Near Lookout in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Spy Rock

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 29, 2010

1. Spy Rock Marker

Inscription. Sandstone formation at 2510 feet is landmark known for view of Sewell Mt. range to SE. Known as "Rock of Eyes" by Native Americans and dubbed "Spy Rock" by Civil War soldiers. Sept. 1861, Gen. J.D. Cox and 5,000 Union soldiers camped here to oppose Gen. Robert E. Lee at Sewell Mt. Site of Col. Geo. Alderson farm and tollgate on James River and Kanawha Turnpike, 1834-73. Source for name of Lookout.

Erected 1994 by In Memory of Civil War Veterans, and the West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 4.18′ N, 80° 58.656′ W. Marker is near Lookout, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 60 and Spy Rock Loop, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 60. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayetteville WV 25840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge

and in Greater Charleston Area.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Visiting Nuttallburg (approx. 3.4 miles away); Exploring Nuttallburg (approx. 3½ miles away); Segregated Coal Town

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(approx. 3½ miles away); Nuttallburg and Short Creek (approx. 3½ miles away); Home Sweet Home (approx. 3.6 miles away); A Building Evolves (approx. 3.7 miles away); Changing Landscape (approx. 3.7 miles away); a different marker also named Exploring Nuttallburg (approx. 3.7 miles away).

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 29, 2010

2. Spy Rock Marker

View looking east down US 60 on the left side of the historical marker and a view looking east down Spy Rock Loop on the right side of the historical marker.

Spy Rock Marker from West image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lisa Xtoc6, July 21, 2021

3. Spy Rock Marker from West

View East near foot of Spy Rock, where Rte 60 / Midland Trail (on left) meets Cty Rte 60/13 (on right) near Lookout, WV

Spy Rock in full summer vegetation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lisa Xtoc6, July 21, 2021

4. Spy Rock in full summer vegetation

View West of Spy Rock standing South side of Rte 60 (Midland Trail), where it meets Cty Rte 60/13, near Lookout, WV

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,295 times since then and 185 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2021, by Lisa Xtoc6 of Chicago, Illinois.