Fayetteville in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing
New River Gorge National River
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
1. From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing Marker
The same geological process that produced the region's coal seams also resulted in a layer of sandstone perfect for rock climbing This layer, called Nuttall Sandstone, has its origins in the ancient formation of the Appalachian Mountains. As these mountains eroded, a high percentage of quartz sandstone was left within the Nuttall layer. These hard and, in climber's terms, 'reliable,' sandstone cliffs measure 80-150 feet high and provide some of the finest rock climbing in the United States. Over 2,000 named climbing routes exist in the park, with even more in neighboring areas outside it.
Sustainability
Tourism and outdoor recreation
have replaced mining and
logging as major industries in
the gorge. While the outdoor
recreation industry can be
sustainable and environmentally
friendly, it has its own impacts.
Proper management and Leave
No Trace ethics help protect the
land from overuse and minimize
those impacts.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources
this page online
Location. 38° 4.25′ N, 81° 4.783′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It is on Fayette Station Road (County Road 82), on the right when traveling east. The marker is along the Fayette Station Road Audio Tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayetteville WV 25840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge and in Greater Charleston Area. 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 walking distance of this marker: Spanning the Gorge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Obstacle and an Avenue (about 500 feet away); Layers of History (about 500 feet away); The Bridge (about 500 feet
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
2. From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
3. From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 25, 2021
4. From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing Marker
Marker is roadside, right of center at the bottom, between two boulders.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on August 13, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
