Craig Howell UNVEILED – State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, was joined by New Cumberland city officials and other guests, Thursday, in unveiling a new sign along River Avenue. The sign, made of steel, depicts New Cumberland’s location in West Virginia, as well as the date of the city’s founding.

NEW CUMBERLAND – A new type of sign has started sprouting up in communities throughout the Northern Panhandle, thanks to one area legislator, with the newest one making its way to Hancock County.

State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, joined New Cumberland city officials and other guests Thursday to unveil the sign, made of steel and depicting the state of West Virginia. Like the others recently installed, it has a star to show the city’s location in the state and features the date of 1839, when New Cumberland was founded — originally as Vernon, but often referred to as Cuppytown in honor of John Cuppy.

It would later be renamed New Cumberland — after Cumberland, Md. — and officially incorporated in 1872.

Chapman launched the sign program earlier this year through the use of Local Economic Development Assistance funds, with an eye on boosting tourism and community pride.

“I wanted to do something to give back to our communities,” Chapman said.

She said she considers New Cumberland to be very special, noting its great neighborhoods and hard-working people, and adding she and her family always enjoy visiting the city for its annual Fall River Festival.

“This is a community with heart,” she said, offering thanks to Mayor Will White, City Clerk Tammy Jenkins and the others involved in getting the sign installed.

White extended the city’s thanks to Chapman for including New Cumberland in the program.

“It will last for generations,” he said of the sign located along River Avenue.

Chapman noted the steel for the signs was provided by Warwood Tool, located in Wheeling, with the machining performed by TK Innovations, also in Wheeling.

A similar sign already has been unveiled in Cameron, in Marshall County, with Chapman saying there are plans to soon have signs in Weirton and Beech Bottom, with one possibly also going to Chester.