Aurora, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Aurora is an unincorporated
census-designated place
in Preston County
, West Virginia
, United States
. As of the 2010 census
, its population was 201. Aurora was originally a German settlement. The town was originally called Salem and later Mount Carmel. Its current name was suggested because of the town's high altitude.
One of the original settlers to the area was John Stough, a Lutheran minister. The primary industries throughout the early and mid-19th century were farming and timber. In the late 1880s the town became known as a resort area thanks to several large hotels which were built in the area. Some of these featured casinos, pools, and concert halls. In the 1930s an artist colony formed in the nearby Youghiogheny Forest area. Aurora is located on U.S. Route 50
between the Maryland
state line and the town of Rowlesburg
. Cathedral State Park
is located to the east of Aurora's post office.
Located near Aurora are Gaymont
and the Red Horse Tavern
, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Preston County
Preston County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,334 people, 11,544 households, and 8,357 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 13,444 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, its population was 201. Aurora was originally a German settlement. The town was originally called Salem and later Mount Carmel. Its current name was suggested because of the town's high altitude.
One of the original settlers to the area was John Stough, a Lutheran minister. The primary industries throughout the early and mid-19th century were farming and timber. In the late 1880s the town became known as a resort area thanks to several large hotels which were built in the area. Some of these featured casinos, pools, and concert halls. In the 1930s an artist colony formed in the nearby Youghiogheny Forest area. Aurora is located on U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50 is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching just over from Ocean City, Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean to West Sacramento, California. Until 1972, when it was replaced by Interstate Highways west of the Sacramento area, it extended to San Francisco, near...
between the Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
state line and the town of Rowlesburg
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Rowlesburg is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States, along the Cheat River. The population was 613 at the 2000 census.-History:The Downtown Rowlesburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005....
. Cathedral State Park
Cathedral State Park
Cathedral State Park is the largest virgin timber tract remaining in West Virginia. Located on about one mile east of the town of Aurora, Cathedral is a mixed forest of predominantly eastern hemlock....
is located to the east of Aurora's post office.
Located near Aurora are Gaymont
Gaymont
Gaymont is a historic home located near Aurora, Preston County, West Virginia. It was built about 1896 as a summer resort cottage. It is a two-story, "T"-shaped dwelling constructed of wood, wood shingles, wood half-timbers, and cut stone. It displays eclectic overtones of American Craftsman,...
and the Red Horse Tavern
Red Horse Tavern
Red Horse Tavern, also known as Brookside Inn and The Old Stone House, is a historic inn and tavern located near Aurora, Preston County, West Virginia. It was built between 1825 and 1827, as a dwelling. In 1841, it opened as a public inn to serve travelers on the Northwestern Turnpike...
, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.