Thomas in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The Blackwater

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

1. The Blackwater Marker

Inscription. To the southwest is Blackwater Falls, 63 feet high, and its rugged gorge. It drains lovely Canaan Valley, which may be seen from the mountain top, 3700 feet high. It was made famous in “Blackwater Chronicles” by “Porte Crayon.”

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 39° 9.097′ N, 79° 29.794′ W. Marker is in Thomas, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker is on Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32) south of U.S. 219, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thomas WV 26292, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Window to the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); A "Howling Wilderness" (within shouting distance of this marker); Out On The Town (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Melting Pot of Thomas (about 700 feet away); Connecting Thomas to the World (about 700 feet away); A Lesson in Resourcefulness (about 700 feet away); Dwellings and Design

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas, West Virginia Mine Disaster Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomas.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Blackwater River. “It is a true blackwater stream, owing to spruce and hemlock trees in its watershed, the tannins of which impart a tea or amber color to its water. ... After passing the town of Davis, it falls 62 feet (19 m) over Blackwater Falls and enters the eight-mile (13 km) long Blackwater Canyon in Blackwater Falls State Park. Here it forms whitewater rapids of Class IV-V+” (Submitted on June 25, 2014.)

2. Blackwater Chronicle. 2002 edition of the 1853 book by Philip Pendleton Kennedy and David Hunter Strother on Amazon.com. “West Virginia University English Professor Timothy Sweet edited the second volume in our West Virginia and Appalachia series. The Blackwater Chronicle by Philip Pendleton Kennedy was originally published in 1853, but this wilderness travelogue about the exploration of Canaan Valley has appeal far beyond that time and region. In fact, it was originally published in New York and London, and even in a German edition. This often humorous and always fascinating story, told by Kennedy about

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

2. The Blackwater Marker

the journey he and his colleagues took into yet unexplored territory, will make the reader long for days when there was still wilderness on this continent. It will also be of interest to the outdoorsman and should be viewed as an environmental cautionary tale.” Original edition also available as a free eBook on Google Play Books. (Submitted on June 25, 2014.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

Blackwater Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, March 27, 2021

3. Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Gorge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Linda Walcroft, October 14, 2018

4. Blackwater Gorge

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on October 13, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.