Midland Trail Town Pages

Transcription

1 Midland Trail Town Pages Intrinsic Qualities in their Context - Surroundings Midland Trail is Made Up Of Small Towns c T. Paige Dalporto

2 Kenova River town at the western-most point in WV & the juncture of Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers Scenic - Virginia Point Park - Juncture of Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers Natural - Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers Recreational - Virginia Point Park and Dreamland Pool (Nearby: Beech Fork State Park/Beech Fork Lake) Historical - Kenova Historical Commission Museum, The Pumpkin House, Feil and Griffith Pharmacy, and Dreamland Pool Cultural - Kenova Historical Commission Museum 5.2 Kenova Kenova, a small river city founded in 1889, is named for the three states that converge there: Kentucky Ohio, and West Virginia. (WV formed 1863). Beautiful Virginia Point Park is situated at the western-most point of West Virginia and is located at the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. The park s scenic qualities are enhanced by its recreational facilities: soccer fields, softball field, camping hook-ups, and gazebo/shelter. Historic Dreamland Pool, built in 1927, provides additional recreational opportunities. While visitors can no longer enjoy the open-air dance pavilion, orchestras, and entertainers that attracted large crowds in the 1940s, the facility continues to afford a good time with its pool, tennis courts, and basketball courts. The Kenova Historical Museum Commission houses an extensive collection by native companies Pilgrim and Kemple. A large railroad steam engine outside the Museum acknowledges the town s rich railroad history. The 1891 Victorian home located at 748 Beech Street is listed on the National Historic Register and was once visited by President Grover Cleveland. It is also known as the Pumpkin House, because of the over 3000 hand-carved Jack-o- Lanterns which adorn it each Halloween. The inviting gazebo, fountain and town clock at Towne Square Park near City Hall is the scene of concerts and community activities. A newly refurbished 1929-era soda fountain and collection of historic town pictures can be found at Griffith and Feil Pharmacy on Chestnut Street, open since Kenova Mile Marker 0, Population 3485, Elevation 567 feet Virginia Point Park - Juncture of Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers

3 Ceredo Founded in 1857 by northern abolitionist Congressman Eli Thayer to prove a society could work without slavery! Historical - Ceredo Historical Society Museum, Ceredo-Kenova Railroad Museum, Working Coal Tipple (Riverside Synfuel/Ceredo Synfuel, LLC), and Ramsdell House Cultural - Ceredo Historical Society Museum Industrial Heritage - Ceredo-Kenova Railroad Museum and Working Coal Tipple (Riverside Synfuel/Ceredo Synfuel, L.L.C. Kanawha River Terminals) Archaeological - Ceredo Petroglyph 5.3 Ceredo Massachusetts Congressman Eli Thayer founded Ceredo in Thayer traveled through southern states for the sole purpose of choosing land for a new city, one in which he and other abolitionists would live, work, become leaders and join nearby northern states in the fight against slavery. He chose a tract of land in the fertile Ohio River Valley and named the new town Ceredo, after Ceres, Goddess of Grain and Harvest. Ceredo makes important contributions to a primary industry of Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, the coal industry. A working coal tipple operated by Kanawha River Terminal, Inc has annual throughput capacity of nine million tons of coal. Of note is the attractive windscreen, which serves to help blend industry with the important natural scenery of the area. The stately red brick, Ramsdell House (circa 1857), believed to be a part of the Underground Railroad, has been restored by the Ceredo Historical Landmark Commission and is now on the National Historic register. Ramsdell House (circa 1857) believed to have been a part of the Underground Railroad. The Ceredo Museum, home to the Ceredo Historical Society and the Ceredo-Kenova Railroad Museum, features Civil War and railroad memorabilia, the Ceredo Petroglyph (the largest and best preserved in the U.S.), an extensive historical library with census data and a collection of handblown glass dating back over 50 years. The Ceredo Petroglyph Ceredo Mile 3, Population 1675, Elevation 554 feet

4 A pleasant, well-designed city, WV s second largest city, situated on the banks of the Ohio River and home to Marshall University. Scenic - Midland Trail meets the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers near 29th Sreet and then follows the Ohio through, offering riverside parks and vistas Natural - Ohio River and Guyandotte River Recreational - Camden Park, Harris Riverfront Park, Ritter Park and Rose Garden, and Guyandotte Riverfront Park Historical - Camden Park Amusement Park, Museum of Radio Technology, Heritage Farm Museum and Village, Old Central City, Marshall University, and Guyandotte Historical Area Cultural - Museum of Art, Museum of Radio Technology, Heritage Farm Museum and Village, Marshall University, Classic Cars Automotive Museum, Old Central City 14th Street West area, Joan C. and Edwards Performing Arts Center Industrial Heritage - Inco Alloys Plant 5.4 is a beautifully designed city, with its downtown situated on the banks of the Ohio River. It began as the dream of railroad magnate, Collis P. during the industrial revolution, needed a town to serve as a terminus between the East Coast and Midwest rail lines and the city was born. It has continued to thrive because of its advantageous location on the Ohio River. On the south side of town, adults and children enjoy unwinding at the 70-acre Ritter Park with tennis courts, a fabulous playground, jogging trails, and room to play. In late spring, enjoy the park s accredited Rose Garden. Beech Fork State Park and Lake offers another nearby recreational opportunity. Along with scenic views provided by the Ohio River, offers many recreational opportunities. Harris Riverfront Park, an ideal setting for family outings, picnics and walks, also offers festivals, carnivals, and concerts. Mile 10, Population 51,475, Elevation 564 feet

5 A pleasant, well-designed city, WV s second largest city, situated on the banks of the Ohio River and home to Marshall University. Camden Park (1903), West Virginia s only amusement park, is just west of town. The park offers 24 rides, including Kiddieland, old-time wooden roller coasters, and a log flume. History and culture are also important to. The Museum of Radio and Technology is the largest radio museum in the United States and also exhibits hundreds of telegraph items, early televisions, and computers. The Heritage Farm Museum and Village recreates and preserves Appalachian heritage and culture, with its more than 17 restored buildings. Marshall University s beautiful campus lies between 16th and 22nd Streets and Third and Fifth Avenues. More than 150-years old, the University s twelve colleges and schools educate about 16,000 students. Marshall also hosts numerous art exhibits, concerts, lectures, and other cultural events. The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center seats 530 people. Art lovers will appreciate the nationally acclaimed Museum of Art, which features 19th and 20th Century American and European art and artifacts. The complex includes 10 exhibition galleries and sculpture garden. Central City ( ) began as an independent manufacturing town just west of, but was annexed by in Its early industries included Heiner s Bakery, today a leading national bakery. Now known as Old Central City, the 14th Street West antique district, makes both history and Appalachian culture available to the public. Special Metals Corporation offers a glimpse of the city s industrial heritage. Alloys, a division of Inco Alloys, began life as a processing mill for nickel alloys in Throughout the years, research and development became a key component of the facility. The facility can boast that researchers in developed many of the currently manufactured nickel alloy products on the market today. 5.5 Mile 10, Population 51,475, Elevation 564 feet

6 Barboursville One of the Byway s oldest towns, Barboursville is a perfect blend of quaint and suburban. Natural - Guyandotte and Mud Rivers Recreational - Barboursville Community Park and Main Street Park Historical - Toll House and Historical Walking Tour of thirty-plus buildings Barboursville, near the junction of the Guyandotte and Mud Rivers, once was rich hunting grounds for Shawnee Indians. The town was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1813 and served as the county seat until after the Civil War. When Route 60 was built through Barboursville in 1930 it bypassed Main Street and the once busy thoroughfare through town became quiet. Barboursville now offers the perfect blend of old and new, with a quaint historical downtown and the sprawling Mall. The 750-acre Barboursville Community Park (see next page) offers many recreational activities including fishing, golf, hiking, horseshoes, and tennis. The park hosts a July 4th celebration and the West Virginia Soccer Tournament. A new amphitheater will be used for plays and concerts. Like parks in towns across America, Barboursville s Main Street Park, provides a place for townspeople and visitors to relax and socialize. A Historical Walking Tour of over 30 buildings along Main and Central Avenues allows visitors to get a feeling for the old. One building, Toll House (1837) is a log cabin now on Main Street, but originally located near the junction of the Mud and Guyandotte Rivers, the point where a ferryman collected tolls. 5.6 Barboursville Above Right: Toll House (1837) Right: Thornburg House Two of thirty-plus buildings on Historical Walking Tour Nancy Cartmill Park, Barboursville Barboursville Mile 18, Population 3183, Elevation 572 feet

