Near Cherry Grove in Pendleton County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Birthplace of Rivers

Photographed by Dave W, August 17, 2024

1. Birthplace of Rivers Marker

Inscription. Here mountain waters divide into many rivers. Greenbrier, Gauley and Elk start south and west to the Kanawha; the Jackson east to the James; north goes the South Branch to the Potomac, and the Cheat and Tygard to the Monongahela.

Erected 1973 by West Virginia Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 36.759′ N, 79° 37.533′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is near Cherry Grove, West Virginia, in Pendleton County. It is on West Virginia Route 28 just east of the Pocahontas County line, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Circleville WV 26804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in Appalachia.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the

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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 10 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Pendleton County / Pocahontas County (within shouting distance of this marker); Indians (approx. 8.3 miles away); Camp Bartow (approx. 9½ miles away); Travellers Repose (approx. 9½ miles away); Blue and Gray / “Travelers’ Repose” (approx. 9½ miles away); a different marker also named Camp Bartow (approx. 9½ miles away); Spirited Artillery Duel (approx. 9½ miles away); a different marker also named Camp Bartow (approx. 9.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Spruce Knob (was approx. 9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was not present on September 19, 2018. The Pocahontas County line sign that was just beyond this marker in contemporary photographs of it has been moved to the other side of the road.

Regarding Birthplace of Rivers. The phrase “Birthplace of Rivers” has been used since the early 20th century to describe the highlands in West Virginia

Photographed by Dave W, August 17, 2024

2. Birthplace of Rivers Marker

where Pendleton, Pocahontas and Randolph counties meet.

Also see . . . Flickr image of this historical marker. Photographed by Jimmy Emerson in 2011. (Submitted on October 1, 2018.)

Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This marker, originally erected in 1973, was damaged. In 2021, the marker was replaced with a new one that has an identical title and inscription. Per FAQ 29, this replacement sign does not receive its own profile, but instead updates this original profile.

— Submitted August 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Photographed by Dave W, August 17, 2024

3. Birthplace of Rivers Marker

This is what is left of the sign at the location across from the new marker that is identical with the exception of the date.

Photographed by Dave W, August 17, 2024

4. Birthplace of Rivers Marker

Here is the old (1974) marker across the road from the new (2021) marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.

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