HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 46

(By Delegates  Gearheart, Householder, Romine, Phillips, White, B., Ellington, Paynter, Marcum, Shott and Evans, E.)

[Introduced March 2, 2017; Referred to the Committee on Roads and Transportation]

Requesting that the Division of Highways name the bridge numbered 19-0.01 24A293, (at 37.41606, -81.43625), originally known as the “Northfork Bridge,” located in Northfork, McDowell County, carrying County Route 24-52 over Elkhorn Creek, the “Blue Demon Bridge.”

Whereas, The Northfork High School’s sobriquet, going back to 1966, was the “Blue Demons;” and

Whereas, Sports fans from across this state still talk about the Blue Demon’s boys’ basketball teams that won Class AA state championships in 1971 and 1984, as well as a national record eight straight from 1974 through 1981; and

Whereas, When this state inaugurated the first girls’ basketball tournament in 1976, the “Demonettes” won then as well in 1977 and 1979; and

Whereas, The Blue Demons’ 1973 football team had a perfect season record of 12 and 0; and

Whereas, Over the nineteen years in which Northfork High was in existence, the boys’ basketball team compiled an amazing record of 112 wins to only 12 losses on their home floor; and

Whereas, Although Northfork High School has been closed for over thirty years, the memories are just as vivid today as when they were being made decades ago for all who attended this legendary school, forever holding a place in the hearts of former students and teachers; and

Whereas, This school, as well, will always be remembered by all who saw the Blue Demons play, or heard of their exploits, as the source of the nickname for the town that is still known today as “the basketball capital of the United States;” therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge numbered 19-0.01 24A293, (at 37.41606, -81.43625), originally known as the “Northfork Bridge,” located in Northfork, McDowell County, carrying County Route 24-52 over Elkhorn Creek, the “Blue Demon Bridge;” and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both sides of the bridge numbered 24A293 which is located in Northfork in McDowell County proclaiming its name to be the “Blue Demon Bridge;” and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.