7 Barboursville The Barboursville Community Park offers many recreational activities including fishing, golf, hiking, horseshoes, and tennis. 5.7 Barboursville Part of the goal of the Town Pages section is to show Intrinsic Qualities in their context, or surroundings. While this is sometimes a challenge to convey in pictures, we do want to pause here, pull back the camera and give an idea of the surroundings for the Barboursville Intrinsic Qualities described on the previous page. Barboursville Mile 18, Population 3183, Elevation 572 feet

8 Milton Watch world-famous Blenko Glass being handblown in this historic town. Scenic - Pumpkin Park Historical - Morris Memorial Home, Restored Covered Bridge, and Union Baptist Church Cultural - Blenko Glass and WV Pumpkin Festival 5.8 Milton Milton celebrates American life, past and present. Incorporated in September of 1876, the town became open to traffic from the James River Turnpike with the opening of a covered bridge that same year. The picturesque covered bridge has been reconstructed and now sets the tone at Pumpkin Park, home of the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival and Cabell County Fair. Two historical buildings of note are Union Baptist Church and Morris Memorial and Convalescent and Nursing Home. In 1788 the Union Church was built as a log structure at the present site of the old Union cemetery. Settlers of various faiths were served until 1810 when Reverend John Lee and Reverend John Alderson organized the Union Missionary Baptist Church. In 1847, the congregation purchased a piece of property 600 yards east of the old church. Dedicated in 1849, that sanctuary still serves as a place of worship for local residents. During the Civil War, Union Troops used the facility as a garrison to protect the one lane covered bridge that crossed the Mud River, just below the church. The covered bridge was a vital link in the James River and Kanawha Turnpikes. By war s end, the troops had completely gutted the church. Union Baptist Church was restored by 1867 and regular services resumed. Since that time, it has grown and additions made to meet the needs of the expanding Milton community. Milton is also home of world-famous Blenko Glass. William Blenko, the London-born founder, imported the European mouth blown process to Milton in Blenko Glass allows visitors to watch as skilled craftsmen transform molten glass into its final form using a 1000 year-old tradition of hand blowing. The Blenko Visitor Center offers an observation deck, beautiful museum exhibits of stained glass, and gift shop. Also, see Blenko stained glass windows throughout the sanctuary of Milton Baptist Church and in Washington, DC s National Catherhal Rose Window and other windows around the world. Milton Mile 29, Population 3183, Elevation 572 feet

9 Hurricane The City of Murals. Recreational - Waves of Fun at Valley Park, Skate Park at Hurricane City Park Historical - History Row Caboose Museum, Plantation Corner and Murals Depicting Civil War and Railroading History, Reenactment of the Battle of Scary Creek and the Skirmish of Hurricane Creek Bridge (Hurricane), and Mary Ingles Encampment (Winfield) Archaeological - History Row Native American Petroglyph (Hurricane) Cultural - Quilts by Phyllis (Hurricane), Reenactment of the Battle of Scary Creek and the Skirmish of Hurricane Creek Bridge (Hurricane), Mary Ingles Encampment (Winfield) Industrial Heritage - Caboose Museum (Hurricane) 5.9 Hurricane Named for a Revolutionary War general, Putnam County is proud of its rich history. As one of the fastest growing counties in West Virginia, it is also known as an economically progressive county with much to offer new businesses and new residents. Putnam County has achieved important economic growth through recruitment of the recently build Toyota plant in Buffalo and the cooperative economic development efforts of Advantage Valley. Waves of Fun Water Park in Hurricane s Valley Park and a Skate Park in Hurricane City Park are evidence of recreational activities found in the county as a result of growth. Much of Putnam County s recorded history centers on the town of Hurricane. Its origins were that of a stagecoach stop and livestock market. Subsequent growth occurred as a result of proximity to Collis P. s railroad in the 1880s and construction of Interstate 64 in the 1960s. History Row, in the center of Hurricane, provides a glimpse of the past and includes the Caboose Museum, which offers railroad memorabilia and other historical artifacts. A 77-inch Native American Petroglyph depicting the ancient Water- Monster s Daughter, a prized archaeological find, sits outside the museum. Hurricane Mile 33, Population 5222, Elevation 667 feet

10 Hurricane The City of Murals. Murals depicting the community s rich Civil War and railroading history are found on various downtown buildings. Hurricane s restored homes house private residences and shops, for example, Plantation Corner, which is housed in a Federal Style house built in Cultural and history are alive in other ways. Quilts by Phyllis offers quilting fabrics, services, and classes, which allow this important domestic skill to be passed to a new generation. Individuals can take part in Living History by walking the Mary Ingles Trail near Winfield and by talking to actors portraying colonists from 1757 who tell the story of Mary Ingles capture by Native Americans and her later escape. In March, Valley Park hosts the Civil War Reenactment Weekend. Over 300 reenactors commemorate the Skirmish at Hurricane Bridge and the Battle of Scary Creek with everything from battle maneuvers to a Civil War Ball Hurricane Hurricane Mile 33, Population 5222, Elevation 667 feet

11 St. Albans An well-known archaeological site, downtown dating to 1816, sits on 2000 acres owned by George Washington, Civil War history. Scenic and Natural - Byway follows Kanawha River providing views from pulloffs and roadside parks Recreational - St. Albans Roadside Park (playground, picnic, day use, boat ramp) Historical - Historic Sidewalk Tours, Morgan s Plantation Kitchen, St. Mark s Episcopal Church, Turner-Callihan House, Navigating the Kanawha Through History Archaeological - St. Albans Native American Site Archaic People ( B.C.) Cultural - Pioneer Days Reenactment 5.11 St. Albans St. Albans offers two distinct areas to explore the scenic and archeologically important riverside and the quaint, historical downtown. Route 60 hugs the Kanawha River through St. Albans offering beautiful scenic views, especially at St. Albans Roadside Park, which offers a playground, picnic facilities, and a boat ramp. Just east of Roadside Park is the site of an early Native American settlement, the Archaic People ( B.C.). During an archeological excavation in the late 1960s, it was determined to be one of the first permanent settlements in present-day West Virginia. The early Kanawha River attracted early Native Americans because of the abundance of food it produced. Later, it made important contributions to the culture and history of the area because of its role in the development of transportation and economic growth, most importantly carrying coal and other goods to market. The West Virginia Department of Transportation presents the opportunity to discover river history at Navigating the Kanawha through History, held at St. Albans Roadside Park. Morgan s Plantation Kitchen, also located on the scenic riverfront, is a good example of a detached kitchen typical of the 1840s. Originally part of Morgan s Plantation, near the present John Amos Power Plant, Union soldiers were served meals in the Kitchen during the Battle of Scary Creek, the area s first significant battle of the Civil War. In town, the St. Albans Main Street Historic District dates back to 1816 and is listed on the National Register. Brochures available at City Hall help to guide visitors on the Historic St. Albans Sidewalk tour, featuring 26 properties. The tour begins with St. Marks Episcopal Church (circa 1847), occupied by Federal troops and their horses during the Civil War, and ends with the Turner/Callihan House (circa 1832), a one-and-a-half story Gothic Revival. St. Albans Mile 45, Population 11,567, Elevation 596 feet

12 St. Albans Two distinct areas to explore the scenic and archaeologically important riverside and the quaint, historical downtown. St. Albans Riverside George Washington recognized the value of the riverfront land at present day St. Albans and established a acre tract called Cole River Tract in The Byway runs along the riverside at St. Albans. St. Albans Roadside Park is directly on the Byway and provides visitors picnic and playground facilities and fabulous views of the Great Kanawha River. St. Albans Riverfest brings in sternwheelers, fireworks, and entertainment. MTSHA is partnering with St. Albans to assure continued growth of the new annual Frontier Reenactment. St. Albans Downtown 5.12 St. Albans Morgan s Kitchen (circa 1846): On July 16, 1861, the day before the Battle of Scary Creek, Union troops commanded by General Jacob Cox camped on the nearby Morgan Estate and ate in this kitchen. It was relocated to this site on the Byway and Kanawha River. Ravenswood House (above) and the restored Train station (right) are part of the downtown Historical Tour.

