The country roads are taking us all home this weekend as we take time to recognize the anniversary of our state’s founding.

Born in the midst of the American Civil War, through a method of which the legality is still debated today, West Virginia was admitted into the nation on June 20, 1863, separating from Virginia, and becoming a key area between the Union and Confederate states.

Its unique shape is owed to the pre-established borders of other states, formed by geography and landmarks like the Ohio River along its western edges, as well as colonial settlements over land disputes.

The area now known as West Virginia had been proposed to be its own colony or state at various times before 1863. At one point, the idea of Westsylvania was proposed, arising from the different social conditions and beliefs between the eastern and western portions of Virginia.

Philip Doddridge of Brooke County, in 1829, found for reform to provide more fairness for the western residents, but was quickly rejected.

Even prior to the Revolution, the possibility of creating a colony known as Vandalia, comprised of much of today’s West Virginia and northeastern Kentucky, was proposed.

Other possible names raised, both before and after the creation of the state, included Kanawha, Allegheny, Augusta, Columbia, New Virginia, and Western Virginia.

Whatever we are, or have been, called, this is a time to celebrate West Virginia, its people, its culture, its history, its beauty, and its potential.

We, as a state, have had our ups and downs, and I’m sure there will be more down the road, but we continue to persevere.

We are influenced by the Indigenous people who have called this area home for centuries, as well as the Scotch-Irish and German settlers who came here in the early 1700s, and those who arrived many years later to answer the calls of coal, steel, glass and other industries.

West Virginians are a proud, independent people, who can be both suspect of strangers and welcoming to visitors. We work hard for what we have, take care of our families and neighbors, showcase our natural beauty, and cheer on our sports teams.

West Virginia is about adventure.

Whether we were born here, or are visiting for the first or 10th time, there is something new to discover every time we venture out into the hills and valleys.

We are a state of industry and art, explorers and inventors, athletes, poets, scientists, and public servants.

I’m willing to bet a person can live here their entire lives and still learn something new about their own neighborhood on a given day.

We show off that spirit which has burned for centuries, whether it be through the back-breaking labor of the remaining coal and steel workers, the artistry of our crafters and artisans, the talent of our farmers.

There is detailed effort to preserve our history and culture, with signage and memorials marking the contributions of important people or the location of milestone events. We build opportunity through our rugged terrain, with rafting, ziplining, mountain climbing, and more, while creating opportunities to explore with special tourism-based programs such as the Very Important Parks Person, the Waterfall Trail, and Swingo.

We are far greater than the stereotypical tropes of popular media. We come together as a community when times are difficult, to ensure we will make it out on the other side of whatever challenge we are facing at that moment.

We are West Virginia. We are Mountaineers. We are free. That’s something that will never change.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is part of the news staff of The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)