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.

See

• 1 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.  
• 2 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.

International Mothers Day Shrine

Grafton National Cemetery

Do

• 1 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)

Eat

• Lesa's Place, Rt. 50 (W of the tygart river bridge), ☏ +1 304-265-1995. Daily 7AM-2PM. Breakfast and lunch. Sandwiches and salads $. 

Sleep

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

Go next

Routes through Grafton

Clarksburg ← Bridgeport ←	W  E	→ Romney → Winchester
New Stanton ← Morgantown ←	N  S	→ Buckhannon → Weston
Wheeling ← Fairmont ←	N  S	→ Elkins → Staunton