13 Nitro-Institute-Dunbar Loop Approximately 10 mile excursion on the opposite side of the Kanawha River. Scenic - Dunbar Wine Cellar Park Natural -Kanawha River Archaeological - Shawnee Reservation Mound and approximately ten other burial mounds Recreational - Shawnee Park, Wine Cellar Park, Nitro BMX Track and Ridenour Lake Historical - George Washington surveyed and owned land in the area, WV State University, Historic East Hall, Cabell Cemetery, Wine Cellar Park, and nearby Nitro War Museum and Civil War Battle of Scary Creek Cultural - WVSU, a historically black college and Booker T. Washington Institute Across the Kanawha River and intermittently in the direct viewshed of the Midland Trail, Route 25 runs 8 miles between the Nitro-St.Albans Bridge and the Dunbar Bridge. Native Americans who originally inhabited this area on both sides of the Kanawha River (1000 B.C. - A.D. 500) built a large complex of burial mounds. Eleven of the remaining mounds are on the north side of the Kanawha River. In the late 1700s much of the land along Route 25 was surveyed by George Washington and given to leaders in his regiments for their military service. Nitro Created by the U.S. government to produce nitroglycerin for the war effort during WWI Nitro was born when the U.S. government, caught short of gunpowder during World War I, launched a crash project to build a manufacturing plant for the explosive nitroglycerin and homes for the plant workers. Although the war ended just after the first shipment of explosives was sent to the front, the chemical industry continued to grow in the area, providing jobs and good standard of living. Today, many industrial companies and antique dealers are based in Nitro. (continued next page) Getting There: Access Route 25 and the north side of the Kanawha River by crossing the St. Albans-Nitro Bridge; or in South, use the Dunbar Bridge for an interesting trip along the Nitro-Institute-Dunbar Route 25 loop. Rt. 25 Nitro St. Albans Bridge St. Albans Nitro Rt. 25 St.Albans-Nitro Bridge spans the Great Kanawha River giving access to an interesting side trip on Route 25. West Virginia State College I-64 Institute Kanaw ha River MacCorkle Ave. Rt. 60 Midland Trail Dunbar Shawnee Park Dunbar Dunbar Bridge South 5.13 Nitro-Institute-Dunbar Loop Roxalana Rd. Rt. 25 Population? Nitro 6824, Dunbar 8154, Institute

14 Institute Home of WV State University, a historically black college on the Great Kanawha River, with a rich unique history - a living laboratory of human relations. Originally the rich river valley of Institute was home to Samuel Cabell and known as the Cabell Plantation. Unprecedented at the time, Cabell willed the plantation to his slave mistress, Mary Barnes. Upon Cabell s death in 1865, Mary Barnes and their thirteen children inherited the plantation. When the state of West Virginia was looking for land to build a land-grant instituion for African- Americans in 1890, one of Cabell s daughters, Marina, agreed to sell thiry- acres of the land to the state. West Virginia Colored Institute, later West Virginia State College, opened on the site for an "experimental term" in The first two students to enroll, Lottie Brown and Flayvilla Brown, were Cabell descendants. Graves of plantation owner Samuel Cabell and his slave mistress, Mary Barnes, are on the WVSU campus. In 2004, WV State College gained University status and now serves a diverse student population of 5000, while preserving its landgrant heritage with research and community outreach projects. The graves of Samuel Cabell, his slave mistress, and others are found on what is now the campus of West Virginia State University. East Hall, built in 1893, has served as a dormitory, library, chemistry laboratory, printing department, President s home, and most recently the College s Office of Planning and Advancement. Named to the National Register of Historic Places, distinguished visitors to the home include Booker T. Washington, Dr. George Washington Carver, Dr. W. E. B. Dubois, Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Eleanor Roosevelt. The University s Drain-Jordan Library has a collection of African-American artifacts relative to local history. The University s Booker T. Washington Institute preserves and promotes the rich legacy of the famous educator who once made his home in the area. West Virginia State University Nitro / Dunbar Nitro-Dunbar -Institute Loop Population: Nitro 6824, Dunbar 8154 West Virginia State University Historic East Hall, circa 1893, is on National Register of Historic Places 5.14 Nitro-Institute-Dunbar Loop

15 5.15 Shawnee Park Recreation and archaeology Shawnee Park, operated by Kanawha County Parks and Recreation, serves the community with its boat ramp, golf course, swimming pool, picnic facilities, playground, and tennis and basketball courts. The Shawnee Reservation Mound mentioned under archaeology is located here. Dunbar George Washington was the first landholder of this town steeped in history. Dunbar, like most of the area, is on land originally occupied by the Native Americans known as Mound Builders. Archaeologists have identified eleven remaining mounds in the residental areas of Dunbar. (See Archaeological Qualities). Three large, restored, stone walk-in wine cellars still stand. They date pre-civil War and were used to store wine made on the premises from grapes grown in the vineyards there. The park is enjoyable for picnics, family gatherings, and fishing at its well-stocked seven-acre lake. Ancient Burial Mound in Shawnee Park Nitro-Institute-Dunbar Loop First surveyed in 1774, the land was granted to George Washington for his military service. It is believed the town is named for Mary Dunbar, who inherited the land from her ancestor, Washington. Dunbar Pocket Park In 1912, the farming community began to evolve into an industrial community with the opening of glass and bottling plants. The Gravely Plow, invented and patented in Dunbar in 1916, was produced here until the plant s move to Ohio. Dunbar boasts several parks, including Wine Cellar Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nitro / Dunbar Nitro-Dunbar -Institute Loop Population: Nitro 6824, Dunbar 8154 Dunbar Wine Cellars

16 South The Chemical Capital of the World. Scenic and Natural Little Creek Park and Kanawha River Recreational - Rock Lake Putt-Putt Golf and Games, Little Creek Park, South Memorial Ice Arena, and South Community Center Historical - South Museum Archaeological - Adena Indian Mound Cultural - Rock Lake Pool and South Museum Industrial Heritage - Dow Chemical The South Adena Mound, the second largest Native American burial mound in the state, is situated directly on the Midland Trail Byway and provides the centerpiece for downtown South. The Adena culture existed 1000 B.C. to 500 A.D. The Adena tended to be less transient and established villages and gardens. The Smithsonian Institute excavated the South mound in 1883 and Archaeologists found skeletons, jewelry, and weapons, all of which are today maintained at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. (See Archaelogical Quality for more info). South is a unique blend of past and present, urban and rural a diverse and friendly town.although South is an active city of commerce and industry, its residents and visitors enjoy nature and recreation in a variety of settings. Little Creek Park is comprised of over 300 acres of scenic, hilly woodlands. Its Trace Fork Canyon Trail is an island of wilderness in an urban setting. Birders can identify eight species of wood warblers. In winter, kinglets, pine siskin, and other winter birds find shelter in the hemlocks. The trail boasts 240 species of plants, five species of salamanders, two species of toads, and numerous mammals. Little Creek Park also has West Virginia s only lighted Soap Box Derby Track, which hosts several races and events Spring through autumn. Rock Lake Putt-Putt Golf and Games offers fun for the young and young at heart with three 18-hole courses, gocart racings, arcade games, and Laser Storm on the site of the former Rock Lake Pool, which was converted from a rock quarry in the 1930s. South Mile 55 Population 13,390 Elevation 599 feet 5.16 South

