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Alderson Lion Legends & Lore Marker Dedication

Historic Marker Unveiling
Thursday, September 12th, 2019 11:00am to 12:00pm
Alderson Visitors Center Overlook: 1447 E Riverview Ave, Alderson, WV 24910

Alderson Main Street, Inc. and the Town of Alderson will host a dedication ceremony for a new Legends & Lore marker recognizing the legend of “French,” also known as the Alderson Lion. The dedication will take place beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the overlook across the street from the Alderson Visitors Center in Alderson, W. Va.

Local lore says that the story of the Alderson Lion goes back to the 1890s when a lion cub from a circus was raised by a local resident. It was able to roam free in the town until it frightened a salesman who jumped into a nearby river to escape. The town passed a law requiring all lions to be on a leash.

The marker will be placed next to a metal lion sculpture created by Michael Loop in 2017 and funded by the Hamilton Family Foundation.

Marker Inscription
ALDERSON LION
“FRENCH” RAISED HERE 1890-1894
ADOPTED FROM TRAVELING CIRCUS.
ROAMED FREE UNTIL FRIGHTENING
SALESMAN WHO JUMPED IN RIVER.
LIONS MUST NOW BE LEASHED.
WEST VIRGINIA HUMANITIES COUNCIL
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2019