Near Upper Tract in Pendleton County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Smoke Hole

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 30, 2016

1. Smoke Hole Marker

Inscription. Smoke Hole, a rugged canyon formed by the South Branch of the Potomac River, extends eighteen miles south to U.S. 220. Early explorers reported that heavy mists rising from the canyon looked like smoke coming from a deep hole. The canyon contains many caves and spectacular rock formations. Among the many caves, is Smoke Hole Cave. Its name originates from the presence of smoke stains on the roof which may have been caused by Indian campfires.

Erected 1969 by Virginia Department of Culture and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 48.375′ N, 79° 16.585′ W. Marker is near Upper Tract, West Virginia, in Pendleton County. It is on Smoke Hole Road (County Route 2) just north of Petersburg Pike (U.S. 220), on the right when traveling north. It is at the old bridge where Petersburg Pike crossed the South Branch of the Potomac River, now just north of the present bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Upper Tract WV 26866, 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,

and in 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Smoke Hole (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort Upper Tract

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(approx. 1.3 miles away); Eagle Rocks (approx. 1½ miles away); St. George’s Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Old Judy Church (approx. 5.3 miles away); Pendleton County / Grant County (approx. 5.4 miles away); 10th Mountain Division (approx. 5.6 miles away); Sites Homestead (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Tract.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Smoke Hole Cave (was approx. 2½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “Defined to the east by Cave Mountain and to the west by North Fork Mountain, Smoke Hole has been part of the Monongahela National Forest’s Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area since 1965, although some of it is still private land. Formerly, the area was home to a scattered community of family homesteads, storied for their isolation, traditional lifestyles, and skilled production of the illicit liquor known as ‘moonshine.’ Today, The Nature Conservancy considers Smoke Hole and the surrounding mountains to be ‘one of the most biologically rich places in

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 30, 2016

2. Smoke Hole Marker

the East,’ especially as regards its rare plant communities” (Submitted on July 1, 2016.)

Smoke Hole Canyon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 30, 2016

3. Smoke Hole Canyon

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 30, 2016

4. Smoke Hole Canyon

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,066 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.