It was established in 1894 and is the fourth oldest law review in the United States.

It was again changed in 1917 to the West Virginia Law Quarterly and The Bar and remained so until 1950 when it obtained its current title.

As Willey was a prominent and active member of the West Virginia Bar Association, the early years of The Bar were closely associated with it.

The Bar was at first funded by advertisements and subscriptions, and published monthly issues.

In 1917, a faculty board took over the administration of the journal but increased the involvement of student editors by forming a Student Board of Editors in 1920.