Morgantown West Virginia

historic neighborhoods industry river shipping and personal rapid transit

Morgantown is located just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, 75 miles (121 km) south of Pittsburgh, 208 mi (335 km) north-northwest of Washington, D.C., 204 mi (328 km) east of Columbus and 156 miles (251 km) northeast of Charleston, WV.  

The History of Morgantown is closely tied to the Anglo-French struggle for this territory. Until the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the area was greatly contested by white settlers and Native Americans, and by British and French soldiers. Several forts were built during this time, including Fort Morgan in 1772 when Zackquill Morgan established a homestead near present-day Fayette Street and University Avenue.

The city is comprised of several neighborhoods that were once independent towns, including: First Ward, Woodburn, South Park, Jerome Park, South Hills, Second Ward, Greenmont, Suncrest, Evansdale, Wiles Hill, Sunnyside, Sabraton, the Mileground, and North Hills. While some of these are in part or entirely outside the city limits, they are still considered part of Morgantown as trolley cars determined how far people lived outside of the city.

Development of the DuPont Ordnance Works during World War II resulted in prefabricated homes being constructed in Suncrest, the names of some streets reflected the community's participation in various service organizations, such as Civitan, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary.

In 2000, the White House Millennium Council designated Suncrest as a Millennium Community

South Park is across Deckers Creek from downtown Morgantown. Originally farmland, it was one of the first suburbs of Morgantown. In the early 20^th century, South Park experienced a housing boom, with wealthy and influential citizens settling there. The neighborhood is designated a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places.

Following World War II, many new families came to Woodburn, attracted by the parkland, closeness to downtown, community atmosphere, and nearby school. In 1950, Tom and Anna Torch opened the Richwood Avenue Confectionery, a corner store and lunch counter that served beer in large Weiss goblets from the Morgantown Glassworks. When they sold the operation in 1963 to Mario and Rose Spina, the establishment was nicknamed Mario’s Fishbowl in honor of the goblets.

Transportation Morgantown relies heavily on the Monongahela River for shipping coal and other products. The river is fully navigable from its mouth at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, past Morgantown upstream to Fairmont Morgantown Lock and Dam, located in the southern part of the city.

Transit Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit PRT most of Morgantown is accessible by the Mountain Line Transit Authority bus system. The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit PRT system covers 8.65 miles (13.9 km) and has five stations.

The Museums of Colorado Springs

The Museums of Colorado Springs

Step back in time and explore the Wild West, enjoy the arts, culture and heritage of Colorado Springs and the many technological innovations in mining, agriculture and industry by visiting the museums of the Pikes Peak Region.

The Fine Arts Center, established in 1936, is home to world-class art galleries, Broadway-worthy live theatre, and an art school for all ages. Experience the art of gourmet at Taste with amazing patio views of Pikes Peak and browse the local art.

The Pioneers Museum is located downtown in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. The museum preserves the history and culture of the Pikes Peak region, and features permanent exhibits on the history of the area and changing exhibits on topics of broad interest. Also, a nationally significant collections of quilts, art pottery and the finest regional landscape art collection in Colorado. Other collections relate to Native American influences in the region, the founding of the City, the area's mining and agricultural history, its early prominence as a health resort, and its more recent significance as a center for military training and operations.

Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region a Distinctive Destination

The Cripple Creek Visitors Center a 11,600 square foot facility with hands-on exhibits improved by audio and video techniques. Immerse yourself in the old days of the World's Best Gold camp.

The Ghost Town Museum As a true preservation of Colorado’s western past, the Ghost Town Museum is a fun and historic look back at an old west town during the late 19^th and early 20^th Centuries. Lots of hands-on activities for all ages.

The Manitou Springs Heritage Center the Incline Exhibit relates the story of how the installation of a pipeline for a hydro-electric plant became a famous tourist amusement for 81 years and then was reincarnated into an even more famous location for people seeking an extreme physical challenge. 

The Western Museum of Mining and Industry preserves and interprets the rich mining history of Colorado and the American West. A collection of over 4,000 artifacts is on display at the 27-acre indoor/outdoor exhibit site, including: a ten-stamp ore mill, a multi-purpose center with exhibits, a theater and a 5,000-volume research library. An exciting and exceptional tool for learning about Colorado history, mining and industrial technology, geology, and the environment.

Rock Ledge Ranch The history of the West comes to life at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. You are invited to explore lifestyles and homes of the Pikes Peak Region's early inhabitants. Knowledgeable interpreters will assist you on your journey through one of America’s premier historic sites.

The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum for nearly two decades, the museum has been actively involved in the Colorado community and the preservation of classic and antique motorcycles and their history from around the world with a focus not only on the mechanical works of art we call motorcycles, but also on the people that have been such a huge part of the history. The names and faces of the pioneers of motorcycling and their contributions are captured in photographs and biographies throughout the museum. The display of this memorabilia ensures that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the history of early American two-wheeled ingenuity and preserve its legacy.

The Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation Colorado Springs’ first streetcar service was powered by horses. Initiated in 1887, the Colorado Springs & Manitou Street Railway Company line ran from Colorado College to the Central Business District. By 1888, a second line to the west was completed from the Santa Fe depot to 8th Street, and by 1889, the line along Tejon was extended north to Fontanero. At its peak, a total of 10 horse-drawn trolley cars operated in the city. In 1890, the Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Railway began the process of replacing the horse car lines with electric power, a system that numbered 44 electric cars by 1900; at its peak, the system covered 41 miles. In 1931, buses began replacing streetcars. Streetcar service ended shortly thereafter.

The Peterson Air and Space Museum was contained in one small building—the original airport passenger terminal for the City of Colorado Springs and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That same year, Colorado designated those buildings as a state historic district. Today, the museum is located right in the center of that 8.3 acre historic district on Peterson Air Force Base. The original Passenger Terminal, City Hangar and Broad- moor Hangar all have exhibits inside and anchor the award winning airpark.

Museum Travel Itineraries in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region

 with Knowledge Tourism

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