Chester, West Virginia

History

Chester was founded in 1896 and incorporated in 1907. The town was established by lawyer J.E. McDonald from neighboring East Liverpool, Ohio. The origin of the name Chester is uncertain, although it may be a transfer from Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The town grew in the early 20th century, led primarily by the pottery industry founded in nearby East Liverpool. The Taylor, Smith & Taylor Company was the leading manufacturer in Chester, employing over 800 people at one time. Another large employer was the steel-manufacturing Chester Rolling Mill Company.

Rock Springs Park was a small amusement park founded by McDonald in 1897 and home to various rides, a swimming pool, a lake, a small zoo, and live performances. It closed in 1970 for the expansion of U.S. Route 30 through Chester.

The Chester teapot attraction was purchased by Wilford Devon in 1938 and moved to Chester from Carnegie, Pennsylvania. It served as a barrel-shaped food stand with soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, and soft drinks until it was moved and remodeled to its current location in 1990. The attraction is billed as the "world's largest teapot". The teapot has been featured in depictions of West Virginia, such as the 2018 video game Fallout 76.

Geography

Chester is located at (40.612792, -80.562771). At the outbreak of hostilities of the Civil War in April 1861, this location was part of Virginia and was the northernmost point in any slave state. Chester remains the northernmost point in the Southern United States, as defined by the United States Census Bureau.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, all land.

Demographics

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2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,585 people, 1,209 households, and 696 families living in the city. The population density was 2585.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,381 housing units at an average density of 1381.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 1,209 households, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,592 people, 1,160 households, and 725 families living in the city. The population density was 2,705.1 people per square mile (1,042.5/km2). There were 1,289 housing units at an average density of 1,345.2 per square mile (518.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.77% White, 0.15% African American, 0.23% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 1,160 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,550, and the median income for a family was $37,672. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $18,724 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,137. About 8.1% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Children in Chester are served by the Hancock County School District. There is one elementary school in the city, Allen T. Allison Elementary School, with students attending middle school and Oak Glen High School outside the city. The former Chester High School opened in 1926 and is currently used as the city's municipal building.

Transportation

U.S. Route 30 enters Chester via the Jennings Randolph Bridge, which carries the route across the Ohio River from East Liverpool, Ohio. After about 0.4 mi, the highway has an interchange with West Virginia Route 2 before exiting the city towards Pennsylvania. WV 2 marks the city's main street, Carolina Avenue, and travels westward to Newell.

Notable people

• Dale Baird, American thoroughbred horse racing trainer, 15 time U.S. Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by wins
• Herb Coleman, American football player
• Daniel Johnston, significant outsider and lo-fi music singer and songwriter, artist
• Jim Jordan, basketball player
• Win Mercer, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Michael Paris, WWE Wrestler
• Scott Paulsen, radio personality, former host of The DVE Morning Show and columnist
• Randy Swartzmiller, member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 1st district

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". US Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
5. [[West Virginia Legislature]]. (2018). "West Virginia Blue Book, 2017-2018". West Virginia Legislature.
6. Joseph A. Comm. (April 9, 2012). "Who Named Chester and When Was It Founded?".
7. LaurelHollowPark.net. "Chester Rolling Mill Co.".
8. Roy Cashdollar. (October 30, 1997). "Historical Chester: Historical Compilation by Roy Cashdollar".
9. Rather, Joey. (April 10, 2025). "Texas business dethrones West Virginia for 'World's Largest Teapot'".
10. Lynn Murray Memorial Public Library. "History of "The World's Largest Teapot"".
11. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
13. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing".
14. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. "Home - Hancock County Schools". Hancock County Schools.
16. Gonzalez, Mark. (February 26, 1997). "Chester High & The Municipal Building".
17. "Overview Map of U.S. Route 30 in West Virginia".
18. (1979). "The Baseball Encyclopedia". Macmillan Publishing.