Downtown Paden City

There are so many genealogical dates and events on the internet for our founder that it is almost impossible to know the correct data for him. We hope that our information is correct as much time and effort has been spent to make this article as accurate as possible. Most of it was written by Sam Smith, a 1977 graduate of PCHS and published with his permission.

Obediah Paden, born in 1752 and a veteran of the Revolutionary War, first settled Paden City in 1796. Paden was a Quaker who came here from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, after his parents, Samuel and Lydia, immigrated from Padenbugh, Scotland. Local lore has him as the first settler along the Ohio River between Wheeling, WV and Marietta, OH. Paden purchased the land from Robert Woods for $1,333.00. Woods had been granted lands from the “Long Reach” (Bens Run in Tyler County to Fishing Creek in Wetzel County) by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Obediah’s land which ran from the north and south boundaries of Paden City, Paden Island and Paden Fork was over 1000 acres. It was known as Paden’s Bottom at that time. He died in 1822 and his land was divided among his sons who continued farming the area through the Civil War. We believe he was the father of 10 children. The Last Will and Testament of Obediah Paden listed the names of the following children: Esther, William (deceased), Obediah (deceased), Rebecca, Liddy, Isaac, James, Joseph, Samuel, and Jesse.

River trade flourished during this period but declined rapidly when railroad transportation arrived in 1884. Mail service began here by boat in 1877, followed by railroad. Our small community was now known as Paden’s Valley. The last “packet” boat carrying commerce passed here in 1936 from Pittsburgh to Huntington.

The first church to be established in Paden City was a Methodist Episcopal South congregation in 1868 which met in homes, and their first building was erected in 1891 which still exists as a church to a Wesleyan congregation on North Fourth Avenue. In 1872 the first school was constructed on North Fourth Avenue across from the church.

In 1903 a bank was founded and an auction of lots was held. Much of the land comprising Paden Valley was sold to a Pittsburgh land development interest that became known as Paden Valley Land Company, later becoming the Paden City Land Company in 1905. Paden City was incorporated in 1916, and the first municipal election was in 1917.

Early industries included the Ohio Valley Foundry Company (1903); Empire Glass Company (1903); Wissmach Glass Company (1904); Duquense Bottle Company (1905); Paden City Pottery (1911); McKee & Bliven Button Factory (1911); Euclid Manufacturing Company (1912); Brown Lumber Company (1912); Paden City Glass Company (1916); and the Lawrence Novelty Glass Company (1929).

In 1903 the Paden Valley Land Company built an electric railway line between New Martinsville and Sistersville. It was known as the Wetzel-Tyler Railway Company. It was soon purchased by the McCoy family of Sistersville and became the Union Traction Company. The streetcar line ceased operations in September 1925. The tracks parallel the present day State Route 2 through Paden City.

The McCoy’s (who owned the streetcar company) built Paden Park in the south end of town in 1909. It offered residents a large dance floor, roller skating rink, carousel, and trap and skeet shooting. It was razed in 1944 but was enjoyed by residents for many years. Local historians have said that the carousel was delivered to Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh during World War II, but no documentation has been found.

In 1911 and 1912 the first baseball team was fielded and a four-room school building was built on North Fourth Avenue adjacent to Stephens Street. It provided 8 years of schooling. This later became Paden City High School. A “pick-up” football team was assembled and nicknamed the “Wildcats” for their tenacious play in 1919.

Be sure and visit the Paden City Museum and Cultural Center to see the vast display of artifacts, pictures and written materials depicting our town, its businesses, schools and its people. The Museum is located at

105 W. Main Street and is a project of the Paden City Foundation, Inc. The good old days are here at the Paden City Museum on Thursdays from 1 – 3 PM, Fridays from 1 – 3 PM and Saturdays from 9 – 11 AM. See you there.