17 South The South Memorial Ice Arena, a newly opened state-of-the-art facility, has an arcade, heated seating area for 500, an official size rink for both hockey team play and figure skating clubs, plus public skating. One of the largest city-owned recreational facilities, the South Community Center, houses a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, two racquetball courts, basketball courts, tanning beds, and a health club. The gym has seating for 1500 and is open daily. While serving the present, South also values the past. The South Museum is housed in the historic Art-Deco style, LaBelle Theatre. The museum actively seeks new acquisitions relating to the history of the South and the Kanawha Valley. It currently holds collections of photographs and written material, chemical and industrial histories, and Native American artifacts. The city s ability to provide these opportunities is possible because of its long relationship with the chemical industry. South was once known as the chemical capitol of the world. Union Carbide Corporations/West Virginia Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company since 200l, has two operations in South : the South manufacturing site and the South Technology Park. dedicated in 1949 and currently with the 651-acre South Technology Park, a campus-like setting home to more than 381 labs, as well as chemical pilot plants, a computer operations center, and an engineering center. The newly restored LaBelle Theater will adjoin the planned South Mound Midland Trail Interpretative Center, scheduled to open in 2006 and funded by the U.S. Federal Transportation Administration s Transportation Enhancement Program through WV Division of Highways South The South manufacturing site produces approximately 400 million pounds of different chemicals and plastics for a variety of product applications. It has made historic contributions to the chemical industry as well, first with the South Technical Center, South Mile 55, Population 13,390, Elevation 599 feet

18 , one of America s most beautiful capital cities, is easily recognized by its gold domed WV Capitol Complex, standing like a temple of democracy on the banks of the Great Kanawha River. The Midland Trail follows the Great Kanawha through, with the MT National Scenic Byway joining the State Scenic Byway at the front steps of the State Capitol. Scenic and Natural - Views of Kanawha River, Elk River, and mountains Recreational - Power BallPark, Daniel Boone Park, Cato Park, Haddad Riverfront Park, and Magic Island Nearby: Coonskin Park Historical - WV State Capitol Complex and Holly Grove Mansion, East End Historical District, Craik-Patton House, Ruffner Log Cabin, downtown buildings, Historic Shrewsbury Street with significant African-American historical sites, and Spring Hill Cemetery Cultural - Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences WV, WV Cultural Center, Vandalia Gathering, Mountain Stage, Craik-Patton House, Ruffner Log Cabin, and University of s Erma Byrd Gallery 5.18 Routing In, the Midland Trail Byway follows the Great Kanawha River from Daniel Boone Park along Kanawha Boulevard, in front of the Capitol Complex, through downtown, and the west side. At Pennsylvania Avenue, the Byway crosses the juncture of the Elk River and the Kanawha River. The Byway continues to follow the Kanawha as it crosses the river at Patrick Street and turns west towards South and and St. Albans. Access the Historic Loop from Kanawha Boulevard (pages ). The Byway is quickly accessed from I-64, I-77, and I-79. Mile 61, Population 53,421, Elevation 601 feet View Thanks to Southwings Aviation

19 s Riverfront, began as Fort Lee in with thirteen houses and a fort, and became West Virginia s largest city, its state capital, and a capital for arts, industry, shopping, and entertainment. The mountains close around the Kanawha River in the Kanawha Valley, making for postcard-like scenery at the West Virginia State Capitol and along the Kanawha River. The Byway follows the river through town. The University of stands on the opposite bank of the Kanawha across from the Capitol, adding to the view. In 2004, UC opened the Erma Byrd Gallery, the first art gallery dedicated to WV s Women Artists. The WV Symphony gives an outdoor concert on the grounds each year. The Kanawha River also provides recreational opportunities. The City of maintains two city parks along the Byway. Haddad Riverfront Park is located along the river in downtown. The renovated levee has docking available, as well as a 2500-seat amphitheater. Nearby, at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers, is Magic Island. Magic Island s walking track, sand volleyball courts, and large grassy areas are a quick walk from the downtown area. s Historical East End Also on the MT Byway, at Greenbrier Street and Kanawha Boulevard and adjacent to the Governor s Mansion, stands Holly Grove Mansion, one of only three remaining structures from the Ruffner salt family. Daniel Ruffner constructed Holly Grove Mansion in 1815 on what was then a plantation just east of. Holly Grove is now maintained as part of the State Capitol Complex. The East End Historical District includes Kanawha Boulevard, Virginia Street, and Quarrier Street. Many of these homes remain private residences. Most were built between 1895 and Many styles of architecture can be seen: Greek Revival, late Victorian, Queen Anne, Richardson Romanesque, Colonial, Georgian, Spanish Colonial, Italianate, and Renaissance s Spring Hill Cemetery, established in 1870, overlooks the city and the Byway. It bears the remains of many of s founding fathers, several governors, and other notables. Today, it has over 80,000 lots. Mile 61, Population 53,421, Elevation 601 feet

20 s Capitol Complex Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the Union, the West Virginia State Capitol greets the visitor with a grand, resplendent gold dome. The majestic Italianate Rotunda contains marble from Vermont, Tennessee, and Italy; and a two-ton chandelier crafted with Czechoslovakian crystal. Eminent master architect, Cass Gilbert, designed this stone and marble wonder, as well as Washington, DC s Treasury and Supreme Court Buildings. Completed in 1932, the Capitol holds the state Legislative bodies in separate wings, the Supreme Court, and the Governor s Office. Other state offices are in the adjacent buildings of the complex. The West Virginia Cultural Center, opened in 1976, houses the State Museum and State Archives. Located on the grounds of the Capitol Complex, it also hosts fairs, festivals and exhibits. The Vandalia Gathering, held each Memorial Day Weekend, is a three-day festival celebrating traditional arts and folk heritage. Multifest is another three-day festival held in early August to celebrate the music, food, and culture of the many ethnic groups found in West Virginia. The Cultural Center is home to West Virginia Public Broadcasting s Mountain Stage, a two-hour live radio show featuring stylistically diverse national and international acts. Most shows are taped before a live audience in the Cultural Center Theater and then broadcast around the world Mile 61, Population 53,421, Elevation 601 feet

21 Historical Loop 5.21 Historical Loop

22 Historical Loop Adventures abound on the Historic Loop of the Midland Trail. The fifteen-block Loop leads visitors from Kanawha Boulevard to Capitol Street, Smith Street, Leon Sullivan Way, and through the revitalized downtown to enjoy a blend of historic sites and exciting new tourist-oriented attractions. New shops in renovated storefronts, the new $120 million Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences WV, a new riverfront park, Capitol Market, and the new $23 million, Appalachian Power Baseball Park provide the anchors to assure a thriving downtown Village District. Capitol Street was so named when the State Capitol building stood at the corner of Capitol and Lee Streets from 1885 until it was destroyed by fire in Capitol Street was the first street in America paved with bricks (1870). Over the summer of 2004 Mayor Danny Jones had the bricks and plantings redone throughout downtown. It was almost two decades in the making, but downtown has become a tourist destination. From one end to the other Capitol Street has a new look. Building facades have been redone and new tourist-friendly retail shops dot Capitol Street. Streets such as Summers and Smith, seedy areas just a few short years ago, have been revitalized; today Summers Street features a park and office district, while Smith Street is one of the best places in to shop for home furnishings and carpeting, plus Capitol Market s fresh vegetables, plants, and specialty items. Midland Trail Scenic Highway recently moved their offices into a restored building on Capitol Street. The lively Capitol Market stands at the north end of Capitol Street in the former Kanawha and Michigan Railway Depot. Renovated and updated in 1997, the market presents visitors with the last visible remnant of what was once an active rail yard Historical Loop

23 Historical Loop Flowering plants of every color and seasonal fruits and vegetables fill the outside stalls of the Market every day of the year. Local growers offer tips on harvesting your own fruits and vegetables. Inside the market are shops that offer a vast array of fresh seafood, meats, chicken, fine wine and beer, plus an upscale fine food restaurant, SoHo s, which offers weekend jazz. In 2003, the long awaited, must see Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences WV opened on Leon Sullivan Way. The 240,000-square foot Center, one of the most ambitious cultural and educational projects in West Virginia history, combines a home for the Juliet Museum of Art, Symphony s performing arts center, Walker Theater, and Avampato Discovery Museum, an interactive science museum completed with the Electric Sky Theater planetarium and I-Max. Play Ball! Opening Day at s new Appalachian Power Baseball Park was April 14, The 4200-plus seat stadium stands along Smith Street between Morris Street and the I-64/77 Brooks Street entrance ramp Historical Loop

