary of defense in 1949, but Johnson clashed with other cabinet members and tried to undermine Secretary of State Dean Acheson, leading an infuriated Truman to fire Johnson in 1950.

Today, the Veterans Administration medical center in Clarksburg is named for Louis Johnson.

October 30, 1930: First Mountain State Forest Festival Held

The first Mountain State Forest Festival began in Elkins on October 30, 1930. Since then, it has been held every October except for the years 1941 to 1949.

The festival was intended to attract tourists to the region, which is known for its hardwood trees and dazzling fall colors. It often occurs shortly before the November elections. So, it has hosted a bevy of politicians, including Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. It also has brought in a wide range of other national figures, including pilot and racing legend Eddie Rickenbacker, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and “first man on the moon” Neil Armstrong.

Typical events include performances by the Wheeling Symphony, nationally known country music acts, a fiddle contest, and dances. It also features arts-and-craft shows, wood chopping contests, old English knight tournaments, a carnival, and a fire-engine parade representing departments from across West Virginia. The culminating moment is when West Virginia’s governor crowns the new Queen Silvia.

Today, the festival, which is celebrated the first weekend in October, regularly attracts up to 150,000 visitors to the Randolph County seat.

Exit mobile version