Picturesque
City
While our picturesque city is a year-round destination, spring
and summer offer added delights. Those who come in late April
and May can delight in the abundance of colorful blooming Azalea
and Dogwood which are trademarks of the residential area. By
mid-summer, the renowned Rose Garden of Ritter Park is in full
bloom ready for weddings, garden parties and guided tours. Terraced
along the park's most eastern border, the Rose Garden presents
just one of the many pleasures in the lush park. A natural amphitheater
serves as a setting for weekend entertainment that features
outdoor
drama,
classical music and contemporary music concerts.
Perfect
Setting for Group Functions
Winding up the hills from the park, you will see the Huntington
Museum of Art which boasts collections of the masters, the Impressionists
and American history. Also a setting for entertainment, the
museum is host to touring groups of well-known entertainers.
Along Huntington's main port is the Harris Riverfront Park with
yet another amphitheater for summer-long entertainment and festivals.
In July, the river is celebrated at Summerfest, a week-long
festival and top-notch entertainment.
Hand Blown Glass Factory
One of the best shopping deals in the Mid-Atlantic is to be
found at its hand-blown glass factory. A short jaunt down Interstate
64 leads you to Blenko Glass Factory, the home of some of the
World's most prestigious stained glass art and the makers of
Country Music Awards. Tours of the factory and the museum are
available, and the gift shop features the multi-colored, heavy
glass art that makes Blenko a favorite in retail shops throughout
the nation. Priced significantly below retail, the shop is a
buyer's delight. And Blenko offers shipping to help the traveler
avoid transporting the glass for the rest of the trip.
Bistros
and Chic Shops
The residents of Huntington can be found enjoying the many fine
bistros and chic shops which are centered downtown. An antique
steam powered train holds permanent residence at Heritage Village.
World
Renowned Entertainment
Other specialties of the Huntington area include an authentic
Mexican restaurant that has received regional acclaim, several
seafood restaurants and numerous college town bistros. The city's
Civic Arena and Veteran's Memorial Fieldhouse is host to world
renowned entertainment throughout the year. Easily accessible
and possessing all the amenities, Huntington presents an excellent
destination or stopover for travelers.
History
Just Around The Corner in Barboursville
Located
near the junction of the mud and Guyandotte Rivers, the Barboursville
area was a crossroads for Shawnee Indians. Hunting plentiful
game and mining the Salt near Salt Rock, West Virginia, they
along with the buffalo established early, well-used trails.
In 1813, an act of the General Assembly established Barboursville,
a village of 339 people. Barboursville served as the center
of political activity until after the Civil War and the completion
of the C&O Railroad to Huntington.
In
1888, the Cabell County records, ledgers, papers and books were
moved to Huntington ending 75 years as the County Seat. In 1930,
Route 60 bypassed the village and with river and rail business
disappearing, Barboursville became a quiet, residential setting
of historic homes. Today, Barboursville is the home of the state's
largest shopping mall. You can travel back in time with a historic
walking tour of Barboursville which features 36 points of interest
including homes, banks, business and other historic sites.
The
Heart Of Central City Is History
In the early 1890's Central City was born. Later incorporated
into the city of Huntington, Central City began as several farms
and flourished into a remarkable little city. A wide variety
of manufacturers located here, finding it an ideal location
offering good transportation facilities, abundant raw materials
and low cost fuel. Central City contained many different industries,
including several no place in the world could match. Among these
were the Bung Factory, the chain factory and the Art Glass Company.
Old Central today offers a wealth of historic homes, some dating
back to the 1890's. An antique district to rival any in the
state is also found in this area as well as Central City Market.
As you watch the modern automobiles whiz up and down the streets
of old Central City, it is difficult to believe that at one
time citizens were forbidden to travel at a speed limit of not
more than eight miles an hour.
A
Little Bit About Milton
On September 16, 1876, the Town of Milton was incorporated.
In January of the same year a covered bridge was opened, which
was used to provide access from James River Turnpike to the
newly established Town. Historic Union Baptist Church which
was organized in 1810 and was used during the Civil War by Union
troops who occupied the building as a military post. In 1922
Blenko Glass company was founded and is still in operation today.
In the 1930's Morris Memorial Hospital was constructed, which
became nationally recognized for its treatment of polio. Now
the buildings are used by Morris Memorial Convalescent and Nursing
Home. Today Milton is a thriving community hosting the West
Virginia Pumpkin festival and the Cabell County Fair. All are
easily accessible from US Route 60 and Interstate 64.