FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Wednesday marked the 173rd birthday for Marion County, which was celebrated with a reception following the weekly Marion County Commission meeting in the J. Harper Meredith building.
The founding of Marion County was the dream of Boaz Fleming, who is regarded as the father of Marion County.
Fleming had to pay taxes in both Monongalia and Harrison counties in what was then Virginia, and wanted to form his own county in order to save himself two long trips just to pay taxes.
In order to do this and form a county, a city would need to serve as the county seat. With towns in Mannington and Rivesville not interested in becoming the county seat, Fleming decided to develop Middletown to take the seat.
Twelve years after Fleming’s death, Middletown prospered and became the county seat for Marion County, fulfilling Fleming’s dream. Middletown changed its name to Fairmont the following year.
The event Wednesday was held to celebrate not only the founding of Marion County, but also all the history that has taken place in the region since…