24 Historical Loop Historic Shrewsbury Street Central is the city s historically African- American neighborhood. The Shrewsbury, Donnelly and Lewis Street area was home to several distinguished African-Americans, including internationally renowned Reverend Leon Sullivan whose Sullivan s Principles of Equal Opportunity became the blueprint for ending Apartheid. Simpson Memorial Methodist Church (circa 1915) continues to be a focal point of the community, as they spearhead the restoration of Harden House for use by community groups and an African-American cultural museum. The home of first black state librarian in the United States, Sam Starks, is located at 413 Shrewsbury Street. Garnet High School, an African-American high school ( ), was known for its quality programs and curriculum. The Mattie V. Lee Home, named in honor of WV s first black female physician, was important in the early 20th Century for promoting the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and vocational development of young African- American women Historical Loop

25 Daniel Boone Park Daniel Boone Park, just east of the Capitol Complex, has a public access boat launch, picnic facilities, and fishing available. Daniel Boone lived in the Valley from 1786 to 1797, during which time he served in the Kanawha County Militia and as a Richmond Assembly delegate. Boone took shelter in a cave on the facing mountain and housed his family in a double log cabin directly across the Kanawha River. At the entrance of Daniel Boone Park stands Craik- Patton House. James Craik, whose grandfather was George Washington s friend and personal physician, built Craik-Patton House, at Daniel Boone Park, in Colonel George Patton, grandfather of the famous WWII general, later owned it. A replica of the early home of an earlier Ruffner, salt-maker David Ruffner, is also located on the property Daniel Boone Park Daniel Boone Park Mile 63

26 Malden / Belle Malden - An idealic village bringing alive history -home of Booker T. Washington, world famous quilts, and salt-making history. Scenic and Natural - Views of Kanawha River and Mountains Historical - Malden: African Zion Baptist Church, Malden Salt Village, Booker T. Washington s Cabin, John Hale House, Norton-Patton House, Richard E. Putney House, Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church, and Ruffner Cemetery Cultural - Malden Historic District and Cabin Creek Quilts Industrial Heritage - Malden: Port Amherst, railroad yards, Malden Salt Village and Dickinson s Salt Works Malden Historic Village is taking strides to assure its history is preserved and celebrated as the boyhood home of Booker T. Washington, the birthplace of the area s salt-making history, and headquarters for the world-renowned Cabin Creek Quilt Cooperative. Follow the brown Midland Trail Travel Info signs to Cabin Creek Quilts Cooperative, housed in Hale House, the taupe and purple trim Federal-style, (circa 1838) home. 19th-Century historian and Renaissance man, Dr. John Hale, who was also the great-grandson of Mary Ingles, built Hale House. Ingles, mother of the first Caucasian child born west of the Alleghenies, is immortalized in the pages of Follow The River. She used the Ohio, Kanawha, and New Rivers to retrace her way home after being captured by Shawnee Indians on Sunday, July 8, 1755, from her home near presentday Blacksburg, Virginia. Inside Cabin Creek Quilts are beautiful handmade quilts and quilted items for sale, plus the opportunity to meet the ladies who make the quilts, get travel info, and learn about life in the mountains of West Virginia. Nearby, Malden Antiques specializes in railroad and other historical memorabilia. Local resident, Senator Larry L. Rowe, has developed a brochure Walking Tour of Old Malden Virginia and West Virginia. His Website also offers a review of Malden history and points of interest. Booker T. Washington Institute At age nine, as a recently freed slave, Booker T. Washington walked to Malden with his mother from the Burroughs Plantation in Virginia. In Up From Slavery, Washington recounts his days in Malden, first as a boy who was encouraged by Viola Ruffner to learn to read and then after college graduation when he lived here and Malden / Belle Mile 65, Belle Mile Malden / Belle

27 Malden / Belle traveled the new state of West Virginia to advocate moving the capital from Wheeling to. Visit the replica of Booker T. Washington s Boyhood Cabin. Next door is the African Zion Baptist Church (1872), West Virginia s oldest Afro- American Baptist Church, where Washington taught Sunday School. At Norton House (circa 1840) a multi-panel mural in the back dining room depicts the house s history. Tours and reenactments can be arranged by calling The Booker T. Washington Institute of West Virginia State University. Salt-Making History History, culture, and industry blend in Malden, Belle, and Cedar Grove. Long ago, buffalo beat a path through undisturbed forests to the basins of salt brine along the Kanawha River. Native Americans followed, learning to use hot rocks to extract salt. Pioneers were next attracted to the area. The first recorded history of salt-making in the area was made In 1671 by Captain Thomas Batts (see Gauley Bridge). He reported Native Americans were using hot rocks to extract salt in present day Malden. Mary Ingles reported that her Shawnee captors taught her to extract salt here in Pioneers followed the buffalo path, which by 1790, at the urging of George Washington, became a state road from Virginia to Cedar Grove, and is today the Midland Trail. In 1797, with a collection of 24 kettles for salt production from the area s brines, Elisha Brooks started the Kanawha Valley s first industry near Malden. By 1817, Malden was the world s largest salt producer and site of the country s first industrial trust. Malden s red salt with its iron content was a prized commodity to pioneers for preserving meat. Salt manufacturing requires fuel and the rich forests along the Kanawha River were cleared to provide wood fuel for the early salt furnaces. In 1817, David Ruffner became the first producer to successfully convert to coal fuel. Gas was struck in In 1841, William Tompkins of Cedar Grove became the first in the U.S. to use this gas for an industrial purpose, salt-making. Two years later, salt-makers Dickinson and Shrewsbury hit the great gas reserve of the region. The resource that attracted buffalo, made Malden the world s largest salt producer, enriched the Valley s early industrialists, and ultimately spawned the surrounding chemical industries. The era of salt making peaked between at 3.2 million bushels. Other industrries began to grow as a result of this first industry. World War I made it necessary for America to locate new supplies of chlorine and alkalis. All of the essential ingredients were here; an ample supply of high quality coal, salt brine, natural gas, oil, ample skilled labor, and transportation. Scientists, inventors, capitalists and government were inspired. Malden / Belle Mile 65, Belle Mile Malden / Belle

28 Eastern Kanawha County Towns and Villages: Shrewsbury, Quincy, Cedar Grove, and Glasgow Scenic - Views of Kanawha River and Kanawha Valley at several pull-offs Natural - Kanawha River (Route 60 follows the river for 50-plus miles) Recreational - Glasgow: Glasgow City Park/Roadside Park and Boat Launch London: London Public Park Historical - Cedar Grove: Virginia s Chapel and William Tompkins House Archaeological - Cemeteries - Cedar Grove: Virginia s Chapel Cultural - Industrial Heritage - Cannelton: coal tipple and storage Route 60 continues to follow the scenic Kanawha River Valley through the small communities of eastern Kanawha County. Glasgow, a small residential community of nearly 1000, is primarily situated on the Midland Trail. It offers residents and visitors a city park and pool for summer recreation, as well as a boat dock and launch for river activities, fishing, boating, and water. Similarly, the community of London has a pleasant public park. Other towns, such as Cedar Grove are of historical significance. The oldest settled community in the Kanawha Valley, Cedar Grove played a significant role in the development of the Midland Trail. The town s first resident, Walter Kelly, settled here in 1773, but sent his family to for protection against Native raids; the Natives killed Kelly after his family departed. The next year, William Morris built Fort Morris, the Valley s first settlement. As the Trail evolved, Cedar Grove became a terminus for land travel and a beginning point for water traffic. Morris descendants amassed a fortune building flatboats for westwardmoving pioneers and from Malden s salt trade downriver. The Boat Yards, as the town was first known, also constructed the dugouts for Lewis and Clark s historic expedition. Famous resident William Tompkins was the first man in America to use natural gas for industrial purposes, but is best known for his two brick beauties. On the Trail is Virginia s Chapel, the Little Brick Church which be built in 1853 as a graduation gift for his daughter. A small graveyard is also located on the property. The chapel is on the National Registry of Historic Places. At the mouth of Kelly s Creek is Tompkins palatial brick house, built in The working coal tipple and storage facility located at Cannelton is evidence of the area s industrial heritage. Eastern Kanawha County Mile Eastern Kanawha County

