State Motto: “Montani Semper Liberi” (Mountaineers Are Always Free)

State Bird: Cardinal

State Tree: Sugar Maple

State Animal: Black Bear

State Fruit: Golden Delicious Apple

State Flower: Rhododendron

Some famous West Virginians

Pearl S. Buck – Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning author was born in Hillsboro, Pocahontas County.

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson – Born in Clarksburg, Harrison County. The Confederate General’s boyhood home became the first state 4-H Club Camp in the United States.

Anna Jarvis – The founder of Mother’s Day, which was first officially celebrated at a Methodist church in Grafton and became a national holiday in 1914. She was born in Webster, near Grafton.

Don Knotts – Actor best known for his role as “Barney Fife” from “The Andy Griffith Show.” Born and raised in Morgantown, Monongalia County.

Kathy Mattea – World renowned country music artist was born and raised in Cross Lanes, Kanawha County.

Marian McQuade – The founder of Grandparents’ Day, which was first celebrated in West Virginia in 1973. It became a nationally designated day in 1979. She was born in Caperton and lives in Oak Hill.

Brad Paisley – Country music star and actor, born in Glen Dale.

Mary Lou Retton – 1984 Olympic Gold Medal winner in gymnastics is from Fairmont, Marion County.

Sam Snead – (deceased) world famous golfer, resided in White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County.

Booker T. Washington – Black educational leader and the first president of Tuskegee Institute, raised in Malden, Kanawha County.

Jerry West – Former professional basketball star of the Los Angeles Lakers, was born in Cabin Creek, Kanawha County.

Brigadier General Charles Yeager, U.S.A.F. Retired – First person to fly faster than the speed of sound, was born in Myra, Lincoln County.