Beverly in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Lemuel Chenoweth House
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
1. Lemuel Chenoweth House Marker
This last home of Lemuel Chenoweth (1811-1887) was built in 1856. The unique construction features in the house demonstrate his skills as an architect, carpenter, and bridgebuilder.
Lemuel and his brother Eli built a number of covered bridges on five Virginia turnpikes before the war, setting the standard for bridge construction. Their first bridge was built here in 1846 just behind where he later built his house. The covered bridge at Philippi, now restored to its original appearance, is the best known Chenoweth bridge, while the Barrackville bridge has the most remaining authentic material.
In 1837, Lemuel married Nancy Ann Hart and they had thirteen children. Two of their sons served in the Confederate Army. The eldest, Major Joseph H. Chenoweth, was killed at Port Republic. The second son, Zackary Taylor Chenoweth, then enlisted and served until the end of the war. Nevertheless, Union soldiers were billeted in the Chenoweth house during the war.
"...there is no better bridge builder than Mr. Chenoweth."
H.G. Johnson,
Superintendent Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike
Erected by Staunton Parkersburg Turnpike and Historic Beverly, West Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Lemuel Chenoweth House (here, next to this marker); Beverly Covered Bridge (here, next to this marker); Rowan House (within shouting distance of this marker); Crozet~Chenoweth / Rich Mountain Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Jonathan Arnold House (within shouting distance of this marker); Laura Jackson Arnold (within shouting distance of this marker); Adam Crawford House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Buckey House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly.
More about this marker. On the left is a photo of a bridge built by Chenoweth. This photo shows the building of Chenoweth's Burr Truss Beverly covered bridge in 1872, replacing the 1846 bridge burned in General Rosser's
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Marker Location
The Chenoweth house stands beside the road behind the marker. The bridge in the center replaced the wooden bridge built by Chenoweth.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by another at this location.
Also see . . . The Chenoweth House. Page from the Historic Beverly web site. (Submitted on November 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain
3. Chenoweth House and Museum
Chenoweth History website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,446 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
