At Yeater Outdoors, we believe preserving our heritage matters. Appalachia has always understood the importance of stewardship—not only of the land and its wildlife, but also of its traditions, its history, and its people. We hope this section of our website will become more than a collection of dates and photographs. On the surface, Cameron is simply a small town tucked away among the rolling hills of Marshall County, WV. To those who call it home, however, it is much more than a dot on a map. Our roots run deep in these Appalachian hills, and we believe preserving Cameron’s history is every bit as important as preserving its future. This page is dedicated not only to the history of our town, but also to the hardworking men and women whose hands built it.

Founded alongside the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1852, Cameron grew into one of northern West Virginia’s most industrious communities. Railroad workers, glassmakers, potters, dairy farmers, tool makers, and craftsmen built not only the town itself, but also a way of life defined by hard work, self-reliance, community and resilience. But Cameron’s history isn’t measured solely by its factories, railroads and industries of the past. It is found in the stories of the families who have called these hills home for generations. Small family businesses have always been the backbone of Cameron—from general stores and machine shops to taxidermists and outdoor craftsmen. Their contributions may not always appear in history books, but they helped shape the character of this remarkable town.

The History of Cameron, West Virginia

Nestled among the rolling hills of Marshall County in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, Cameron is a small town with a remarkable history. Although slight in size today, Cameron was once one of the region’s most prosperous industrial and railroad communities. Its story is one of pioneers, railroads, manufacturing, innovation, and generations of hardworking people who helped shape both the town and the state of West Virginia.

The history of Cameron begins long before the town itself existed. The area was first settled in 1788 by the Himes brothers—Joseph, Christopher, and John—who constructed a blockhouse for protection on the Virginia frontier. Another early settler, Robert Rush, established a blacksmith shop at what became known as “Rush’s Fork of the Road,” near the center of present-day Cameron. For decades, the surrounding countryside consisted primarily of farms and small settlements scattered throughout the valley. Everything changed with the arrival of the railroad.

The Town the Railroad Built

Cameron owes its existence to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, America’s first commercial railroad. Completed through the area in December of 1852, the railroad connected the town with Baltimore to the east and Wheeling and Pittsburgh to the north. It immediately transformed what had been a rural farming community into an important transportation hub.

The town was named after Samuel Cameron, a prominent right-of-way agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The honor of naming the town was bestowed upon David McConaughey, an Irish railroad worker and friend of Samuel Cameron. Tragically, Samuel Cameron died of cholera in 1853 shortly after the railroad was completed, but his name remains forever tied to the community.

Cameron’s location proved particularly important to the railroad. Situated between Glover Gap and the western grades of the B&O line, helper engines were stationed here to assist freight trains navigating the steep terrain. Railroad facilities including engine houses, fuel depots, sand houses, switching yards, and employee housing brought hundreds of railroad workers and their families to Cameron. For generations, railroad employment became synonymous with Cameron itself. Engineers, conductors, brakemen, mechanics, and laborers raised their families here while trains ran continuously through town. The whistle of locomotives became the soundtrack of daily life. Today, although the railroad tracks are gone, their influence remains evident throughout the community.

The Historic B&O Depot

One of Cameron’s greatest treasures is its historic 1878 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Freight Depot. Constructed just twenty-five years after the railroad’s arrival, the depot served as the center of commercial activity for decades. Located near the geographical center of town along what is now Railroad Street, the depot connected Cameron’s business district with its churches, schools, and neighborhoods. Goods produced by local factories were shipped throughout the nation while merchandise arrived daily for local merchants.

The depot is one of the few surviving structures from Cameron’s railroad era and is recognized as a contributing structure within the Cameron National Register Historic District. Through the efforts of countless volunteers and community members, extensive restoration work has preserved this important landmark for future generations. The railroad may no longer run through Cameron, but the depot remains as a monument to the town that the B&O built.

An Industrial Powerhouse

While the railroad brought people to Cameron, industry allowed it to flourish. By the late nineteenth century, natural gas had been discovered in abundance near Cameron, providing inexpensive fuel that attracted manufacturers from throughout the region. At one time, Cameron possessed an astonishing variety of industries for a town of its size. The town’s first factory was established in 1869 when Miller and Boerner began manufacturing wooden staves for barrels and kegs. Historical accounts note the factory produced enough staves for one thousand kegs every day. And the industrial expansion that followed was extraordinary.

Glass Manufacturing

Cameron became an important center for glass manufacturing during the early twentieth century.

The Patterson Glass and Manufacturing Company was established in 1901 and became one of West Virginia’s oldest window glass manufacturers. Taking advantage of inexpensive natural gas and readily available raw materials, the factory employed approximately 150 workers producing hand-blown window glass. Additional glass manufacturers soon followed. The Cameron Glass Company was organized in 1914 before expanding and consolidating operations with several neighboring companies to become the Cameron Glass and Manufacturing Company. The plant produced lamp chimneys, lantern globes, stemware, tumblers, and decorative pressed glass products in numerous colors including crystal, amber, green, and rose.

Glass produced in Cameron found its way into homes across America.

Cameron Pottery

Among Cameron’s most significant industries was its pottery manufacturing. The first pottery works were established during the late 1890s through the efforts of Mike Benedum and his associates. Although the original enterprise struggled financially during its early years, new ownership in 1907 transformed the facility into what became known as the Eljer Company of New Jersey. Under the leadership of O. J. Backus, R. E. Crane, and later D. F. Merritt, innovations including the round tank and round lavatory allowed the company to flourish. By 1913, business had grown so substantially that additional manufacturing facilities became necessary.

