Fayette County Historical Society of West Virginia

05/17/2026

04/27/2026

Fayette County Historical Society of West Virginia
will be having a meeting on Sunday, May 3,2026 at the Hawks Nest Restaurant, (The Overlook). Upper dining room. We will be meeting at 2 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

Address:
49 Hawks Nest Park Rd., Ansted, WV

Hawks Nest State Park Dining Dine surrounded by breathtaking views of the New River Gorge at The Overlook restaurant at Hawks Nest State Park. The

04/21/2026

04/07/2026

Email recently received about Crookshanks, Robert Hugh, 1908-1944 Corliss, WV

Hello,

Since 1998, I have been researching an American soldier who died in France, specifically during the liberation of my town of Ahuillé.

I would like to know if the information I have about him matches the soldier I am looking for. A commemorative plaque bearing his name adorns the war memorial in my town.

Thank you for considering my request so that this tribute may be preserved.

Jacques-André Aubry

You will find attached the information concerning him:

Historical Memorial Notice: Pfc Robert Hugh CROOKSHANK (1908-1944)
Subject: Correction of Records and Commemoration in Ahuillé, France.
1. Personal Background & Identity
Correct Name: Robert Hugh Crookshanks (formerly misspelled with a "K" in local French records).
Birth: December 28, 1908, in Corliss, Fayette County, West Virginia.
Family: Son of Ira Thompson and Blanche Crookshanks; brother of Edward and James Crookshanks.
Pre-War Life: Robert was a dedicated "railroad man." He worked as a Trackman for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) at the Quinnimont terminal. He was a sturdy worker of the New River Gorge before answering the call to service.
2. Military Service & Sacrifice
Unit: 106 th Cavalry group,121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), Troop F.
Rank: Private First Class (Pfc).
The Combat at La Blinière: On August 6, 1944, during the liberation of the village of Ahuillé (Mayenne, France), Robert’s platoon was ambushed at a place called "La Blinière" on the road toward Loiron.
Circumstances: His M5 Stuart light tank was struck by a German anti-tank gun (2nd Panzer Division). Robert was killed in the line of duty during the ensuing fire. His platoon leader, Lt. Edward J. Murphy, was later decorated with the Bronze Star for his actions during this specific engagement.
3. Legacy and Correction of History
Resting Place: After the war, his body was repatriated to the Golden Gate National Cemetery (California), Section C, Grave 234.
Recent Action: In 2024, local research in France identified the spelling error on the village memorial. The name has been officially corrected from "Krookshanks" to "Crookshanks," finally restoring his true identity at the site of his sacrifice.

"Dear Members of the Fayette County Historical Society of WV.
I am writing to inform you that one of your sons, Robert Hugh Crookshanks of Corliss, who worked for the C&O Railway in Quinnimont, is now correctly honored in the village of Ahuillé, France. We have identified the exact spot of his ultimate sacrifice at 'La Blinière' and corrected his name on our local memorial. We wanted his home county to know that his memory is still alive and respected here."

03/18/2026

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11/05/2025

Community Veterans Day Dinner
Tuesday, November 11th at 4:00PM
Fayetteville United Methodist Church

01/16/2025

Start the New Year off right with a calendar from the Fayette County Historical Society! These beautiful wall calendars celebrate the history of Fayette County by calling attention to the history behind some of our most iconic landmarks, like Hawks Nest, Babcock, and the New River Gorge. But we also featured some lesser known locations like the Laurel Creek Mill near Beckwith, the Contentment House and Museum in Ansted, and Camp Washington-Carver in Clifftop. There’s something for every lover of Fayette County history.

Calendars are now $15 by themselves, or $10 if you bundle them with a Fayette County Historical Society membership. Membership dues are a low $20 per year, and are one of the best ways you can support the Society! Contact us today. You can comment on this post or reach out to [email protected].

12/23/2024

Last chance to get a calendar before Christmas! We still have calendars at Lost Appalachia and Studio B in Fayetteville, Swiftwater General Store in Ames (just down the road from the NRG Canyon Rim Visitor Center), Gran Robbie’s in Ansted, and the U-Save Mart in Lookout. We can also arrange to get one to you individually or ship one to you if you’re okay with it arriving after Christmas.

These are beautiful and interesting calendars. Check out the feedback we’ve been getting!

12/19/2024

These four amazing houses are featured in our 2025 calendar. Starting in the upper left and going clockwise, that's Contentment House, Page-Vawter House, Tyree Tavern (aka the Halfway House), and the Morris Harvey House. One of these houses is thought to be one of the oldest houses in southern West Virginia. Another is one of the first houses in the area to have indoor plumbing. One of the houses was tied to a man who outsmarted the major railroads of the time. And one was built by a Civil War General. Want to know which is which? Buy our calendar and find out! (There's still time to get a calendar before Christmas!)