Pennsylvanian - About 323–299 million years ago · Countywide
Vegetation accumulated in waterlogged wetlands across the region during Pennsylvanian time. Some plant material survived decay as peat. Later, heat and pressure from burial transformed peat into coal. Repeated changes in the landscape left coal seams among layers of other sedimentary rocks. Those deposits, including the Upper Freeport coal in Preston County, would eventually become part of the county’s mining history.
Research status: Verified to source
- Additional source
Phillips and Peppers (1984), Changing patterns of Pennsylvanian coal-swamp vegetation — plant, peat, and climate evidence (USGS)
Visit source ↗ (usgs.gov) - Additional source
USGS Upper Freeport coal resources, federal data catalog — includes Preston County
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Read full entry and research notes →July 10, 1888 · Rowlesburg / Cheat River
After prolonged heavy rain, the Cheat River surged through Rowlesburg. Contemporary reports said 17 houses, a sawmill, a planing mill, and an iron Baltimore & Ohio railroad bridge were washed away; five families lost everything, and damage at Rowlesburg was estimated at $125,000. Federal records place the flood peak at Rowlesburg on July 10, with an estimated discharge of 71,000 cubic feet per second.
Research status: Verified
Read full entry and research notes →November 4–5, 1985 · Rowlesburg / Albright / Cheat River
After prolonged heavy rain, the Cheat River reached a record crest of 36.9 feet at Rowlesburg. Floodwaters devastated Rowlesburg, Albright, and neighboring Cheat Valley communities, destroying homes, businesses, bridges, roads, and railroad infrastructure; 110 of Albright’s 132 homes were destroyed. Upstream in Tucker County, Parsons also suffered devastating flooding. Scientific study of the Cheat River and Black Fork documented exceptional flooding, erosion, and debris deposits, placing Preston’s losses within the wider disaster across the shared watershed.
Research status: Verified
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