Cheat Bridge in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Guarding the Turnpike
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 8, 2012
1. Guarding the Turnpike Marker
Inscription.
Guarding the Turnpike. . Federal forces built Cheat Summit Fort to control the strategic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, the road below you. It ran from Virginia to Parkersburg, (West) Virginia. When finished, the turnpike opened the first continuous route between Richmond and the Ohio River. The road was originally chartered in 1817, but would not be completed until 1847. Today U.S. 250 and WV Route 47 roughy follow its path., Further east along the turnpike, Confederates constructed Camps Bartow and Allegheny. They hoped to deny the Union easy access to the Shenandoah Valley. On clear days, soldiers at Cheat Summit could see the campfire smoke of the enemy over twenty miles away on Allegheny Mountain.
Federal forces built Cheat Summit Fort to control the strategic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, the road below you. It ran from Virginia to Parkersburg, (West) Virginia. When finished, the turnpike opened the first continuous route between Richmond and the Ohio River. The road was originally chartered in 1817, but would not be completed until 1847. Today U.S. 250 and WV Route 47 roughy follow its path.
Further east along the turnpike, Confederates constructed Camps Bartow and Allegheny. They hoped to deny the Union easy access to the Shenandoah Valley. On clear days, soldiers at Cheat Summit could see the campfire smoke of the enemy over twenty miles away on Allegheny Mountain.
Location. 38° 37.367′ N, 79° 52.76′ W. Marker is in Cheat Bridge, West Virginia, in Randolph County. Marker can be reached from County Route 250/4, 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250. Located in Fort Milroy. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huttonsville WV 26273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Astride the Road from Nowhere (here, next to this marker); Cabin Remains
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