29 Montgomery and Smithers A heritage of immigrants, education and industry. Scenic and Natural - Kanawha River Recreational - boat ramps and fishing Historical - WV University Institute of Technology Archaeological - Mt. Carbon Ancient Works Cultural - Italian heritage and coal mining Montgomery For his service in the Virginia Militia, Major Henry Montgomery received land grants on the Kanawha River and operated a ferry port. Montgomery s Landing attracted river traffic which moved as far west as Cincinnati and New Orleans. Centuries before, the area thrived with a prehistoric culture that built the Mt. Carbon Ancient Works, a stone wall enclosing an area about a mile in width. Scientific dating places this archaeological feature at around the 15th Century. Strip mining ultimately removed all traces of the Works. Montgomery is home to West Virginia University Institute of Technology, which offers education, engineering, print management, and health professions. The public is welcome to participate in the school s Wellness Program and use their olympicsize pool and rock-wall climbing facility. The Bank Bar and Grill, offers a unique dining experience in a restored bank building. Boaters can launch their boats from the public boat ramp located near the bridge. Montgomery became the commerical center for the surrounding coal mining and ferro-alloy industries; a boom town with a hospital, department stores, and the college. Smithers Smithers history is closely intertwined with the Midland Trail. Around 1825, the James River and Kanawha Turnpike (now the Midland Trail) was completed through Smithers west to. Early settlers include James Smithers, for whom the town is named. His descendant Benjamin Smithers, born in 1809, was brought into the salt and coal businesses through marriage, first to Julia Ruffner and later to Eliza Shrewsbury. Smithers owned 2270 acres of coal-rich land around Smithers under the name of Peabody Coal Fields. Another early settler, Aaron Stockton, brother-in-law of William Tompkins, founded the Glen Ferris Inn. The influence of Italian immgrants who settled in the area to work the coal industry is evident today in the town of about 900. Italian food specialities are found at Cavalier Market and Lopez Resturant. Of special interest is the recently unveiled Veterans War Memorial, which honors over 800 men and women who entered military service while living in Smithers or Longacre. Montgomery / Smithers Mile 88, Population 1942 / Smithers Mile 89, Population 904, Elevation 640 feet 5.29 Montgomery and Smithers

30 Alloy A proud tradiltion on the Midland Trail. For almost 100 years, travelers along the Midland Trail have caught an occasional glimpse of furnace flames blazing from behind the factory walls, as Elkem Metals Company and its predecessors have maintained a proud tradition as a large manufacturer of quality products. Materials produced at the Alloy facility are intermediaries for products that improve the ways we eat, feel, look, and work. When consumers open a cereal box, use personal grooming products, or turn on a personal computer, chances are they are using a product which Elkem helped make. In fact, half of the world s computers contain chips with silicon refined at Elkem. Their silicon is also the crucial ingredient for the glue, which binds the space shuttle s panels to its body. Production of ferroalloys on the Midland Trail began in 1901, about 5 miles east of the present facility at Alloy, when Wilson Aluminum established a smelting plant at Kanawha Falls. Wilson simultaneously received permission from the U.S. War Department to tap the river s force for hydroelectricity to power its operation. Today, you can see the power station at Kanawha Falls, which still provides some of the energy for Elkem s operations at Alloy. Union Carbide later purchased the operation. To meet an everexpanding market, Union Carbide built the present facility at Alloy. Carbide s long history ended in 1981, when Elkem, a multinational corporation based in Oslo, Norway purchased the Alloy plant and associated properties. During its 65-year history, Elkem-Alloy has become the world s largest silicon metal plant and operates the largest silicon furnace in the world. In past years, the facility has produced manganese, chrome, and other alloys. Today, Elkem is a major supplier of high-quality refined silicon for the chemical, electronic, aerospace, and aluminum industries. As one of Fayette County s largest employers, Elkem has many employees sroking the same furnaces as their fathers and grandfathers Alloy Alloy Mile 92

31 Western Fayette County Fayette County begins the heart of the Trail s scenic and recreational areas. Numerous roadside waterfalls and breathtaking rock formations dot the north side of the Byway, while the Great Kanawha hugs the south side. Scenic and Natural - Several roadside falls between Montgomery and Falls View and Great Kanawha River created at Gauley Bridge, unique rock formations line the mountains Cultural Boomer/Alloy: Coal camp town and Elkem s hydroelectric dam The Great Kanawha River provides a pleasant backdrop for travel as it hugs Route 60 from its headwaters in Gauley Bridge, to below and St. Albans, where it turns and heads for the Ohio River at Point Pleasant. A series of locks and dams assure its flow. Huge barges carrying coal and other industrial products routinely pass. As evident in the history of each town along its banks, the Kanawha River has played a key role in the development of industry along what is now known as Advantage Valley. Although it is one of the nation s busiest commercial waterways, there are also ample opportunities for public access for recreational use. Many homes in the six miles between Alloy and Kanawha Falls, for example the towns of Boomer, Charlton Heights and Falls View were built for employees and management of Alloy/Elkem. Sticks and Stones at mile 32.5 is a wonderland of speciality garden and decorative items. Fayette County begins the heart of the Trail s scenic and recreational areas. Numerous roadside falls dot the highway, including Kanawha Falls at mile 97 and Cathedral Falls at mile 99. The New and Gauley Rivers merge at Gauley Bridge to create the Kanawha River, which flows to the State Capitol and eventually into the Ohio River. Western Fayette County 5.31 Western Fayette County

32 Glen Ferris and Kanawha Falls Hospitality and history amidst natural beauty. Scenic - Glenn Ferris: Kanawha Falls, Gauley Bridge: Cathedral Falls Natural - Kanawha Falls, Gauley Bridge: Union of New and Gauley Rivers, Cathedral Falls Recreational - Gauley Bridge: New River Campground and Gauley Bridge Tepees Historical - Glen Ferris: Glen Ferris Inn Since Aaron Stockton first opened his doors to weary, hungry stagecoach travelers in 1839, the Glen Ferris Inn has provided hospitality for visitors on the historic Midland Trail. Today, owners Dan and Becky Hill, as well as manager Natalie Phillips, carry on Stockton s tradition in fine style. The Glen Ferris Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Aaron Stockton was the grandson of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a salt entrepreneur and gentleman farmer who built flatboats that carried those traveling west on the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers and beyond. Stockton shipped the first commercial load of West Virginia coal from a seam of cannel coal that was discovered on his farm in His inn served as a Union quartermaster s depot during the Civil War, and his grandson, O. A. Veasey, who was born at Glen Ferris Inn during 1851, was West Virginia s first state mine inspector. Overlooking Kanawha Falls, the original red brick structure was constructed circa In about 1910, Stockton s granddaughter added the charming columns, a third-story, and verandas. Union Carbide later extended the inn s guest capacity after constructing an ell in the early 1930s Glen Ferris and Kanawha Falls Glen Ferris Mile 97

