Near Beaver in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Big Beaver Creek Ancient Fortification

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 8, 2017

1. Big Beaver Creek Ancient Fortification Marker

Inscription. The ancient fortification in a bend of Beaver Creek was first surveyed by Alfred Beckley in 1837. Isaac Craig mapped it a year later and estimated then~fallen stone walls were 7 feet thick and 6 feet high. The walls of large enclosure, with design similar to Middle Woodland era "forts" are now gone and only trace archeological evidence links early Native Americans to the site.

Erected 2016 by Raleigh County Historical Society; West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 37° 45.092′ N, 81° 8.869′ W. Marker is near Beaver, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. It is at the intersection of Ritter Drive (West Virginia Route 19) and Blue Jay Drive, on the right when traveling south on Ritter Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaver WV 25813, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Casa Loma (approx. one mile away); Colonel Ernest E. Chilson (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Grand Chilson Home: Casa Loma (approx. 1.2

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miles away); "The Most Modern Club": Black Knight (approx. 1.3 miles away); Beckley Mill (approx. 1.7 miles away); Stratton High School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bill Withers (approx. 1.8 miles away); Old Bluestone Road (approx. 2 miles away).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 8, 2017

2. Big Beaver Creek Ancient Fortification Marker

Dedication of Big Beaver Creek Ancient Fortification Marker, April 2017 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Davis, 2017

3. Dedication of Big Beaver Creek Ancient Fortification Marker, April 2017

From left: Merle Cole, marker program officer; Dave Fuerst and Frank Sellers, National Park Service ranger-archeologists; and Tom Sopher, society president

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,280 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 9, 2021, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.