Discover Why West Virginia Is Called the Mountain State

When you come from West Virginia, you’re a West Virginian, or a Mountaineer. The reason? West Virginia’s aptly chosen nickname of “The Mountain State” fits exceptionally well. West Virginia officially became a state in 1863, noted for its numerous rolling hills and mountains. Other potential names for the state could have been Vandalia, Appalachia, Western Virginia, and Kanwha.

Let’s take a look and learn more about West Virginia’s nickname, the Mountain State, and how it came to be.

How and When did West Virginia Become Known as the Mountain State?

Originally, the state of West Virginia was known as “Kanawha,” a name that honored the Native American Nation located within the state’s bounds. However, when the are became a state officially and no longer part of Virginia, the name was changed. The region is filled with mountains, throughout much of the state, which has earned the state its nickname, particularly the Allegheny Mountains.

In fact, West Virginia is the only state that rests completely within the Appalachian Mountain region. The Mountain State, as it rightly is called, has the highest elevation of any state in the eastern portion of the United States at 1,654 feet. The top elevation ranges from 4,862 feet at Spruce Knob and 240 feet at Harper’s Ferry.

State Symbols of West Virginia

Like all other states in the United States, West Virginia has chosen many state symbols to represent themselves. These include the flag, state seal, animals, insects, plants, stone, songs, motto, and colors.

West Virginia Flag

On March 7, 1929, the West Virginia flag was officially adopted by the state. The symbols on the flag are meant to depict unity with the nation as a whole as well as signify the state’s own ideals. A white field with the coat of arms of the State of West Virginia appears, with the state motto, a ribboned letter stating the official name of the state, and a wreath of rhododendron. Bordering the white field, blue on all sides appears, with a gold fringe on three sides.

State Seal of West Virginia

Joseph H. Diss Debar, local artist, drew the official seal for the State of West Virginia. His drawings each were accompanied by explanations, then, by legislative decision, the seal was chosen from among them. No changes needed to be made, so the seal remained as the artist originally rendered it.

The seal contains the state motto, a large stone (standing for strength), the date the state joined the Union, and two rifles in front of the rock. Additionally, a farmer with an ax and a miner with a pickax appear, representing the primary industries of the state at the time. The Phrygian cap, or cap of liberty, also graces the seal. On the back, laurel and oak leaves, hills, a log house, boats, and factories exist, used as the Governor’s official seal.

Official State Animals of West Virginia

State Animal — Black Bear

Students, teachers, and sports persons of West Virginia voted for the black bear as the state animal. In 1973, the decision was supported by the legislature and officially named the mammal.

State Bird — Cardinal

As many other states in the union have done, West Virginia chose the cardinal as its state bird. The vote came to resolution on March 7, 1949, decided by schoolchildren and approved by the legislature.

State Fish — Brook Trout

Officially adopted as the state fish in 1973, the brook trout swims natively in the rivers and streams of West Virginia. The fish comes in olive green with lighter sides. Males have a reddish belly.

Official State Plants of West Virginia

State Tree — Sugar Maple

In 1949, the sugar maple became the official state tree of West Virginia. Schoolchildren put in the vote and the legislature agreed.

State Flower — Rhododendron

Kids in West Virginia know their stuff and asked the state government to name the rhododendron as the state flower. In 1903, the state legislation agreed and did just that.

State Fruit — Golden Delicious Apple

In 1972, the golden delicious apple received its rightful place as the state fruit. The variety was discovered growing in Clay County back in 1905 but it took until 1995 for the official designation to be given to the sweet, sunny fruit.

State Insects of West Virginia

State Insect — Honeybee

The official insect of West Virginia makes delicious honeycomb for locals: the honeybee. In 2002, the flying insect came under the protection of the state as the state insect. Hopefully this will help its conservation in the state even more as the years continue flying past!

State Butterfly — Monarch Butterfly

The official state butterfly, the Monarch butterfly, was declared such in 1995. The stunning butterfly in orange and black migrates into the state each year to sip nectar from flowers each spring.

State Stone — Silicified Mississippian Fossil Coral

Actually a fossil instead of a gem, the state stone of West Virginia goes by the common name of Mississippian Fossil Coral. The unique choice was designated by the state in 1990, thanks to its frequent finding in Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties where it is cut and polished for us in jewelry and display.

State Colors — Old Gold and Blue

Not every state has official colors, but West Virginia does! The shade known as old gold has a mustardy-gold coloring, while the blue is almost colonial in nature. The colors were adopted by the state in 1963.

Three State Songs

West Virginia celebrates its culture and mindset with three official state songs:

• “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home”
• “This is My West Virginia”
• “The West Virginia Hills”

The original song, “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home,” by Julian G. Hearne, Jr., was designated as such in 1947. By accident, a second song was designated in 1961, “The West Virginia Hills.” Finally, “This is My West Virginia” was added to the list in 1963.

State Motto

West Virginia holds to its motto of Montani Semper Liberi, which means “Mountaineers are always free” when translated from Latin. The official motto was adopted in 1872, in the state constitution. The artist who created West Virginia’s Great Seal, Joseph H. Diss Debar, suggested the motto, and it stuck.

When is West Virginia Day?

Every year on June 20, West Virginia celebrates its statehood. This day, known as West Virginia Day with locals, has been a state holiday since 1927, some 64 years after statehood.

Other Nicknames of West Virginia

West Virginia earned this nickname along with two other nicknames beyond the “Mountain State.” These other two are the unofficial nicknames earned for the state’s geography and topography.

The Switzerland of America

Thanks to the many, gorgeous mountains in West Virginia, some folks have compared the state to the nation of Switzerland. Of course, it’s not the only state, though, to bear the unofficial nickname, though. Colorado, New Jersey, Maine, and New Hampshire have all also borne the nickname for the same reason. It just goes to show the glorious diversity of the topography in America!

The Panhandle State

The geography of the state has earned the nickname of West Virginia “the Panhandle State.” The borders of the state contour the land, mostly, skirting mountains and rivers. But two extensions of the state create two panhandles for the state, one between Maryland and Virginia, and the other between Pennsylvania and Ohio. This earns the nickname for West Virginia, since the Mountain State is the only in the nation with two panhandles.