Keyser, West Virginia
Encyclopedia : K : KE : KEY : Keyser, West Virginia
Keyser is a city in Mineral County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 5,303 at the 2000 census. Keyser is the "Friendliest City in the U.S.A." It is the county seat of Mineral County[Geographic references#6GR6].
History
Keyser was originally called Paddy Town after Patrick McCarty, son of one of the original settlers. With the coming of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1852, the destiny of the area changed from a quiet rural community to a thriving industrial center. The name was changed to New Creek Station and then to New Creek. In 1861 the Civil War came rumbling through the valley. Fort Fuller was built on the present site of Potomac State College, and Fort Piano entrenchments were established on New Creek Mountain.
Because of the importance of the railroad, the town changed hands 14 times. At the time, West Virginia became a state in 1863 there was some contention between Piedmont and New Creek over the location of the county seat. As an inducement to have the county seat located in New Creek, the Davis brothers donated land for the courthouse in 1867 and is still in use.
In 1874, the town was incorporated as ‘Keyser’ to honor William Keyser, Vice President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Supposedly, intended to gain favor with Mr. Keyser and the railroad to ensure that they would move all rail operations from Piedmont to Keyser.
Former Major League Baseball player and current sportscaster John Kruk grew up in Keyser. Current Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who made his reputation in the same role with the Atlanta Braves, was born in Keyser, but never lived there. At the time Mazzone was born, Keyser had the nearest hospital to his parents' home in Westernport, Maryland, and he spent his entire childhood in Westernport.
See also
USS Barr (APD-39)Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 5,303 people, 2,241 households, and 1,333 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,077.6/km² (2,791.7/mi²). There were 2,542 housing units at an average density of 516.6/km² (1,338.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.55% White, 7.07% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.There were 2,241 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,718, and the median income for a family was $32,708. Males had a median income of $29,034 versus $20,818 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,813. About 16.3% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.2% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
External links
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