Discover Morgantown

Monongalia County was established in 1776 three months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At the time that Governor Patrick Henry signed the charter for Monongalia County the area was part of Virginia and extended into what is today Pennsylvania.

In 1768 Zackquill Morgan and his followers organized a settlement with a series of forts for protection. Morgantown was chartered as the county seat in 1785 by the Virginia Assembly. Morgantown was named after its founder who deeded fifty acres that were divided into half acre lots. Located on the Monongahela River the town now covers over four thousand acres. Monongalia County is located in the north central part of West Virginia along the Pennsylvania border. The land is drained by the Cheat and Monongahela Rivers. Morgantown, the county seat, is the educational, medical, and cultural center of the region. Morgantown is home to West Virginia University, the largest institution of higher learning in the state. An innovating method of transportation, the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) provides transportation to and from major areas of the West Virginia University campus aiding in the transportation of students. Morgantown and Monongalia County offer "Mountains of Opportunity" for business development and expansion. Morgantown is one of the major growth areas in the State. The presence of West Virginia University, a large health care industry, and the recent growth of the high-tech "Software Valley" development along I-79 help to insure a bright and prosperous economic future for the Morgantown area. Morgantown is located on I-79 in the north central part of West Virginia. It is located within easy driving distance of Washingon D.C., Pittsburgh PA, and Columbus OH. Distances to other nearby cities:

Morgantown has a moderate climate with average temperatures of 73.2° F in summer and 27° F in winter. The average annual rainfall is 33.94 inches yearly. Check out the "Regional Links" section of our Community Resources page for some other interesting sites relating to Morgantown.