Guarding the Turnpike Marker

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Cheat Bridge in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Guarding the Turnpike

By Bernard Fisher, August 8, 2012

1. Guarding the Turnpike Marker

Inscription. Federal forces built Cheat Summit Fort to control the strategic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, the road below you. It ran from Virginia to Parkersburg, (West) Virginia. When finished, the turnpike opened the first continuous route between Richmond and the Ohio River. The road was originally chartered in 1817, but would not be completed until 1847. Today U.S. 250 and WV Route 47 roughy follow its path.

Further east along the turnpike, Confederates constructed Camps Bartow and Allegheny. They hoped to deny the Union easy access to the Shenandoah Valley. On clear days, soldiers at Cheat Summit could see the campfire smoke of the enemy over twenty miles away on Allegheny Mountain.

Erected by US Forest Service.

Location. 38° 37.367′ N, 79° 52.76′ W. Marker is in Cheat Bridge, West Virginia, in Randolph County. Marker can be reached from County Route 250/4 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250. Click for map. Located in Fort Milroy. Marker is in this post office area: Huttonsville WV 26273, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Astride the Road from Nowhere (here, next to this marker); Cabin Remains (within shouting distance of this marker); Behind the Parapet (within shouting distance of this marker); Cheat Summit Fort (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Shavers Fork (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cheat Summit Camp (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cheat Mountain (approx. 2.4 miles away); Old Brick Church (approx. 7.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Cheat Bridge.

By Bernard Fisher, August 8, 2012

2. Guarding the Turnpike Marker

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike road trace Photo, Click for full size

By Bernard Fisher, August 8, 2012

3. Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike road trace

Credits. This page originally submitted on August 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.