HUNTINGTON'S FASCINATING HISTORY
Huntington sits on the mid-section of the scenic and historic Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. Our city is home to some 56,000 citizens and serves a Tri-State area of 365,000 persons.
Huntington is the turn-of-the-century railroad kingdom named for its founder, Collis P. Huntington. He was builder, owner and operator of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, beginning in the 1860's. Collis P. Huntington was known as 'The Great Persuader' because of his aptitude as a natural born salesman. In 1862, Collis P. Huntington was able to convince Congress to designate the Central Pacific as the western end of the long-dreamed transcontinental railroad. He spent seven years struggling with the tremendous task of pushing the Central Pacific through the mountains to link it with the Union Pacific. In 1884, he became the first man in the United States to ride his own railroad car from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific over tracks he either owned or controlled.
HERITAGE VILLAGE
Heritage Village was built from the old Ohio River Railroad Depot as a memento of Huntington's railroad history. A bronze statue of Collis P. Huntington, sculpted by Gutzom Borglum (who also sculpted Mount Rushmore) stood in the courtyard of the village as a reflection of the days at the turn of the century when Huntington was the transportation center of the East. The staue, moved in 2005, now resides in front of CSX Railroad offices located at 7th Avenue and 10th Street, Huntington.
Heritage Village was opened in 1977, the historic structures are adapted to modern retail uses based on the theme of our railroad heritage. The Village features an old steam locomotive and Pullman car, warehouses and boxcars filled with charming shops, an original Victorian passenger station -- which is one of Huntington's most unique dining establishments, the Old Bank of Huntington, and a gazebo for Village entertainment.
The Old Bank of Huntington has an interesting history. On September 8, 1875, only two months after the bank received its charter, the bank was robbed by the notorious Jesse James Gang. The Old Bank building stands in Heritage Village now and features the original teller's cage grillwork. Originally located on Third Avenue, the bank was moved to Heritage Village.
Tyson has served as President of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau since February of 2009. Tyson came to Huntington from the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Kentucky where he was marketing director for fourteen years. Prior to that he lived in Los Angeles where he was Marketing Director for a magazine publishing group for ten years.
Tyson serves on the boards of Leadership Tri-State, the Southeast Tourism Society, Create Huntington Board of Connectors, Youth Leadership and Clear Channel Radio Local Advisory Board. He is also a member of Huntington Rotary and the Country Music Highway Action Team.
In 2006, Tyson received the Most Valuable Participant Award from U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and TOUR SEKY for his work in promoting Ashland and the Country Music Highway National Scenic Byway. In 2008, Tyson received the VIP Award from Congressman Rogers for his efforts in film tourism, the culmination of which brought Ashley Judd to the Paramount to host a fund raiser for the venue's film division.
Tyson has been a freelance writer for twenty years and before leaving California, he was editor of Where-Los Angeles, a travel guide for the city. Also while in Los Angeles, Tyson sold a motion picture screenplay and wrote an episode each for the television series "Murphy Brown" and "Just Shoot Me." In the late 90s, Tyson hosted a cable series that took a look at the entertainment world behind the scenes.
Born and raised in Louisa, Kentucky, Tyson now calls Huntington home. "For me, there is no better place to be than in Huntington and Cabell County," he said. "This is such an exciting city right now and I love being able to share that with our guests!"
Will is joining the CVB after recently graduating from Marshall University's Political Science and Psychology graduate programs. Will, a Parkersburg West Virginia native, first came to Huntington in 2004 when enrolling at MU and fell in love with the city almost instantly.
Will has served his city by being an active member of HARC and the Huntington Community Gardens whose flowers and gardens around the area have enhanced the aesthetics of the already beautiful town. Will is also very excited to have a position with an organization whose primary goal is to draw visitors to Cabell County and exposing its gems, history, culture, and local favorites.
Kelli Crabtree was born and reared in Huntington, WV. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from West Virginia University. After graduating, she lived in Gaithersburg, Maryland for several years where she was the Program Coordinator for a domestic violence transitional home and dabbled in financial planning. Upon moving back to Huntington, Kelli immediately immersed herself in the community both with her work and volunteerism. Before becoming a member of the CVB team, she worked as a caretaker at Golden Girl Group Home then as the Disaster Services Coordinator for Western West Virginia with the American Red Cross. Kelli is currently a member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church where she is a Stephen Minister and sits on the Missions & Ministries Commission, the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee, and the Board of Directors for TEAM for WV Children and the Cabell/Wayne Emergency Food and Shelter Committee. Kelli is also currently working on her Masters of Counseling from Marshall University and Continuing Education Certificate in Nonprofit Management from West Virginia University.
Emily is a graduate of Shawnee State University, Emily has earned an Associate's Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor's Degree in Business. She was an intern at the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau before becoming the full time Office Manager in the Summer of 2011.
Jeanette Jenkins is our step-on tour guide. She was born and raised in Huntington and loves to meet people and tell them about her beautiful city.
Elaine is the Manager of The Red Caboose. She joined the team at the CVB in 2011.
