Beaver in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

What's In A Name?

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 3, 2024

1. What's In A Name? Marker

Inscription. Many visitors come here to admire the "Grand View." One of the first of these visitors was Joseph Carper, a gunsmith who moved his family here in 1855. They sold their "Carper rifles" to area residents for $25 each, and operated a sawmill, gristmill, and boarding house.

In 1939, the state of West Virginia purchased 52 acres of land at Grandview to develop a day use park. The Civilian Conservation Corps built roads, shelters, and a picnic area, all still in use today. Constriction began in 1960 on the 1200-seat Cliffside Amphitheater. The children's playgrounds, recreation area, and additional walkways were built from 1961 to 1964. "Honey in the Rock" premiered at the amphitheater in 1961. and "Hatfields and McCoys" debuted in 1970.

After more than 50 years as one of West Virginia's most popular state parks, Grandview was transferred to the National Park Service in 1990. As an integral part of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, this popular destination still brings visitors out for the "Grand View."

Erected by New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 37° 49.789′ N, 81° 3.824′ W. Marker is in Beaver, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. It is on Grandview Road, on the right when traveling south. Located adjacent to the parking lot for the visitor center at the Grandview unit of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4700 Grandview Rd, Beaver WV 25813, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge.

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: A Born Again Ecosystem (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Canyon of the East (within shouting

Photos on the Lower Left of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 3, 2024

2. Photos on the Lower Left of Marker

Theater West Virginia's productions of West Virginia history have entertained audiences for generations in the outdoor theater.

distance of this marker); Those Who Came Before (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Railroad Days (about 400 feet away); Black Gold (about 400 feet away); The Ingram House Foundation (about 400 feet away); The Grand View (about 800 feet away); Grandview Monitor (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaver.

Also see . . .
1. Theater of West Virginia. Background information about the Theater of West Virginia. (Submitted on May 11, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Grandview - New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. More information on the Grandview unit of the national park. (Submitted on May 11, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photo on Right Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 3, 2024

3. Photo on Right Side

Family at Grandview's main overlook, circa 1960.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 3, 2024

4. What's In A Name? Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.