State Bird

Northern Cardinal

West Virginia public school students and various civic organizations voted to select the state bird of West Virginia. The Northern Red Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) won by more than 11,000 votes. The West Virginia Legislature officially adopted the cardinal as the state bird on March 7, 1949.

Did You Know?

Only male cardinals feature the iconic rich, scarlet plumage and black mask around their beaks. Female and young cardinals are less brilliantly colored, though you can still spot tinges of the distinctive red coloring male cardinals are known for.

State Tree

Sugar Maple

Celebrated for its brilliant and beautiful fall foliage, the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) was officially designated the state tree of West Virginia through the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 12 on March 7, 1949. Like the state bird, West Virginia public school students and various civic organizations voted to name the state tree.

Sugar maple tree leaves each feature five lobes. Sugar maples are a valuable source of timber and maple syrup in the state.

Fun Fact

These trees can be seen in all 55 counties of West Virginia.

State Flower

Rhododendron maximum

This beautiful rhododendron, with its clusters of pink or white flowers mottled with red or yellow flecks and large, evergreen leaves, has been West Virginia's state flower since 1903. House Joint Resolution No. 19 was adopted by the Legislature on January 29, 1903 following recommendation from the Governor and a vote by public school students.

The rhododendron is a shrub belonging to the heath family. It can be found throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. Rhododendron is common in much of West Virginia and produces a spectacular show of natural beauty when in full bloom. Other names for the rhododendron include big laurel, great laurel, white laurel, and rosebay rhododendron.

Did You Know?

There are over 800 species of rhododendron throughout the world! The most abundant are the purple (Catawba) rhododendron and rhododendron maximum.

State Animal

Black Bear

West Virginia students, teachers, and sportsmen help to select the black bear (Ursus americanus) as the official state animal after a poll was conducted by the Division of Natural Resources from 1954-1955. Adult black bears typically reach an average weight of 250 pounds and despite being commonly known as "black bears," the coloring of these bears is actually a deep tint of brown!

The Legislature's approval of House Concurrent Resolution No. 6 in 1973 officially approved the black bear as the state animal of West Virginia.

Fun Fact

Black bears are the only species of bear found in West Virginia.

State Fish

Brook Trout

The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which thrives in West Virginia's small, cold, spring-fed mountain streams, became the official state fish in 1973. In fact, the olive-colored fish is the Mountain State's only native species of trout. The light-colored edges of its lower fins help to make the fish easily identifiable. Male brook trouts also feature a recognizable reddish belly.

The Legislature officially recognized it as the state fish with House Concurrent Resolution No. 6, which was adopted during the Regular Session in 1973.

Did You Know?

Brook trout are also known as specks, brook char, and speckled trout.

State Motto

"Montani Semper Liberi"

"Mountaineers Are Always Free"
This Latin phrase was adopted as the official state motto in Article II, Section 2-7 of the state constitution signed in 1872.

The present seal of the state, with its motto, "Montani Semper Liberi," shall be the great seal of the state of West Virginia, and shall be kept by the secretary of state, to be used by him officially, as directed by law.

West Virginia Constitution, Article II, Section 2-7

Fun Fact

The phrase, which had long been used by Swiss mountaineers as a symbol of their independent spirits, was suggested to be West Virginia's state motto by Joseph H. Diss Debar, the Doddridge County artist who created the State Seal.

State Songs

"The West Virginia Hills", "This Is My West Virginia", "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home", "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

West Virginia has four official state songs celebrating the beauty and spirit of the Mountain State. Each song ranks equally in official status.

West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home, composed by Wheeling-native Colonel Julian G. Hearne, Jr, was declared to be the state's first official state song on March 3, 1947 with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11. However, without knowing that a state song had already been designated, An edited version of The West Virginia Hills, with original words by Ellen King and music by H.E. Engle was declared to be the official state song in 1961 through Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5. In celebration of the state's Centennial, Charleston musician Iris Bell's This Is My West Virginia was named the state's official Centennial Song in 1963.

