Living in the Past: From the photo archives: the Compton family of Nutter Fort

Friday, March 29, 2024

From the photo archives: the Compton family of Nutter Fort

The photos I am sharing today belong to Ralph Murphy’s slide collection, which my husband received from his Aunt Jean in 2012. This extensive collection comprises 21 boxes of slides, totaling thousands, all captured by Uncle Ralph. These images span the years from 1947 to 1984. Among them are scenic shots from their travels across the United States, glimpses of family members, and candid moments with friends and co-workers. I digitized most of these slides several years ago, and they continue to bring me joy.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Ralph and Jean Murphy shared cherished moments with their neighbors, Warren and Peggy (Pitts) Compton, along with their sons Gregory (Greg) and Philip. The two families resided across the street from each other on West Virginia Avenue in Nutter Fort, Harrison County, West Virginia. Ralph, who always kept his camera close at hand, took a series of photos that captured the essence of their lives during that time, such as drag racing, springtime in the neighborhood, Blackwater Falls after a snowstorm, a Christmas celebration, a picnic by the lake, and even a portrait photo session with the family.

Warren and Peggy standing in front of a 1940 Ford Coupe

The box of slides containing the photos posted here contained an index that indicated these people were the Compton family. Once I discovered that, I did a little research on ancestry.com and quickly found Warren and Peggy living in Nutter Fort. I next shared a couple of the photos with Beth, my contact at the Clarksburg History Museum, knowing she could share the photos with others who may be able to identify the family. Pete, one of the museum volunteers, and a racing enthusiast with deep knowledge for West Virginia and the tri-state area, identified the black hot rod featured in the photos. He promptly reached out to Warren’s oldest son, Greg, who still resides in the area. Pete and Beth orchestrated a virtual call, allowing us to share these long-lost family memories with Greg.

The call was initially scheduled to begin at 2 PM and last for one hour. However, as the conversation unfolded, we found ourselves engrossed in stories and laughter, and before we knew it, it was 7 PM! My husband sat in on the call as well and was able to share some of his memories of Ralph and Jean with the others.

Meeting Beth and Pete, whom I have been corresponding with since last summer, was an absolute pleasure. Their genuine warmth and enthusiasm for history extended far beyond our call. But the true icing on the cake was the opportunity to connect with Greg—one of the subjects of this group of photos. Greg fondly remembered Ralph and Jean, who he said were always kind to him. They were not just neighbors; they embraced him as part of their own family. And it is with Greg’s permission that I share these photos.

Warren and his brother Gerald shared a passion for race cars. As skilled fabricators in the racing world, they owned the Compton Sheet Metal and Roofing Company. Their craftsmanship extended beyond roofs and metalwork; it fueled their love for speed and adrenaline.

In the late 1950s, a local car club known as the Centipede Car Club (The Centipedes), raced at the North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), also referred to as the Benedum Airport. On Sunday afternoons during the years 1958–1959, this public airport in Bridgeport, Harrison County, West Virginia, transformed into their drag racing playground with the airport’s runway acting as their track.

The three photos below capture moments from those days at the airport. In the first photo, a hot rod convertible, once owned by the late Nick Alvaro, takes center stage. Remarkably, this car still exists and now belongs to his son.

Warren is the man wearing the reddish colored shirt

The next three photos showcase Warren’s exceptional craftsmanship and passion. In these photos, he proudly stands alongside a silver slingshot dragster, sitting on a trailer. What makes this so impressive is the fact that Warren personally constructed both the dragster and the trailer. Both were crafted in the Broadway neighborhood at their metal shop. The Compton house in Nutter Fort appears in the background.

Within Ralph’s photo archive, the next three photos are labeled ‘Gregory Compton.’ In the first photo, Greg is standing alongside Ralph and Jean’s beloved dog, Boogie. Boogie was a faithful companion, joining Ralph and Jean on countless adventures. The dogwood tree beside Greg was planted shortly after Ralph and Jean moved into their Nutter Fort home. Greg fondly remembered playing with the green truck he is holding in the photos, once sold at the racetrack.

The next three photos of Greg and his mother, Peggy, capture the warmth and joy of Christmas morning at the Compton family home, likely in 1959. Greg fondly remembered the curtains shown in the photo.

Clarksburg, during the winter of 1959–1960, encountered the 11th snowiest season in its history, with a total snowfall of 47.5 inches. It is safe to assume that the following group of photos was captured during that snowy season. Undoubtedly experiencing a touch of cabin fever, the two families drove to Blackwater Falls State Park, located approximately 74 miles from Nutter Fort in West Virginia.

Peggy, Warren, and Greg

Warren, Peggy, and Greg

Warren, Peggy, Jean, and Greg

Greg

At first glance, the car in the next photo bears a striking resemblance to the one featured in the first springtime photo above. But, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that it is a different vehicle altogether.

Warren

Warren and Jean

Lodge at Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls, one of the few times it has been frozen over to this degree

Peggy

Greg, Peggy, and Jean

This next series of photos show the two families enjoying a day at Tygart Lake, located four miles south of Grafton, Taylor County, West Virginia. Ralph owned the AristoCraft Torpedo 14 Boat seen in the photos; he and Jean often took it to Tygart Lake for boating and skiing. In fact, they were members of the Tygart Lake Boat Club. You can see the club logo in two photos in this series. My husband remembers the boat was lightweight and fast, and fun to ride in. He recalls riding in his parent’s boat alongside Ralph’s. Ralph would pass them, make a sharp turn, and spray their boat with water. Ralph’s boat was his pride and joy; he absolutely loved it. When not on the water, Ralph parked it inside the lower garage of their Nutter Fort house, safeguarding it from the elements.

Greg, Peggy, and Warren

Greg

Warren

Peggy

Warren and Peggy

Warren, Peggy, and Jean

Peggy

Greg

Boogie and Greg

Peggy and Warren

Ralph in his boat

A random photo of Greg.

The last series of photos was grouped together with other portrait-style photos. In this collection, you will find Warren and Peggy’s second son, Philip, in addition to Greg.