Ritchie County, WV: Some History of Petroleum, WV
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courtesy of:
RITCHIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Aug/Sept 1973 Newsletter  Vol I  No. III

SOME HISTORY OF PETROLEUM       

Familiar to older residents of Ritchie county is the Fairview or Frogpond
School, which stood in the area known as Dry Ridge, but the building has
been gone for a good many years.  At one time the school was active in
serving the youth from a large radius, that having been around the turn of
the century.  It was one of two schools in that area, the other having been
the Dry Ridge School.

During the early part of the 20th century the ridge was heavily settled and
was the home of many families who have since gained relative prominence.
Some of the families whose homes occupied the ridge were those of Ed
Nutter, Vern Boston, Cecil Tennant, Aunt Lydia George, Hartlebens(?),
Fouttys, Frank Kerns, James Harbert and Al Daubenspeck.

Near the intersection of Dry Ridge Road and State Route 47 stood a
historical building, called the California House from as far back as most
persons can remember.  During the days of the stage, the old house was used
as a hotel for the travellers who passed along the highway.  It was said
that all stages stopped at the house.  After fires on at least two
different occasions, the old building was finally completely destroyed by
the flames.

Nearer Petroleum stood an old log house, long known as the "Dutch" Fred
house, occupied for a number of years by the Robert Hartleben family.  The
homestead was a gathering place for the young men of the community, the
reason having been, as some say, the large number of girls who lived near
by.  Another reason, according to Walter Hoffman of Parkersburg, was the
excellent wine produced in those days by the family.  An attraction for
many visitors was a sight of the spirited horses owned by the family.  Pork
butter and eggs were staples of the old home.

In Petroleum proper was an old livery stable, housed in a building which
stands to the present time, although it is in a condition of decay.  The
stable was owned and operated by R. C. Jackson, who bore the reputation of
being able to handle any horse.  Not far away was the blacksmith shop of
William Cross, and next to it was the Ice pond, a gathering place for ice
cutters.  It is said that ice was cut from the pond and stored which
measured eight to 10 inches thick.  Much of the ice was used during the
numerous picnics, for the inhabitants enjoyed making their own ice cream.

The covered bridge, a landmark in Petroleum for many years, was washed away
by the flash flood of the early 1940's, when Goose creek went on a rampage.

According to Hoffman, watermelons were enjoyed almost as much as candy in
those days, and the cost was far below that of today.  he recounted an
incident when he and an older brother were sent to the store by their
mother, and looking around the room, saw a watermelon for 20 cents.  Unable
to restrain themselves, the boys purchased the melon and dragged it off to
the Petroleum School coal house.  Unable to cut it because neither had a
knife, the boys were at a loss as to the next move when they saw Thornt
Washington, an old Negro who lived in the area.  He had a Barlow knife, so
the two boys and the man shared their feast.