To reduce and eliminate the confusion surrounding the state's official songs, the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 19 on February 28, 1963, declaring all three as official state songs. On March 8, 2014, the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 40, which designated Take Me Home, Country Roads written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver, as an additional official state song.

Did You Know?

The West Virginia Hills is the oldest of the four state songs. The four-verse poem was originally published in September 1885 in the Glenville Crescent newspaper and credited to Ellen Ruddell King.

State Gem

Silicified Lithostrotionella

Although technically not a gemstone, the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution No. 39 on March 10, 1990 named the state gem as silicified Missippian fossil coral (Lithostrotionella), preserved by chalcedony.

It can be located in the Hillsdale Limestone formation of the Greenbrier Group, found in parts of both Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties in West Virginia, and is often cut and polished for use in jewelry or as a decorative display.

Fun Fact

Lithostrotionella coral lived about 350-325 million years ago in the warm, shallow waters that covered much of North America during the Mississippian Period.

State Firearm

Hall Flintlock Model 1819

The Hall Flintlock Model 1819 was named the official state firearm by the Legislature on April 4, 2013 with the adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7.

Originally manufactured in Harpers Ferry by John H. Hall, this model of rifle was adopted into the United States Army in 1819 and was the first breech-loading rifle to be adopted by any nation's military. The firearm is characterized by a block breech that has the ability to be lifted out, allowing the operator to insert the powder and bullet, which offered a faster and simpler way to handle a gun.

The Flintlock Model continued to be used during the U.S. Civil War. This fact alone makes the firearm significant to West Virginia, as the state was born out of that conflict.

Did You Know?

The Hall Flintlock Model 1819 was the first entirely machine-made weapon ever manufactured with interchangeable parts.

State Colors

Old Gold and Blue

The official colors of West Virginia, known as Old Gold and Blue, were designated as the state colors by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20, which was adopted by the Legislature on March 8, 1963.

Fun Fact

Before their official status as the state colors of West Virginia, gold and blue were often used by the state in ceremonies since they are also the official colors of West Virginia University.

State Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was designated as the official state butterfly of West Virginia when Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11 was adopted by the Legislature on March 1, 1995.

The orange and black insect dines on milkweed as a caterpillar and sips nectar from flowers as a butterfly. These beautiful butterflies can be found throughout the state. At the end of summer, monarch butterflies migrate south to Mexico.

Did You Know?

The butterflies that you see in the springtime are the great grandchildren of the butterflies that lived in Mexico during the winter.

State Fossil

Jefferson's Ground Sloth

Jefferson's ground sloth (Megalonyx jeffersonii) became the state fossil of West Virginia on March 8, 2008 when the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28.

During the late eighteenth century, the bones of a massive animal were discovered in present-day Monroe County by miners digging saltpeter. The bones were presented to President Thomas Jefferson, who presented the fossil to the American Philosophical Society in 1797. In reference to the size and shape of the limb bones, he coined the animal as Megalonyx, which is Greek for "great claw."

Two years later, the same bones were described and published by Casper Wister, a physician. He described the bones as belonging to a giant extinct ground sloth, a species of ground sloth that measured over eight feet tall and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. Wister credited Jefferson with the discovery and named the animal accordingly in his honor.

Fun Fact

West Virginia declared its state fossil in an effort to help promote interest in geology, paleontology, and history.

State Fruit

Golden Delicious Apple

Although West Virginia had named the apple as the official state fruit in 1972, the Legislature's adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7 on February 20, 1995 officially specified the Golden Delicious apple as the state fruit of West Virginia.

The Golden Delicious apple (Malus domestica) was discovered by Anderson Mullins in Clay County in 1912 on the Mullins family farm near Porters Creek. Mullins originally called the apple the "Mullins' Yellow Seedling." The mother tree was sold to Stark Brothers Nursery, who popularized the variety as "Golden Delicious."

The Golden Delicious apple is West Virginia's second major contribution to the commercial apple industry with the first being the Grimes Golden apple, which was discovered on the farm of Thomas Grimes near Wellsburg in the early 1800s.

