There’s an extraordinary Statue of Liberty hiding in West Virginia – and most people don’t know about it. No, she’s not made of gold, but she is very old and made of the hearts and souls of a group of exceptional young boys. The backstory behind this little State of Liberty in the Mountain State is both heartwarming and inspiring.

Back in 1950, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 40th Anniversary.
©Jeff Carpenter
And while similar celebratory occasions for the Boy Scouts would plausibly be marked with a camping trip to someplace extra special, in 1950, they celebrated with a campaign that would bring 200 of these extraordinary statues to life around the U.S. The "Strenghten the Arm of Liberty" campaign began on the heels of WWII soon after boy scout troops around the country saw their fathers return from duty.
One scout master is credited with masterminding the idea and the Scouts went to work raising funds. Each one of these 200 replicas cost $350.
©Jeff Carpenter
They were manufactured in Chicago, stand 8.5 feet tall, weigh 300 pounds and were stamped out of copper.

Related Stories

Escape To The Country When You Spend The Night On A Working West Virginia Farm

Escape To The Country When You Spend The Night On A Working West Virginia Farm

 This Mid-Century Modern West Virginia Motel Was Just Dubbed Having The Best Vintage Style

This Mid-Century Modern West Virginia Motel Was Just Dubbed Having The Best Vintage Style

 We Love Visiting This Underrated Roadside Waterfall Cove In West Virginia

We Love Visiting This Underrated Roadside Waterfall Cove In West Virginia
After 68 years, not many of these Lady Libertys are still in existence.
©Jeff Carpenter
In fact, only ONE was placed in West Virginia — and you'll be happy to know she's safe and sound right in front of the VFW #629 post in Fairmont. The plaque beneath her feet says she is Dedicated to Veterans of All Wars by American Legion Post 17. The plaque also bears a date of 2004, when the statue was moved to its present location.
If you want to visit the only Boy Scouts of America Lady Liberty in West Virginia, she's located at 802 Fairmont Avenue in Fairmont.
Facebook/City of Fairmont - City Hall

Love being from the Mountain State? Here are 20 Reasons Why People From West Virginia Are Proud – And Rightfully So.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles