Near Cheat Bridge in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Asa Gray / Buffalo-Indian Trail
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 15, 2015
1. Asa Gray Side of Marker
In the distance is the adjacent Cheat Summit Camp marker.
Asa Gray. Asa Gray, famous Harvard botanist, discovered plants new to science as he crossed Cheat Mountain by way of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, August 1843. He was one of the original 50 named to New York Hall of Fame.
Buffalo-Indian Trail. Remnants of a Buffalo-Indian Trail as well as a wagon road of a 1788 survey can still be seen near the place where the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike crossed Cheat Mountain Summit one-fourth mile west.
Erected 2012 by West Virginia Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.
Location. 38° 36.756′ N, 79° 52.047′ W. Marker is near Cheat Bridge, West Virginia, in Randolph County. Marker is on U.S. 250 just east of the Shavers Fork Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huttonsville WV 26273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cheat Summit Camp (a few steps from this marker); Shavers Fork (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cabin Remains (approx. 0.9 miles away); Astride the Road from Nowhere
this page online
More about this marker. An earlier version of this marker, same titles, same text, same location, is listed in the WV Division of Culture and History’s 2002 West Virginia’s Historical Highway Markers book Marking our Past.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Asa Gray Wikipedia Entry. “Asa Gray is considered the most important American botanist of the 19th century. His Darwiniana was also considered an important explanation of how religion and science were not necessarily mutually exclusive.” (Submitted on April 7, 2015.)
2. Cheat Mountain Wikipedia Entry. “Cheat Mountain is an exceptionally high and rugged ridge situated in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. It is about 50 miles (80 km) long (north to south)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 15, 2015
2. Buffalo-Indian Trail Side of Marker
3. Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike Wikipedia Entry. “The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike was built in the Commonwealth of Virginia during the second quarter of the 19th century to provide a roadway from Staunton and the upper Shenandoah Valley to the Ohio River at present-day Parkersburg. Engineered by Claudius Crozet through the mountainous terrain, it was a toll road partially funded by the Virginia Board of Public Works. Control of this road became crucial during the American Civil War. Today, the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike can be traveled following Route 47 east from Parkersburg to Linn, then Route 33 east through Weston and Buckhannon to Elkins, then Route 250 south through Beverly and Huttonsville, crossing the West Virginia/Virginia state line to Stauton, Virginia.” (Submitted on April 7, 2015.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 15, 2015
3. Asa Gray / Buffalo-Indian Trail Marker
via Wikipedia Commons, 1867
4. Asa Gray (1810–1888)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 504 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
