Near Mabie in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike

Rich Mountain Battlefield

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

1. Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Marker

Inscription. This turnpike connected the upper Shenandoah Valley with the Ohio River by 1847. Designed by master engineer Claudius Crozet, it was a major rock-paved roadway with toll stations. The road you are traveling follows the original turnpike route. Both armies struggled for control of this road in 1861. The Union victory at Rich Mountain secured much of Western Virginia and sustained a growing statehood movement. A 35th star was added to the flag in 1863 for West Virginia.

Union and Confederate troops clashed on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike throughout the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee unsuccessfully tried to regain control of the area later in 1861. See many of these sites today along the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Byway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 38° 52.209′ N, 79° 57.33′ W. Marker is near Mabie, West Virginia, in Randolph County. It is on Rich Mountain Road / Files Creek Road (County Route 37/8), on the right when traveling west. Located in the Rich Mountain Battlefield's Camp Garnett section. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mabie WV 26278, 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,

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: A different marker also named Camp Garnett (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Fortifications (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Rich Mountain (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rich Mountain (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rich Mountain (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Stable Yard (approx. 1.2 miles away); General William S. Rosecrans (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Hart House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mabie.

Other markers no longer nearby. Camp Garnett (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); General George B. McClellan (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Artillery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Welcome to Rich Mountain Battlefield (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. On the left is a map of Western Virginia with key points related to the 1861 campaigns noted. On the right is a sketch depicting the delegates in Wheeling. While soldiers battled here, delegates
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

2. Map of Western Virginia
gathered in Wheeling to form a loyal Union government of Virginia. Their efforts were supported by President Lincoln and on June 20, 1863, a new state was born - West Virginia.

Also see . . . Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. Page from the Rich Mountain Battlefield site. (Submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

3. Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Marker

Rich Mountain Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

4. Rich Mountain Road

The road uses the old road bed of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,237 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.