Editing Mannington, West Virginia (section)

===Oil and gas boom===
A new chapter in Mannington's history began in 1889 with the first oil drilling, following recommendations made by Dr. [[Israel C. White]], a well-known geologist who later became West Virginia State Geologist. Although many felt that the area was unfavorable for [[oil reserves]], White persisted and soon gained enough local support to drill. Following the first strike, late in 1889, real estate prices soared 100% in two days in a boom-town mentality. The Mannington field became one of the largest in the state, with the largest well producing about {{convert|1600|oilbbl/d}}.

Dr. White also pushed for [[natural gas]] exploration. It was this venture, more successful than any before or since, that was most responsible for Mannington's growth. The population increased from approximately 700 people in the late 19th century to over 4,000 by 1917. By 1900, Mannington was a thriving town, complete with its own trolley system, electricity, theaters, schools, fire department, telephones and other amenities. The Mannington School Building, constructed in 1902–1903, was the pride of both the town and the state. In 1923, Albert Heck began the formation of the first community radio cable system from Mannington to its outlying areas.