33 Gauley Bridge Marriage-place of two rivers. Scenic - New and Gauley Rivers merge to create the Great Kanawha River Natural - Kanawha Falls, Union of New and Gauley Rivers, and Cathedral Falls Recreational - New River Campground and Gauley Bridge Tepees Historical - Gauley Bridge Historical Society Museum At Gauley Bridge, the New and Gauley Rivers merge to create the Kanawha River, which flows to the State Capitol and eventually into the Ohio River. As eastbound visitors round the bend at Glen Ferris (Mile 37) they get their first view of the merged rivers. At this marriage-place of two rivers, learn about the junctions of past and present at the Gauley Bridge Visitors Center and adjoining Gauley Bridge Historical Society Museum. Kanawha Falls Post Office, Fayette County s first, has also been relocated to the complex. Gauley Bridge was first explored in 1671, when Captain Thomas Batts discovered and claimed the area east of Kanawha Falls for King Charles II of England and Ireland. Although their expedition stopped at Kanawha Falls, they learned through their Native American guide that Native Americans were making salt at present day Malden. Gauley Bridge s position at the confluence of the rivers made it a strategic location during the Civil War. Gauley Bridge takes its name from a tollbridge which crossed the Gauley River and which Confederate troops burned; today you can see its old mossy piers. When the iron horse roared across the state s landscape, Gauley Bridge was a railroad stop for the old New York Central Railroad. Gauley Bridge Town Hall ( ) is housed in the renovated railroad passenger depot. Inside hangs a print of Corporal J. N. Roesler s 1862 depiction of the Camp Gauley Civil War Encampment. Step back in time with a visit to a downtown diner, housed in the former Greyhound Bus Terminal. Evan Scent manufactures candles at their facility on the Trail and also operates a gift shop and the Gauley Bridge Visitors Center Gauley Bridge Gauley Bridge Mile 99, Population 738, Elevation 680 feet

34 Gauley Mountain Climb 1000 feet in elevation in eight miles of curvy mountain road with breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Canyon and heart-stopping twists and turns. Scenic views of the natural elements of the New River and its canyon, reveal why this is known as the Grand Canyon of the East. The driving fun begins as travelers climb the Gauley Mountain between Gauley Bridge and Ansted. Can you really see your taillights in the rear view mirror as the car bends around the twisty turns near Chimney Corner? Or is it just another mountaineer tale? These curvy roads challenge and delight the best of car enthusiasts. Recently Car and Driver Magazine sent seven high-end sports cars along the Trail for a performance comparison. As you maneuver the twists and turns, enjoy the picturesque views on the western slope of Gauley Mountain. Fetty s Country Store & Crafts in the log cabin at the Y at Chimney Corner offers a rest stop, plus a variety of mountain crafts and souvenirs. Take a moment to Be Shocked and Amazed at the Trail s renowned tourist trap oops, we meant to say roadside attraction The Mystery Hole. Landmarked by a Volkswagen protruding from a quonset hut, The Mystery Hole allegedly sits over a hole in the ground where the law of gravity does not apply. Balls roll up hill. Chairs sit half-way up a wall. Money vanishes from your pocket in the the gift shop. Kids and adults alike are awed Gauley Mountain Gauley Mountain

35 Ansted and Hawks Nest A town with a hawk s view. The Town of Ansted, located at the top of Gauley Mountain, is the western edge of the outdoor region of the Trail and is a center from which to enjoy West Virginia s natural beauty. Hawks Nest State Park, which is inside the town limits, sprawls over the top of the mountain and down to the base of the New River Gorge. East bound travelers first see the newly spruced-up Hawks Nest Golf Course on the north (left) side of the road, then the Hawks Nest Picnic Area and Overlook, which offers wonderful walks and a breathtaking overlook of the Grand Canyon of the East, the New River Gorge. Nearby, enjoy an incredible view of the Gorge while dining on great home cooked food in the Hawks Nest Lodge s glass dining room, or inch down the Gorge on the tram for a picnic and jet boats at the base. Rich coal seams originally led settlers to the hilltop town of Ansted in the 1790s. Today, travelers seek the opportunity to enjoy the rich-flavored Blue Smoke Salsa and the chance to explore the Grand Canyon of the East, the New River Gorge. When we say Head For the Hills on the Midland Trail, Ansted is the town that pops to mind. Perched in a fold atop Gauley Mountain and hugging the rim of the New River Gorge, Ansted is building on its unique geography to transition from a coal to an environmental and tourism based economy. When chartered in 1891, the town was named for British geologist, David T. Ansted, who mapped out the seams of the area s high-grade coal. On a knoll in the middle of town, the Victorian-style mansion of industrialist William Nelson Page stands as evidence of the once thriving coal business. Built from native wood in the 1890s by the Gauley Mountain Coal Company, the mansion was a perk for Page. At the western edge of Ansted is Hawks Nest State Park, with spectacular canyon views, a tramway to the bottom of the New River Gorge, a lodge, restaurant, gift shop, and facilities for swimming, hiking, tennis, golf, and jet boats. The famous Hawks Nest Overlook is just west of the lodge complex. Take time to enjoy the recently created 2.5 mile Ansted-Hawks Nest Rail Trail that retraces the rail path used to convey coal from the mines around the Town of Ansted Mile 107, Population Ansted and Hawks Nest

36 Ansted and Hawks Nest Ansted to larger tracks at the bottom of the New River Gorge. The trail is unique in that hikers and bikers can access the bottom by using the Gorge Tram from Hawks Nest Lodge. Bike racks are being installed on the gondola to encourage round trips. Along the way, visitors see the entrance to Mill Creek Colliery Mine, rebuilt bridges, and beautiful unspoiled foliage, cliffs and streams. Robin Hilderbrand, nationally-recognized Entrepreneur of the Year, operates Blue Smoke Salsa s manufacturing facility in downtown Ansted. There s ample space to accommodate visitors by tour bus who want to enjoy the homegrown salsa that is becoming a nationwide favorite. Historical landmarks include the grave site of Julia Neale Jackson, mother of Thomas Stonewall Jackson; Halfway House, a former tavern on the Kanawha Turnpike and headquarters of the Chicago Dragoons during the Civil War; the African American Heritage Family-Tree Museum which helps Afro- Americans trace their roots and Contentment Historical Complex, an 1830 home that houses a museum and headquarters for the Fayette County Historical Society. The grounds of Hawks Nest Park are filled with food, artisans and entertainment during Country Roads Festival on the third week in September. During the Holidays don t miss the Festival of Lights at Hawks Nest Park. Nearby, the Fayetteville Theater offers wellproduced plays, including an annual holiday play the first few weekends of December. Ansted Mile 107, Population Ansted and Hawks Nest

37 Hico - Crossroads of U.S. 60 & Gateway U.S. 19 The center of West Virginia s world-renown recreational activities. opportunities. Just north of the 900-foot high Gorge Bridge is the Canyon Rim Visitors Center. The hip town of Fayetteville is the outdoors sevices and gear capital of West Virginia. Downtown shops offer recreational gear, book shops, natural food restaurants, and works by local artisans Hico At Hico, U.S. Route 19 intersects U.S. Route 60. The heavily traveled U.S. 19 provides an important gateway to the Midland Trail as it links I-79 and I- 77 South to the recreational offerings of the New River Gorge National River and the town of Fayetteville. Cross the world s longest arch span bridge to reach Oak Hill, Mt. Hope and Beckley. North,Summersville Dam and Lake provides fishing, camping, hunting, and the best Class VI rafting east of One of the oldest rivers in the world and one of the few on earth that flows north, the New River offers visitors spectacular vistas and recreational Hico Mile 114

38 Eastern Fayette County Babcock State Park, Winona, Camp Washington Carver, and Sewell Mountain Scenic and Natural Clifftop: Babcock Recreational - Hico: whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping Clifftop: Babcock State Park, Fishing, Climbing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking, and biking Historical Fayetteville: Lee s Tavern-peak of Sewell Mountain and Morris Harvey House Lookout: Lookout Baptist Church and Camp George Washington Carver Winona: Garvey House Archaeological Cemeteries Cultural Fayetteville: Court Street Gallery Clifftop: Camp Washington Carver and WV String Band Festival East of Hico, the Midland Trail curves through some of the most beautiful scenery in our country as it crosses the highest point on the Trail Big Sewell Mountain at 3170 feet Eastern Fayette At Lookout, look out for the turn off for Winona for an adventurous side trip to what was once the largest town in Fayette County. Recently, the road to Winona has been extended all the way to the New River through a beautiful, pristine forest. A bit further east, Route 60 is intersected by Route 41, which leads to Babcock State Park, home of the frequently photographed Glade Creek Grist Mill. The park offers cabins for rent, seasonal swimming, and cross country skiing. Eastern Fayette County

