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The Town of Paw Paw, WV The Town of Paw Paw was established in 1891.
This chorus of the popular children's folk song, "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch" refers to the paw paw fruit, which has been nicknamed the "West Virginia banana". The paw paw fruit first originated in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, in Morgan County. It can still be found growing wild along the banks of the Potomac River. The town of Paw Paw took its name from the fruit that was discovered here. George Washington once suggested that by breaking through the mountain barrier the Potomac and Ohio rivers could be connected. In 1836 the 14-year construction began on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. In 1842 during construction, a tunnel had to be dug out of the ridge of the mountain. Due to the ridge being covered with paw paws, the tunnel was named Paw Paw Tunnel. The Paw Paw Foundation describes the paw paw tree as a small deciduous tree with large droopy leaves and slender branches resembling something normally seen in the tropics. However the paw paw tree bears fruit best in temperate climates. The fruit of the tree most resembles a banana in looks and growing behavior. The paw paw can be found growing in clusters on the tree and it tastes similar to a banana. However it is part of the custard apple family. The trees begin to bear fruit in August and the fruit ripens by late September and October. For the most part, the paw paw trees are located along the river and the wildlife eats the fruit. The town of Paw Paw commemorated its namesake by planting two paw paw trees at the Paw Paw post office in 1984. While you are visiting us, be sure to go out and find yourself a Paw Paw tree or two just for the fun of it. If the fruit is ripe, try and let us know what you think it tastes like. See you soon! Heritage
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