Editing Shady Spring, West Virginia (section)

==Etymology==

The community takes its name from a nearby spring.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kenny|first=Hamill|title=West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015009099824;view=1up;seq=592;size=125|year=1945|publisher=The Place Name Press|location=Piedmont, WV|page=566}}</ref> “The ‘Shady Spring’ was an enduring landmark, never known to ‘run dry’ and served as a focal point for the community, especially for the women, many of whom would come bearing washtubs...,” according to “A History of Shady Spring District." The first business in Shady was the Pioneer Inn and Tavern, established in 1832 by Henry Hull and his brothers. The first official post office was established on Aug. 25, 1925, and the first postmistress was Mrs. Sarah Willis.<ref>''A History of Shady Spring District, Compiled and Published by the Shady Spring District Woman’s Club'' (1979). Central Printing Co., Beckley, W.Va. 343-347.</ref>

General [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], future [[President of the United States]], was in the area during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. He “described the spring in 1862: ‘A large spring gives the name to this place. The water gushes out copiously, runs on the surface a few [[rod (unit)|rods]] and runs again into the earth,” according to “Raleigh County: West Virginia” by Jim Wood.<ref>Wood, Jim (1994). Raleigh County: West Virginia. BJW Printing & Office Supplies, Beckley, W. Va. 643.
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[[Basil L. Plumley|Basil L.Plumley]], a decorated soldier who fought in [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]] and the [[Vietnam War]] was a native of Shady Spring. He was best known for the role he played in the [[Battle of Ia Drang]] in Vietnam.