History of WMMN, Fairmont

A true pioneer of radio in West Virginia is WMMN, Fairmont. In 1928, the Holt-Rowe Novelty Company of that city purchased the equipment of WEBH in Chicago. This was transported to Fairmont and set up in the Fairmont Hotel. Broadcasting from a studio on the mezzanine floor, the first program was given to the world on December 22, 1928. The two 90-foot towers on the hotel roof were a landmark.

On March 21, 1935, WMMN was purchased by the Fort Industry Company of Toledo, Ohio, of which George B. Storer is president and J. H. Ryan is vice-president. The studios were moved to the station's present location at 208 Adams Street the latter part of August, 1935, and plans were made to erect a new transmitter building and tower a few miles from Fairmont, near Monongah. To climax a busy year of expansion, WMMN became affiliated with the Columbia Broadcasting System on November 1, and on December 10, 1935, permission was granted by the Federal Communications Commission to increase the station's power from 500 watts daytime and 250 watts nighttime to 1,000 watts daytime and 500 watts at night. Subsequent power increases and added facilities resulted in WMMN's Monongah transmitter building being increased in size, a new Western Electric transmitter installed, three 280-foot towers built, and day-and-night operation with a power of 5,000 watts.

The coverage area of WMMN includes the central and northern part of West Virginia, along with western Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and eastern Ohio. Within this area live 1,129,400 people. However, during October, 1945, the station received mail from thirty-two states and two provinces of Canada.

From a group of eleven people, the staff of WMMN has grown until today forty-six persons are employed, including the station's musicians and entertainers. The executive personnel is comprised of Stanton P. Kettler, managing director; Frank Lee, program director; Robert Hough, chief engineer; and Raymond Warden, office manager.

The most outstanding feature of WMMN's operation is its live talent programming. Since 1940 more than one million pieces of mail have been received as a result of this programming, and the entertainers taking part in the various programs of the station have personally appeared before audiences totaling over three hundred thousand people.

WMMN is especially proud of its educational programs, the oldest of which is presented each week by Fairmont State College. This institution has been broadcasting over the station for sixteen years. A modernly equipped studio is maintained at West Virginia University in Morgantown and programs have been carried from that point for the past eight years.

Touching the life of West Virginia at many vital points as it does, the operating policy of WMMN has always been constant and simple -- to understand and serve. Its entertainment and educational features, news, and daily service are governed by that ideal. The expression of affection and confidence, as told by thousands of listeners' letters, confirms the station's faith and strengthens its purpose. WMMN looks to the future with high hopes; WMMN listeners know they will always get the best from the "5,000 Watts of Friendship, WMMN Fairmont."

Pictures

The following photo is courtesy of Larry Shockley: Blue Bonnet Girls at WMMN. Photo has Ray Stoker or Stokes, 1942 wmmn3.jpg

From the FCC microfiche files, September 19, 1994.

                                  WMMN

12/10/28  Date first licensed.  The licensee was Holt Rowe Novelty Co.,
          Fairmont, WV.  Granted 890kc with 250 watts, 500 watts LS.

 2/17/31  Vol. assign. of lic. to Holt Rowe Broadcasting Co.

 8/30/32  Vol. assign. of lic. to A.M. Rowe, Inc.

  3/5/35  Vol. transfer of cont. of lic. corp. to West Virginia Broadcasting
          Corp.

 4/23/35  Granted a C.P. for 890kc, 500 watts, 1kw LS.  License to cover the
          C.P. granted 1/7/36.

 9/22/36  Vol. mod. of lic. to change the name of the licensee to
          Monongahela Valley Broadcasting Co.

  2/2/38  Granted a C.P. for 890kc, 5kw-D, 1kw DA-N.  License to cover the
          C.P. granted 12/20/38.

 1/17/39  Granted a license to use the old main transmitter (W.E. D-96021)
          as an auxiliary.

10/22/40  Granted a C.P. for 890kc, 5kw DA-N.

 3/28/41  Under NARBA, they were granted 920kc, 5kw LS, 1kw DA-N.

 5/26/43  License granted to cover the C.P., as modified, for 920kc, 5kw
          DA-N.

12/20/48  Vol. assign. of lic. to The Fort Industry Co., eff. 1/9/49.

 6/30/52  Vol. mod. of lic. to change the name of the licensee to Storer
          Broadcasting Co.

 8/19/53  Vol. assign. of lic. to Peoples Broadcasting Corp., eff. 8/31/53.

 12/6/63  Vol. assign. of lic. to Broadcast Enterprises Inc., eff. 12/31/63.

 9/30/74  Vol. assign. of lic. to Marja Broadcasting Corp., eff. 10/31/74.

 9/29/75  Vol. assign. of lic. to Marion Broadcast Corp., eff. 9/3/76.

Additional Notes

On October 15, 1991, the owners from Charleston announced to the eight staff people that it would be WMMN's last day. At midnight the station signed off for the last time with Reid Amos at the controls. Mr. Frank Lee, a WMMN announcer for 48 years said "It's been a real good ship down through the years. The ship finally ran up on the rocks. I guess." Mr. Lee's "Sports Journal" program was one of the longest running continuous shows in the country.

When WMMN had signed off it had been broadcasting for 63 years.

Mr. Nick L. Fantasia tried to buy WMMN, but the owners turned down his offers. Finally in 1992, he purchased the station. In 1992 WMMN began using only use tower number 1 which was built in 1938. Towers 2 and 3 were torn down due to structural problems. WMMN's tower is also home to WGYE 102.7 FM.

WMMN is still the home for FSC Fighting Falcon Sports, Fairmont Senior High Polar Bear Sports, Pirates baseball, and many other professional sports. Reid Amos is the voice for "Fighting Falcon" sports. Joe Sengewalt is his color commentator. Jeff Carpenter is the voice of the Polar Bear Sports.

WMMN aired CNN Headline News until after Labor Day 2001. AM 920 changed to a talk/sports format with Imus in the Morning.