The Cameron Pottery employed hundreds of workers throughout its history and became well-known for manufacturing sanitary ware and household products. Historical photographs from the 1930s depict busy decorating rooms, expansive kiln sheds containing multiple firing kilns, and skilled artisans producing quality ceramics that were distributed nationwide. The pottery industry provided generations of Cameron families with stable employment and remains an important part of the town’s industrial heritage.

Cameron Tool Company

Founded in 1903, the Cameron Tool Company became another pillar of the local economy. Originally succeeding an oil country tool shop operated by Hoch and Altenburg, the company manufactured industrial equipment serving America’s growing industries.

The business evolved throughout the twentieth century and eventually became what is known today as Camforge, continuing Cameron’s proud tradition of manufacturing excellence and to this day continues to manufacture specialized products that are shipped around the globe.

Carnation Milk Company and Cameron’s Dairy Heritage

Many residents today may not realize that Cameron once played an important role in West Virginia’s dairy industry. During the first half of the twentieth century, the Carnation Milk Company operated a facility in Cameron that served local dairy farmers throughout the region. At a time when family farms dotted nearly every hillside surrounding Cameron, dairy farming provided supplemental income for hundreds of local families. Fresh milk was collected daily and transported to the Carnation facility where it was received, tested, and prepared for shipment and processing. Milk haulers traveled the winding country roads of Marshall County and neighboring communities gathering milk from local producers before delivering it to Cameron.

The Carnation operation provided employment opportunities for local residents while giving area farmers access to one of America’s most recognizable dairy companies. The relationship between Carnation and local agriculture helped sustain countless family farms throughout the region during the early and mid-twentieth century. Historical accounts indicate that Carnation employees were transferred between the company’s various West Virginia facilities, including Cameron and Clarksburg. Following World War II, several employees who had worked in Cameron were transferred elsewhere as the company consolidated operations. Local families were employed as milk haulers, plant workers, and administrators, making Carnation another important contributor to Cameron’s economy during its industrial peak. Today, the name “Carnation Drive” serves as a reminder of this important chapter in Cameron’s history and preserves the memory of an industry that once connected the small town of Cameron with dining tables across America.

Flour Mills and Other Industry

The Hagans and Isleman New Roller Flour Mill represented another important Cameron enterprise. Originally constructed in the 1850s and modernized during the 1870s, the mill served both local farmers and commercial customers throughout the region.

Combined with numerous mercantile businesses, banks, hotels, and professional services, Cameron possessed a remarkably diversified economy for a community of its size. By the early twentieth century, Cameron had grown from fewer than 500 residents in 1880 to approximately 3,000 people. Its prosperity was built upon hard work, manufacturing, and the opportunities provided by the railroad.

Moose’s Taxidermy – Cameron’s Outdoor Heritage

Not all of Cameron’s businesses employed hundreds of workers or occupied large factory buildings. Some of its greatest contributions came from small, family-owned operations that embodied the values and traditions of rural West Virginia. Among them was Moose’s Taxidermy, owned and operated by William “Moose” Yeater and his wife, Stephanie Headley Yeater. Combining their love of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors with their craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, the Yeaters built a true mom-and-pop business serving sportsmen throughout the region. The name “Moose” came from William Yeater’s longtime nickname, a name that would eventually become synonymous with the family’s taxidermy business. Together, Moose and Stephanie preserved treasured memories for hunters and outdoorsmen through their craftsmanship while continuing Cameron’s proud tradition of locally owned businesses.

Moose’s Taxidermy represents an important part of Cameron’s story. While the town is often remembered for its railroads, factories, and industries, it has always been sustained by the hardworking families who invested their time, talents, and passions into serving their neighbors. Businesses like Moose’s Taxidermy remind us that Cameron’s true history is found in the people who called it home. The Yeater family’s roots in the Cameron area span generations, making Moose’s Taxidermy another chapter in the continuing story of a small West Virginia town built upon hard work, community, and an enduring love for the outdoors.

Community and Heritage

Throughout its history, Cameron has remained a close-knit community defined by its people. Churches, schools, civic organizations, and volunteer groups have long formed the foundation of community life. The Cameron Women’s Club played an instrumental role in preserving local history during the 1920s, producing one of the earliest comprehensive histories of the town.

The community’s Irish heritage remains evident today through the town’s name and its railroad origins. Generations of immigrant and working-class families helped transform Cameron into one of Marshall County’s most important communities during its industrial peak. The historic downtown still reflects that prosperous era, with many nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings standing as reminders of Cameron’s remarkable past.

Cameron Today

Like many small Appalachian communities, Cameron experienced significant changes during the latter half of the twentieth century. The decline of railroad operations, changing manufacturing practices, and shifting economic conditions altered the town’s landscape, yet Cameron endures.

Today, visitors will discover a community proud of its heritage and committed to preserving its history. Restoration efforts continue at the historic railroad depot, historic buildings remain throughout town, and local residents maintain a deep appreciation for the generations who built Cameron. Although much smaller than during its industrial peak, Cameron continues to embody the resilience and character that have defined West Virginia communities for more than two centuries. It is a town built by pioneers, carried forward by the railroad, strengthened by industry, and preserved through the dedication of its people and family owned businesses.

This is our heritage, we are proud of the relationships we have built since opening in 2021, and we look forward to serving even more outdoor enthusiasts across our community.

Thank you from all of us at Yeater Outdoors.