Taylor County, West Virginia
| Taylor County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Location in the U.S. state of West Virginia |
|
 West Virginia's location in the U.S. |
|
| Founded | January 19, 1844 |
| Named for | John Taylor of Caroline |
| Seat | Grafton |
| Largest city | Grafton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 176 sq mi (456 km2) |
| • Land | 173 sq mi (448 km2) |
| • Water | 2.9 sq mi (8 km2), 1.7% |
| Population (est.) | |
| • (2015) | 16,912 |
| • Density | 99/sq mi (38/km²) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website | www |
Taylor County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,895. Its county seat is Grafton. The county was formed in 1844. and named for Senator John Taylor of Caroline
Taylor County is part of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area.
This area was populated by the Adena culture in the Pre-Columbian Woodland period of the Native Americans in the United States.
Some of the first Europeans to visit the area are thought to have been British Army deserters from Fort Pitt, who reportedly fled their post in 1761 during the French and Indian War and roamed northwestern Virginia for several years thereafter. A European trader with the Hudson's Bay Company reportedly set foot in these lands as early as 1764.
Pruntytown is the oldest known white settlement in what is now Taylor County. Initially known as Cross Roads, on January 1, 1801 it was renamed Williamsport in honor of Abraham Williams, a longtime resident. The name was changed again on January 23, 1845 to honor pioneer resident John Prunty. This town served as the county seat of government from the county's founding in 1844 until a county election in 1878 moved that honor to Grafton, West Virginia.
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