Beverly in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Lemuel Chenoweth House
Beverly's Bridge Builder
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
1. Lemuel Chenoweth House Marker
Lemuel Chenoweth (1811-1887) built this home in 1856. Its unique structure demonstrates his skills as an architect, carpenter, inventor, and bridgebuilder.
Lemuel and his brother, Eli, built a number of covered bridges on five different Virginia turnpikes before the Civil War. Their first bridge was built here in Beverly in 1846, just behind where he later built this 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 authentic material still remaining in the structure.
In 1837, Lemuel married Nancy Ann Hart; they had thirteen children in total. Two of their sons served in the Confederate army. Despite this, Union soldiers were billeted in the Chenoweth house during the war.
(Captions):
A large porch marked the Chenoweth House during the 20th Century.
(Left) Construction of Chenoweth's Burr Truss covered bridge in Beverly in 1872, replacing the 1846 bridge burned during the Jones-Imboden Raid. Lemuel obtained the funding for rebuilding the bridge in 1872 while serving in the West Virginia Legislature. The 1872 bridge was removed in favor of a modern highway bridge in the 1950s.
Erected by Historic
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 38° 50.52′ N, 79° 52.531′ W. Marker is in Beverly, West Virginia, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Rich Mountain Road (West Virginia Route 37/8), on the left when traveling north on Water Street. Located at Stop 14 on the Historic Beverly Walking Tour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Water Street, Beverly WV 26253, 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 walking distance of 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); Occupied Beverly (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly.
Other markers no longer nearby. Lemuel Chenoweth House (has been replaced with this marker); Peter Buckey House
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
2. Lemuel Chenoweth House Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced another at this location.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
3. Lemuel Chenoweth House
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 6, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