Did You Know?

The mother tree of the original Golden Delicious apples bore fruit until it died in the late 1950s. A historical marker for the tree can be found nearby on Route 1.

State Coal Mine

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

On March 2, 2012, the Committee Substitute for House Concurrent Resolution No. 68 was adopted by the Legislature, officially recognizing the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine as the official state mine of West Virginia.

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is part of the New River Park and opened to visitors in 1962. Since its opening, the mine has allowed over 45,000 yearly visitors to ride authentic "man cars" through 1,500 feet of underground passages under the supervision of a veteran coal miner. Visitors experience the history of low-seam coal mining from the days of the hand-loading era through modern mechanization.

The mine also offers recreational and educational experiences—including hosting a planetarium and seasonal exhibitions—through its early 20th century Coal Camp and Museum of Southern West Virginia while providing an invaluable connection to the state's rich coal history.

Fun Fact

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine was restored by the City of Beckley and is listed on the National Register of Historic sites. It was originally operated by the Phillips family during the late 1800s.

State Locomotive

Shay No. 5 Steam Locomotive

The Cass Scenic Railroad's Shay No. 5 steam locomotive was designated as the official steam locomotive of West Virginia when the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 34 on March 11, 2004.

This turn-of-the-century class C-80 Shay has been toiling up Cheat Mountain since 1905. The legendary Shay No. 5 was built for the Greenbrier and Elk River Railroad by Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio.

The Shay No. 5 was named as State Locomotive as a tribute to West Virginia's timbering history and as an important historical artifact that serves as a wonderfully preserved example of early twentieth century technology.

Did You Know?

The Shay No. 5 is one of the oldest engines in continuous service on its original line and is the second oldest Shay in existence.

State Insect

Honey Bee

The honey bee (Apis mellifera) became the official state insect of West Virginia through the Legislature's adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9 on March 7, 2002.

The honey bee, which has six legs, four wings, and a coloring that ranges from dark yellow to gold. Three dark bands are featured on its abdomen. The honey bee produces a flavorful honey and also pollinates many of the state's important crops including fruits, vegetables, and grasses.

Fun Fact

The honey bee produces more benefits to West Virginia's economy than any other insect.

State Seal

The Great Seal

The Great Seal of West Virginia was designed by Joseph H. Diss Debar of Doddridge County and symbolizes the principal pursuits and resources of West Virginia. The design features a farmer and miner standing on either side of a large, ivy-covered stone bearing the date of West Virginia's admission to the Union. In front of the stone, a Phyrgian cap, or "Cap of Liberty," rests atop two hunters' rifles. The words, "State of West Virginia" and the Latin motto, "Montani Semper Liberi" are featured at the top and bottom respectively on the front (obverse) side of the seal.

Although it is not commonly used, the reverse side serves as the Governor's official seal. Its design depicts laurel and oak leaves, a log farmhouse, hills, factories, and boats.

Did You Know?

The Secretary of State serves as the official "keeper of the seal" and controls its use for any purpose other than official state business.

State Amphibian

Northern Red Salamander

The Northern red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) was named the official state amphibian on March 12, 2015 when the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 31.

The resolution was proposed by eighth grade students taking the West Virginia Studies class at Romney Middle School. They proposed that the color pattern of the amphibian showcases the colorful fall foliage of the state—especially that of the Sugar Maple (the state tree of West Virginia)—with the peppered black dots representing the coal mines that dot the region. The five toes on each back foot were declared to represent the state's fifty-five counties and the four toes on each front foot to represent the state's eight major rivers.

Fun Fact

Northern red salamanders can be found throughout West Virginia.

State Rock

Bituminous Coal

The Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 37 on April 11, 2009, declaring bituminous coal to be the official state rock of West Virginia.

Coal has been present and noted in the region (present-day West Virginia) since the early days of European exploration. In 1742, European explorer John Peter Salley first discovered the region's coal in the area of Racine The coal deposit that he observed was located near a tributary of the Kanawha River, which he fittingly named, "Coal River."

