The West Virginian June 04, 1909
From Fairmont to Morgantown and Return Sunday, June 6
The I. C. Woodward will leave Fairmont at 8:30 on Sunday, June 6, for Morgantown and return reaching Fairmont at 5:30 p.m. The fare for the round trip, not including any meals, will be as follows: From Fairmont 75 cents; Hoult 65 cents; Rivesville 55 cents; Montana 50 cents; Catawba 45 cents; Murray 40 cents; Opekiski 35 cents; Beechwood 30 cents; and Little Falls 25 cents.
Meals will be served on the boat at regular prices; also light refreshments at popular prices.
At 7 o’clock the same evening, a short excursion to Catawba and returning here at 9:45 will be run, and the fare will be 25 cents for the trip on the Woodward.
Pittsburg & Fairmont Packet Company
Summer Fun at Fairmont W.V. in the Early Years
Above is an article in the local Fairmont, West Virginia newspaper in 1909. Fairmont is located along the Monongahela River, which was a significant part of shipping and traveling in the town’s early days. Before the B & O Railroad was established here, the river was our connection to other cities.
Cruising on these magnificent vessels was a favorite pastime for our citizens, allowing them to travel to nearby cities for fun and excitement.
I.C. Woodward
I. C. Woodward was a side-wheel packet boat [ a medium-size boat designed for domestic mail, passenger, and freight transportation. ] She was named for her ship captain, Isaac C. Woodward. She had 50 staterooms with additional rooms in her texas [ the most extensive passenger cabin.]
I. C. Woodward ran the Monongahela River twice weekly, starting from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia. She has also been known to travel farther south from Morgantown to Fairmont on occasions like the trip above.
I have tried to find information on the Pittsburg and Fairmont Packet Company and have only found that it was connected with The Consolidated Coal Company of Fairmont. If anyone has any information on this company, please relay it below in the comments.
I hope you have enjoyed this little look back into some fun that citizens joined in to pass the summertime days away!
I hope you enjoyed my post looking back in Fairmont. Please leave a comment below and tell me your memories of summer past!