Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Two Buddies & An Angel
The Gaudet-Scott Garden
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025
1. **Two Buddies & An Angel** Marker
This bench & garden are dedicated to the memory of three of the most notable & contributing members of our Wesleyan and Buckhannon communities. Fred Gaudet (1949-99) was a native son who played football at B-U and Marshall University, but graduated from WVWC in 1993. Fred served his beloved B-U community in several positions, including as Sheriff, Magistrate, Upshur County Commissioner & City Police Chief.
For decades, Fred's mother, Mabel (1917-2002), operated an East Main Street beauty salon & boarding house located just a few doors down the street from City Hall. Mrs. Gaudet's boarders included many former Wesleyan students who universally recognized her as kind, caring and humorous. At her funeral in 2002, she was eulogized as an "angel."
One of Fred & Mabel's closest friends was John Scott (1942-2010), also born here. John was one of our community's all-time most colorful characters. Graduating from Wesleyan in 1967, John amassed more than 45 years in journalism, including stints as WVWC's Director of News Services (1990-95) & Editor-in-Chief of Buckhannon's Record Delta newspaper (1995-2003). John left his
this page online
The two buddies, Fred & John, now are neighbors, buried but a couple of bends down the river in Heavner Cemetery, while the angel, Mabel, rests in peace at Rocky Ford Cemetery. All three left wonderful imprints upon our campus & community and WVWC will forever remember and cherish their rich and caring legacies!
Erected 2015 by West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Buckhannon Community.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.
Location. 38° 59.553′ N, 80° 12.727′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It can be reached from the intersection of Wood Street and Walktrail Lane, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Buckhannon River Walk Trail most easily accessed from the Buckhannon Dog
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025
2. **Two Buddies & An Angel** Marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern 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: West Virginia Wesleyan College (within shouting distance of this marker); Juglans nigra (black walnut) (within shouting distance of this marker); Juglans cinerea (butternut, or white walnut) (within shouting distance of this marker); Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet) (within shouting distance of this marker); Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Castanea dentata x mollissima (Dunstan chestnut) (about 400 feet away); The Bicentennial Sycamore (about 500 feet away); Bob Wallace Bridge (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