Over time, the coal industry evolved into an integral part of the state's economic and social fabric. In fact, West Virginia is the second-largest coal producing state in the United States and the largest producer of bituminous coal.

Did You Know?

Britnee Gilbert, a senior at Gilbert High School in Mingo County, started the movement to adopt bituminous coal as the official state rock.

State Tartan

West Virginia Shawl

The adoption of House Concurrent Resolution No. 29 by the Legislature on March 6, 2008 designated the West Virginia Shawl as the official state tartan.

A tartan, which is a woolen plaid cloth, was originally worn to differentiate between Scottish clans and families. The pattern of the official state tartan is based on a previously undiscovered shawl found at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Barboursville, Cabell County and includes colors that most fully represent West Virginia's history, culture, and beauty in a symmetrical design.

Each color of the state tartan's design represents a different aspect of the state:

• Scarlet: The cardinal
• Yellow: Fall colors
• Dark Blue: Mountain rivers and lakes
• Black: The black bear as well as coal and oil
• Green: The rhododendron and mountain meadows
• Azure: The sky
• White: To include all colors of the United States flag

Fun Fact

Many of West Virginia's early settlers included descendants of Celtic people. Several other states have also declared an official state tartan to honor their Celtic ancestry.

State Reptile

Timber Rattlesnake

The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) was designated as the official state reptile in 2008 with the Legislature's adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28 on March 8, 2008.

The timber rattlesnake features brown or black chevron-shaped markings down its back that the text of the resolution describes as, "reminiscent of West Virginia's fauna and flora."

Timber rattlesnakes are venomous, though usually docile and found in remote, rocky mountainous sections of the state. It is one of the only two poisonous snakes found in West Virginia, with the other being the copperhead snake. Both timber rattlers and copperheads are pit vipers.

Did You Know?

The timber rattlesnake is the only snake species in the state that has a segmented rattle at the end of its tail.

State Flag

State Flag of West Virginia

The current state flag of West Virginia was officially adopted by the Legislature on March 7, 1929 through Senate Joint Resolution No. 18.

The design features West Virginia's coat-of-arms emblazoned in proper colors at the center of a pure white field. A red banner that reads, "State of West Virginia" appears above the coat-of-arms and another red banner bears the state motto toward the bottom. Rhododendron maximums in proper colors are wreathed around the coat-of-arms. The pure white field is bordered on all four sides by a strip of blue.

Per Senate Joint Resolution No. 18, "the proportions of the flag of the State of West Virginia shall be the same as the United States ensign," and when the state flag is used for parade purposes, all sides except for the staff side, must be trimmed with gold fringe. If the state flag of West Virginia is being used ceremoniously with the United States ensign, it must be trimmed and mounted similarly to the national flag in reference to fringe, cord, tassels, and mounting.

Fun Fact

Although several regimental or battle flags were authorized by the state, an official, unified design for the state flag was not addressed until the early twentieth century.

State Soil

Monongahela Silt Loam

Monongahela silt loam was named state soil of West Virginia on April 2, 1997 when the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5. This resolution made West Virginia the twelfth state to declare an official state soil.

Monongahela silt loam is used extensively for crops, hay. pasture, woodland, housing, and prime farmland. When declared to be the official state soil,

Did You Know?

Monongahela silt loam covers more than 100,000 acres in 42 counties throughout the state of West Virginia.

West Virginia Day

June 20

The state of West Virginia was proclaimed to be the 35th state of the United States of America by President Lincoln on April 20, 1863. The proclamation became effective sixty days later on June 20, 1863, thus becoming the reason that June 20th is officially recognized as the date that West Virginia obtained statehood. In celebration, June 20 of each year in the Mountain State is recognized as West Virginia Day.

Although the day was commemorated informally since the late 1860s, West Virginia Day officially became a state holiday by Chapter 59, Acts of the Legislature, Regular Session, 1927.

Fun Fact

West Virginia is the only state that was formed as a direct result of the Civil War and the only state that was created by a Presidential Proclamation.