After the Civil War, Sistersville was a sleepy farming community. The only excitement was the occasional packet boat carrying mail, supplies, and passengers. The first public school opened in 1892, costing $4,000 to build. The building included four classrooms and a small library on the second floor. The school year lasted four months and teachers made $30 a month. A trolley line served the town.
Located in Tyler County, Sistersville is located on the Ohio River, about fifty miles from Wheeling. The community boasts a good school system, several churches, and many industry facilities. Oil and natural gas are the city's leading industries. In fact, the state's second-largest oil field is located in the town. Sistersville's residents hail from all over the United States. Natural gas is used for lighting, and the city uses it for fuel and electricity.
During the late 1890s, settlers in the area built a tavern and a farm. They left the land to their daughters, Sarah and Delilah, who platted town lots in 1815. Sistersville was named after these enterprising sisters. The town was incorporated in 1839. During the Civil War, the town's citizens held mixed loyalties.
In 1892, Sistersville became the site of an oil boom. The discovery of oil near the town's wells resulted in a dramatic increase in population. By October 1892, there were 164 oil wells operating, producing 16,543 barrels of oil a day. Oil was selling for 55 cents a barrel. Sistersville's population has steadily declined since the early days of the oil boom.