WV 42 original routing 1922 Official

WV 42 extended to Judy Gap 1931 Official

In 1932, WV 42 was extended north with WV 5 to Seneca Rocks, then as new primary routing to just outside Petersburg, then replaced WV 45 through Mt. Storm and Elk Garden to Maryland at Blaine. This made WV 42 140 miles long at that point.
In 1935, WV 42 south was truncated to its current endpoint, with the route down to Minnehaha Springs becoming part of WV 28. Today this is a bit of WV 39 west of Minnehaha Springs then WV 92 to Judy Gap except: CR 8 and 8/1 at Green Bank. WV 42 followed WV 28 to Petersburg except: CR 33/8 at Judy Gap which no longer crosses the S. Potomac River; CR 9/6 in Riverton; CR 28/1 north of Seneca Rocks; CR 28/9 in Cabins; CR 28/10 Redman Rd near Petersburg

WV 45 from Petersburg to Mayland 1931 Official

WV 42 extended to Petersburg, then replaced WV 45 1932 Official

WV 42 south truncated to Petersburg 1939 Rand McN

In 1938, WVDOH studied requesting replacing WV 42 from Petersburg to Mt, Storm with an unspecified US route number. It is unclear if they formally requested this or not but it obviously did not happen.
Between 1950-66, WV 42 was removed from CR 42/14 and CR 1 in Scherr.
In 1969 (bridge date) WV 42 was removed from CR 50/11 in Northern Grant County.
Between 1973-82, WV 42 was removed from CR 42/15 Old Rt 42 just north of WV 28.
Improvements: In 1924, WV 42 was paved from below Dunmore to Durbin
In 1932, WV 42 was paved from Minnehaha Springs to Dunmore; Petersburg to Maryland
WV 42 became fully paved in 1935 by virtue of its truncation to Petersburg
WV 42 has no multilane segments.
Comment: WV 42 is blown off by US 48 but can be accessed not far away via WV 93 towards Bismarck.