Grafton: Railroad Town

Grafton was a key transportation hub in Western Virginia. The Northwestern Virginia Railroad joined the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The Northwestern Turnpike ran through town. From here, the Fairmont-Beverly Pike continued south through Philippi and intersected the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike at Beverly. In May, 1861, Union troops poured into Grafton to protect the B&O Railroad. Here at the Grafton Hotel, they prepared for the Battle of Philippi. Grafton was a major supply depot that supported Union troops fighting in Western Virginia. Throughout the Civil War, thousands of troops and tons of war supplies moved through this town. A general military hospital was located in the area of Walnut Street.