1852–1854
Newburg's railroad-era name changes
Wiley says the settlement was called “88” in 1852, Simpson's Water Station in 1853, and Newburg in 1854, tracing how the railroad stop acquired its lasting name.
Open event and sourcesA Preston County community
Newburg
Newburg’s timeline is closely tied to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the growth of commercial coal mining. Its entries also preserve the development of newspapers, businesses, civic organizations, and the risks faced by mining communities.
This overview is drawn from the timeline entries and the source trails on their individual event pages.- Timeline entries
- 13
- Years represented
- 1852–1888
- Historical topics
- 6
Community timeline
Newburg through time
- 1852
- 1853
1853
Wiley attributes an early West Virginia coal shipment to Newburg
Wiley says Lawrence Henry shipped a car of coal from Newburg after the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad arrived and calls it the first car of coal shipped from West Virginia. The statewide “first” claim needs independent confirmation.
Open event and sources - 1855
1855
A commercial coal mine opens near Newburg
Morton identifies a mine opened near Newburg in 1855 and purchased the following year by the Orrel Coal Company as an early commercial coal operation.
Open event and sources - 1863
April 27, 1863
Jones-Imboden raiders damage the B&O at Newburg and Independence
Morton says Confederate troops passed Fellowsville and Evansville, tore up track, burned bridges near Newburg and Independence, and camped at Gladesville.
Open event and sources - 1868
February 12, 1868
Newburg is incorporated
The West Virginia Legislature passed an act incorporating Newburg. Wiley's county-history chapter agrees with February 12, 1868, while his later district chapter gives May 4, 1868—possibly an organization or election date, or…
Open event and sources - 1869
May 21, 1869
Damon Lodge No. 5 of the Knights of Pythias organized at Newburg
Damon Lodge No. 5 of the Knights of Pythias was organized at Newburg, Preston County.
Open event and sources - 1869
December 23, 1869
First Mutual Store of Newburg incorporated
The First Mutual Store of Newburg was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: William Hubbard, John H. Henry, Eli T. Nine, Benjamin F. Talbott, and J. M. Allen, all of Newburg, Preston County. The company's purpose was…
Open event and sources - 1873
June 23, 1873
Newburg Loan Association incorporated
The Newburg Loan Association was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: James R. Smoot, Thomas M. Clayton, John E. Stuck, John A. Perrill, George W. Barnes, and John A. Vanzdant, all of Newburg, Preston County.
Open event and sources - 1880
March 24, 1880
The Independent newspaper begins in Newburg
Wiley says The Independent, a small newspaper, was established at Newburg on March 24, 1880.
Open event and sources - 1881
June 15, 1881
Newburg Herald established
Wiley dates the establishment of the Newburg Herald by C. H. McCafferty & Company to June 15, 1881.
Open event and sources - 1886
January 21, 1886
Coal mine explosion in the Mountain Brook shaft of the Orrel Coal Company at Newburg, Preston County
Coal mine explosion in the Mountain Brook shaft of the Orrel Coal Company at Newburg, Preston County, twelve miles northeast of Grafton, killed 39.
Open event and sources - 1887
March 3, 1887
Newburgh Orrell Coal and Coke Company incorporated
The Newburgh Orrell Coal and Coke Company was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: C. Morton Stewart of Stevenson, MD; Otho H. Williams, Richard M. McSherry, Charles O'Donnell Lee, John Stewart, James L. McLane,…
Open event and sources - 1888
April 17, 1888
Newburg Live Stock Insurance Association incorporated
The Newburg Live Stock Insurance Association was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: J. R. Smoot, U. N. Orr, T. F. Lanham, John A. Clark, and H. B. Scranage, all of Newburg, Preston County. The association's main…
Open event and sources
Threads through time
Stories that shape this community
Railroad and coal town
Trace Newburg’s railroad-era name changes, early coal shipments, commercial mining, and companies built around coal and coke.
Business, press, and civic institutions
Follow mutual stores, loan associations, newspapers, fraternal organizations, and the town’s incorporation.
Work and danger underground
Examine the Mountain Brook mine disaster and other entries that document the human cost of industrial development.
Historical population
1910–1970 · Census counts for Newburg
People counted within the town boundary at each census. These are town totals; surrounding magisterial districts are separate areas.
| Census year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 823 |
| 1920 | 890 |
| 1930 | 745 |
| 1940 | 696 |
| 1950 | 657 |
| 1960 | 494 |
| 1970 | 457 |
Sources & reading the figures
U.S. Census, 1930, Population, Volume I, West Virginia, Table 4, printed page 1170 (PDF page 118). View the census table ↗
1940 counts: 1940 Census, Population, Volume I, West Virginia, Table 4, printed page 1150 (PDF page 133), also checked against the 1940 column in the 1950 report. View the 1940 census table
1950 counts: 1950 Census, Number of Inhabitants, West Virginia, Table 7, printed pages 48-12–48-13 (PDF pages 12–13), checked against Table 6, page 48-11. View the 1950 town totals
1960 counts: 1960 Census, Number of Inhabitants, West Virginia, Table 8, printed pages 50-14–50-15 (PDF pages 14–15), checked against the 1960 column in the 1970 report. View the 1960 town totals
1970 counts: 1970 Census, Number of Inhabitants, West Virginia, Table 6, printed pages 50-11–50-12 (PDF pages 11–12), checked against Table 10, page 50-18. View the 1970 town totals
Town boundaries can change between censuses, so changes in these counts do not necessarily represent growth within a fixed area.
Explore Preston County’s population history →