Grafton (West Virginia)

Grafton (West Virginia) is a city in north central West Virginia. It is the county seat of Taylor County. It is believed to be the location where the first Civil War fatality occurred, when Union private Thornsbury Bailey Brown was shot on May 22, 1861. What put Grafton on the map was the railroad.

But what Grafton is probably best known for is that Mothers Day was founded here in 1908.

• 🌍 International Mother's Day Shrine, 11 E Main St, ☏ +1 304-265-1589. A historic church where Mother's Day was first observed, in the early 1900s. 
• 🌍 Grafton National Cemetery, 353-401 Walnut St, ☏ +1 304-265-2044. Dawn-dusk. Resting place for over 1500 Union and 600 unidentified Civil War military personnel, including Thornsbury Bailey Brown, presumed to be the first Civil War fatality. (updated Dec 2021)
• 🌍 B&O Railroad Station, 100 Main St. Historic train depot. 

• 🌍 Tygart Lake State Park, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, ☏ +1 304-265-6144, TygartLakeInfo@wv.gov. Daily 7AM-10PM. This pristine recreation area was developed after the Tygart River was dammed. Boating and camping are some of the options here. (updated Dec 2021)

• 🌍 WV Memorial Day Parade, Downtown Grafton. The longest running Memorial Day parade in the United States started on June 14, 1868 and is now celebrated on Memorial Day, the last Monday in May. 

• 🌍 Lesa's Place, Route 50 (W of the Tygart River Bridge), ☏ +1 304-265-1995. Daily 7AM-2PM. Breakfast and lunch. Sandwiches and salads $. 
• 🌍 Gormet Express, Route 50 (E of the Tygart River Bridge), ☏ +1 304-265-0333. Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM. Lunch and Dinner. Italian and American classics. 

• 🌍 Rendezbrews, Route 119 (76 W Main Street), ☏ +1 304-903-8941. M-F 6:30AM-5PM, Sa 8AM-12:30PM. Coffee shop. Specialty coffee, teas and smoothies, baked goods and lunch specials. 

Try a campsite, cabin, or room at the lodge at Tygart Lake State Park.