Near Albright in Preston County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Dunkard Bottom

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

1. Dunkard Bottom Marker

Inscription. Thomas Echarlin (Echarly) and two brothers settled here, 1784; first white men of record in Preston County. Brothers killed by Indians and cabin was burned. Site of National Guard Camp since 1909.

Erected 2012 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 39° 27.617′ N, 79° 38.984′ W. Marker is near Albright, West Virginia, in Preston County. It is at the intersection of West Virginia Route 7 and St. Joe Road (Local Route 7/12), on the right when traveling west on West Virginia Route 7. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albright WV 26519, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Dawson (approx. one mile away); The Dr. John W. Trenton Track and Field Facility (approx. 1½ miles away); Priests Who Served The Catholic Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Preston County Poor Farm (approx. 1.7 miles away); Preston Memorial Hospital

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(approx. 1.7 miles away); Community Soccer Fields (approx. 1.7 miles away); Preston High School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Maplewood Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away).

Regarding Dunkard Bottom. The West Virginia Army National Guard camp mentioned on the marker is Camp Dawson.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

2. Dunkard Bottom Marker

Three zip codes meet here. Terra Alta’s 26764 is behind the photograper, Albright’s 26519 heads off to the right on St. Joe Road, and Kingwood’s 26537 starts at the bridge.

West Virginia Army National Guard Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 16, 2022

3. West Virginia Army National Guard Building

This is the primary structure at Camp Dawson.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,682 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 16, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.