For the past 90 years, West Virginia’s 8th graders have been taking a very important test: the Golden Horseshoe Exam. Thousands of students take it, but only the top 200ish receive the coveted Golden Horseshoe Pin to signify their impressive grasp of West Virginia history.

Go ahead and take the quiz as you read! You’ll find all the answers at the end of the article.

We raided the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Database, and came up with a few questions for you to try your hand at to see - are you as smart as a West Virginia eighth grader?
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin/Flickr
The answers are at the end of the article.
This Wheeling native served as architect of the U.S. Capitol from 1923 to 1954.
Crisco 1492/Wikipedia
A. Walter Martens B. Rus Warne C. David Lynn D. Archibald Campbell E. Stephen Ayers
On April 18, 1861, federal troops under the command of this officer set fire to the U.S. armory and arsenal in Harpers Ferry prior to the town's capture by confederate forces.
Wikipedia
A. Colonel Thomas J. Jackson B. Colonel Dixon Miles C. Captain John Brown D. General George B. McClellan E. Lieutenant Roger Jones
This former WVU football player became a quarterback for the New York Jets in 2013.
NT1952/Wikipedia
A. Jeff Hostetler B. Clint Trickett C. Geno Smith D. Mark Bulger E. Oliver Luck

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Stewart Creek native Carl Keith was the co-inventor of this vehicle emissions control device.
Robert Jack 啸风 Will/Wikipedia
A. exhaust gas recirculator B. three-way catalytic converter C. exhaust pipe D. two-way catalytic converter E. air conditioner
These two women artists, born in Monongalia County in 1878 and 1903, were distant cousins.
West Virginia And Regional History Collection/Wikipedia
A. Lily Irene Jackson and May Hardman Gilruth B. Susan Holbrook and Elaine Gates C. Blanche Lazzell and Grace Martin Taylor D. Mary Elizabeth Price and Lavinia Teerlinc E. Harriet Backer and Mary Cassatt
The first capitol of West Virginia was located in what city?
West Virginia State Archives
A. Clarksburg B. Charleston C. Wheeling D. Morgantown E. Fairmont
What was the name of the first news paper published in present-day West Virginia?
Jon S/Flickr
A. Greenbriar Independent B. Wheeling Intelligencer C. Potomak Guardian D. Hampshire Review E. Spirit of Jefferson
Elm Grove Stone Arch Bridge crosses this waterway.
Bwsmith84/Wikipedia
A. Ohio B. Little Wheeling Creek C. Girty Run D. Short Creek E. Middle Wheeling Creek

See the answers below! So tell us! How’d you do (see answers below)? Did you take the Golden Horseshoe Exam as an 8th grader? Do you have a pin to show for it? Were any of these questions on your test? Stick around Only In West Virginia for awhile, and we’ll keep giving you the scoop on all the interesting state history we can find!

If you enjoyed this little quiz, you can find 214 more on the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History Website. They also have a daily question you can do if you like your history in smaller doses.

Answers: C. David Lynn, E. Lieutenant Roger Jones, C. Geno Smith, B. three-way catalytic converter, C. Blanche Lazzell and Grace Martin Taylor, C. Wheeling, C. Potomak Guardian, B. Little Wheeling Creek

 

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