WV State Facts

State Songs: "The West Virginia Hills", words and music by Ellen King and H.E. Engle; "This is My West Virginia", by Iris Bell; and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home" by Julian G. Hearne, Jr.

Motto: Mountaineers are always free

Origin of State Name: The state was part of Virginia until the American Civil War (1861-1865).

Nickname for State: The Mountain State. West Virginia lies in the heart of the Appalachian Highlands.

Nickname for residents: West Virginians

State Bird: Cardinal

State Animal: The Black Bear

State Fish: Brook Trout

State Butterfly: Monarch Butterfly

State Flower: Rhododendron

State Tree: Sugar Maple

State Fruit: Golden Delicious Apple

State Soil: Monongahela Silt Loam

State Gem: Fossil Coral

State Colors: Old Gold and Blue