39 Eastern Fayette County Also on Route 41 at Clifftop, Camp Washington Carver serves as the state s Mountain Cultural Arts Center. There is a family styled dinner theatre series and an Afro-American Arts Camp in the summer. Near the end of July, the five-day West Virginia String Band Music Festival attracts an audience of over 3000 music lovers who come from all over the world to hear great music and enjoy this gathering of friends and musicians. Near the western slope peak of Big Sewell Mountain is the 1824 Old Stone House (or Tyree Tavern) and on the eastern slope is Lee s Tree where General Lee camped during the Battle of Big Sewell and met his beloved warhorse, Traveller Eastern Fayette Eastern Fayette County

40 Western Greenbrier County Rainelle, Rupert, Meadow River, and Sam Black Church Scenic - Big Sewell Mountain Overlook Greenbrier Valley Big Levels Natural Big Sewell Mountain, Meadow Creek/Meadow River Wildlife Management Area, and numerous small creeks for fishing Recreational - Rainelle: Meadow River Park/Greenbrier Youth Camp, Greenbrier Hills Golf, Rupert: Picnicking Shelters Historical Hern s Mill Covered Bridge and Sam Black United Methodist Church Cultural Sam Black Church: Sam Black Methodist Church Industrial Heritage - Rainelle: Meadow River Lumber G reenbrier County begins near the eastern base of Big Sewell Mountain and the town of Rainelle. Ancient buffalo trails guided the first settlers through the area s undisturbed forests. Colonel Andrew Lewis and his father dubbed the area Greenbrier, after unpleasant encounters with prickly green briers while surveying the river valley in the mid-1700s. In 1774, Colonel Lewis and his men used the route to travel to the Battle of Point Pleasant. This overland portion of the trail became known as the Lewis Trail when George Washington advocated for an all-virginia route to connect the Virginia tidewater basin with the Ohio River, and ultimately, to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1785 the Virginia Legislature authorized money to build the old state road along the path of Lewis Trail, which is the present-day Midland Trail. The road was finished to Cedar Grove by 1790 (Mile19). Around 1906, the Raine brothers, for whom Rainelle is named, established the Meadow River Lumber Company. Known for the quality of its oak hardwood, New York s Waldorf Astoria Hotel and West Virginia s Governors Reception Hall were crafted with Greenbrier County lumber. The mill ceased operation in The Meadow River Mile 130, Population 1545, Elevation 2425 feet Rainelle 5.40 Western Greenbrier County

41 Rainelle, Rupert, and Meadow River 5.41 Festival, held the first weekend in August, celebrates the history of the lumber and coal industry, and the Midland Trail itself. Greenbrier Hills Golf is a public nine-hole course right on Route 60. The Meadow River Park/Greenbrier Youth Camp, a renovation project of the MTSHA, is located between Rainelle and Rupert and is open for public camping. The headwaters of the Meadow River, near Mile 85 at Sam Black Church, creates West Virginia s second largest wetland and a home for sport fish and fowl. Greenbrier County CVB recommends five area mini-tours. Hern s Mill Covered Bridge, one of only seventeen surviving in West Virginia, is on Tour # 5, as the Trail winds through the rolling farms of Greenbrier Valley, between Sam Black Church (I- 64, Exit 156) and, through the villages of Clintonville and Richlands. Western Greenbrier County Mile 130, Population 1545, Elevation 2425 feet Rainelle

42 and White Sulphur Springs Area Two of West Virgiinia s oldest towns, a culture of creativity, the world-famous Greenbrier Resort, surrounded by a state and national forests. Scenic - Greenbrier River Natural Greenbrier River, Lost World Caverns, and Organ Cave Recreational - : Roadside Park and Lost World Caverns; Caldwell: Greenbrier River Bike Trail, canoeing and river access; White Sulphur Springs: Greenbrier State Forest, Federal Fish Hatchery, Oakhurst, and the Greenbrier Resort and Bunker; Ronceverte: Organ Cave Historical : North House Museum, Old Stone Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, Andrew Lewis Park, The General Lewis, Battle of Reenactment, The Wisteria Bed and Breakfast; White Sulphur Springs: Oakhurst, The Greenbrier Resort and Bunker, Battle of Dry Creek Reenactment, James Wylie House and Lillian s Bed and Breakfast Caldwell: Old Stone Manse Bed and Breakfast; Ronceverte: Organ Cave Civil War Days; : Cemetery (surrounds Old Stone Church), Confederate Cemetery Cultural : Carnegie Hall, WV State Fair, Battle of Reenactment, one of the best small art towns in America, American Heritage Music Hall; White Sulphur Springs: The Greenbrier Hotel and Bunker, The Battle of Dry Creek Reenactment; Ronceverte: Organ Cave Civil War Days 5.42 and White Sulphur Springs White Sulphur Springs Area

43 Chartered in 1782 by the Virginia Assembly, is one of the oldest towns in West Virginia. The town s old section is a National Register Historic District. To get the flavor of begin with the twohour Walking Tour of Downtown, which boasts more than sixty 18th- and 19th-Century buildings in a town that dates to 1774 and has both Revolutionary and Civil War history. is a small town begging to be called home. The streets are lively and friendly. The shops quaint and inviting. Residents and travelers alike embrace the relaxed pace that offers respite from a more hurried, crowded world. Antiquities, culture, heritage, scenery, music, food, and recreation create a juxtaposition of both old and new in West Virginia. The shops are platforms for artisans who work in canvas, wood, paper, cloth, metal, stone, culinary delights, and more. has become a haven for West Virginians by choice, those who have fled larger cities for the benefits of simple living or who choose to stay where that influx adds to the culture of the area. Artists, photographers, writers, and chefs have made their way to and brought with them the trappings of a more cosmopolitan culture, such as galleries and live theater. All of this makes a fascinating place for a weekend or a longer stay. Unique food and civilized discourse abound. The Taste of our Town (TOOT) Festival on the second Saturday in October offers a great opportunity to sample offerings from local restaurants. Little wonder that is one of only seventy U.S. towns included in National Geographic s Guide to the Best Small Town Escapes and is also distinguished in the book The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. Mile 170, Population 3624, Elevation 2300 feet 5.43

44 White Sulphur Springs Since the 18th Century, the wealthy have flocked here to experience the legendary curative powers of the area s sulphur springs. For two centuries the world-famous, luxurious Greenbrier Resort, has treated Trail travelers to the best in hospitality, featuring grand decor, thirtyplus lobby shops and three championship golf courses situated on 6500 acres in the Allegheny Mountains. Used as a military hospital in WWII, The Greenbrier became the site of a former topsecret Cold War-Era Congressional bunker buried some 720 feet into the hillside. The Bunker is now open for tours. White Sulphur reenacts the 1862 Battle of Dry Creek, on the third weekend in August. Recreational offerings include Allegheny Trail, White Sulphur Springs is home to a visitors center for the 800,000-acre Monongahela National Forest, as well as Sherwood Lake, a 164-acre lake offering boating, swimming, fishing, picnic facilities, and camping. Nearby, the Greenbrier State Forest offers hiking, picnic facilities, rustic cabins, swimming, hunting, camping, and scenic overlooks on its 5130 acres. Each year, Greenbrier State Forest hosts a weekend reenactment of the Battle of Dry Creek the third week in August. The weekend includes maneuvers, an actual battle reenactment, and settlement camps. Oakhurst Links, established in 1884 by a Scottish family, was the first established golf club in the United States. Visitors today can golf the original course using replica wooden equipment. Sheep groom the grounds. Ronceverte s Organ Cave celebrates its Civil War history in late July-early August. The large entrance room of the cave provided shelter for many Confederate soldiers. It was large enough to hold religious services for 1100 of General Robert E. Lee s men. The cave also was an important source of saltpeter, a necessary ingredient in gunpowder White Sulphur Springs The area s U.S. Federal Fish Hatchery offers a selfguided tour of the facility, which produces 10 million trout eggs annually for shipment to other hatcheries. Mile 180, Population 2315, Elevation 1923 feet White Sulphur Springs