Mason-Dixon Line Western Crossings
"Extending the Line" page

Welcome to the West Virginia Panhandle!
If the Mason-Dixon Line was extended to the Ohio River, it would run along the border of Marshall and Wetzel counties in West Virginia. Though no Mason and Dixon-related surveying was done beyond Pennsylvania's southwest corner, there are some who still call this the "Mason-Dixon Line" because of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which refers to a division between free and slave states.
So late in 2006, Colleen Nelson and I undertook an expedition to the place where this line meets the Ohio River.
Thanks to Tom James for being our terrific guide!

Looking north into Marshall County along West Virginia Route 2. While a state historical marker proclaims this the Mason-Dixon Line, I might argue that claim since this border was not surveyed in relationship to the original Mason-Dixon Line.

A unique border marker that separates Marshall and Wetzel counties.

Tom James looks through some papers at the marker between Marshall and Wetzel counties.

Pete joins Tom at the marker that separates Marshall and Wetzel counties.

Pete and Colleen in a photo taken by Tom at the marker.

A closeup of a plaque on the border marker that proclaims this as an extension of the Mason-Dixon Line.

An old stone bridge over Dry Run just south of the current county line.

A broad view looking north from Dry Run in Wetzel County toward Marshall County.

Looking west along Dry Run toward its mouth at the Ohio River.

A broad view looking west along Dry Run toward the Ohio River. The hill in the background is in the state of Ohio.

The Marshall County historical marker along W.Va. Route 2.

A concrete marker Pete discovered along the west side of Route 2.

Looking west from the concrete marker. Wetzel County is to the left; Marshall to the right.

The Wetzel County historical marker along Route 2.

Another view looking north along W.Va. Route 2.

Tom stands next to the concrete marker on the west side of W.Va. Route 2.

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The last crossings (near Ned, Pa.)
Near the real end of The Line
From Ned to U.S. 19 and I-79
Near Mount Morris, Pa., and Morgantown
Brown's Hill
(Mason and Dixon's westernmost site)

The Dunkard Creek crossings
(where Mason and Dixon were stopped) From U.S. 19 and I-79 eastward
To Chestnut Ridge Lake Lynn Dam
It forms Cheat Lake

West of The Line
If it was extended west to the Ohio River
Easternmost Western Crossings
Random crossings east of Chestnut Ridge
The Tripoint
Where W.Va., Md. and Pa. meet

The Transpeninsular Line
Delaware's southern border Delaware's southwest corner
Another end of The Line
Mason-Dixon markers I've visited
Some are out of the way

Coming soon

Coming soon

To come: The Ellicott Line
Along Pa.'s western border

Back to the main page
The starting point
Highways that cross The Line
State and U.S. roads, Interstates Links page
See what else is out there

The last crossings (near Ned, Pa.) Near the real end of The Line	From Ned to U.S. 19 and I-79 Near Mount Morris, Pa., and Morgantown	Brown's Hill (Mason and Dixon's westernmost site)
The Dunkard Creek crossings (where Mason and Dixon were stopped)	From U.S. 19 and I-79 eastward To Chestnut Ridge	Lake Lynn Dam It forms Cheat Lake
West of The Line If it was extended west to the Ohio River	Easternmost Western Crossings Random crossings east of Chestnut Ridge	The Tripoint Where W.Va., Md. and Pa. meet
The Transpeninsular Line Delaware's southern border	Delaware's southwest corner Another end of The Line	Mason-Dixon markers I've visited Some are out of the way
Coming soon	Coming soon	To come: The Ellicott Line Along Pa.'s western border
Back to the main page The starting point	Highways that cross The Line State and U.S. roads, Interstates	Links page See what else is out there