African American Jazz Era singer Ada Smith, born here in 1894. Harlem Renaissance headliner, owned clubs in Paris, Rome & New York. — — Map (db m255189) HM
Here, where you are standing, you can see both sides of the Greenbrier River where Alderson’s Ferry crossed. The ferry was named for Elder John Alderson who received the original charter from the Virginia Legislature in 1786. During the Civil . . . — — Map (db m238228) HM
Greenbrier County. Formed, 1778, from Botetourt and Montgomery. Named for the river which drains it. This county had many pioneer forts and saw many bloody Indian battles. Here are the world-famed White Sulphur and other mineral springs. . . . — — Map (db m76553) HM
The only Federal industrial institution for women is one mile west. Established by an act of Congress, June 7, 1924. Received first tenants, April 30, 1927. Formally opened Nov. 24, 1928. Stresses rehabilitation and industrial education. — — Map (db m237308) HM
At this point atop the Alleghenies is the geographical feature known as the Great Eastern Divide, a natural barrier from which water flows to the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Jackson and James rivers and to the Gulf of Mexico via the Greebrier, New, . . . — — Map (db m62558) HM
Colonel Rowan was born here, April 23, 1857; graduated from West Point, 1881. Famed for securing vital information from Garcia, rebel leader of Cuba, during the War with Spain, 1898. For this exploit, he was given the D.C.S. Died, Jan 11, 1943. — — Map (db m83963) HM
West Virginia. (Monroe County). "The Mountain State" - western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. Settled by the Germans and Scotch-Irish. It became a line of defense between the English and French . . . — — Map (db m255187) HM
William J. Humphreys. Nearby noted meteorological physicist born 2/3/8162; died 11/10/1949. John Hopkins U. Ph.D., 1897; Director Mt. Weather Observatory 1905; famous for 1909 research on stratosphere; retired, Weather Service, 1935. Winds . . . — — Map (db m83986) HM
Constructed, circa 1770, on land owned by Valentine Cook on Indian Creek. Cook's Fort was one of the largest frontier forts on the western line of settlement, and provided very strong defensive post. Fort covered over acre and had four blockhouses. . . . — — Map (db m98866) HM WM
Home of Isaac Estill. Isaac moved to block house on Indian Creek in 1773 at age 7 with Wallace & Mary Ann Campbell Estill. In 1788 he married Elizabeth, dau. of John Frogg, killed in 1774 at Battle of Pt. Pleasant, & granddau. of John Lewis, . . . — — Map (db m99262) HM WM
Mann Miller. The Mann and Miller families, neighbors in Germany, together migrated to American and settled near this site circa 1774. First were friends John Miller and Jacob Mann. Families labored to build Cook's Fort, Indian Creek Church and . . . — — Map (db m98735) HM
The large rooms of theses caves have high vaults and are easily accessible from the outside and are dry under foot. They were owned by John Maddy in 1804. He sold them to Jacob and John Mann who manufactured saltpeter here for several years. The . . . — — Map (db m98864) HM
H.L. Dickason, a noted educator from Lindside and the grandson of slaves, graduated from Bluefield Colored Institute in 1910 and The Ohio State University in 1913. He returned to BCI to teach math and as president from 1936 to 1952 led Bluefield . . . — — Map (db m98900) HM
Atop the hill at the Coulter farm is the grave site of Elizabeth Graham Stodghill (1770-1858), and her husband Joel. In 1777, at age 7, Elizabeth was captured by a band of Shawnees who raided her home at Lowell and took her to Ohio. She was found . . . — — Map (db m98904) HM
For God and Country
We honor those veterans who have served America
They will not be forgotten
In memory of all veterans of all great wars "The cost of freedom is eternal . . . — — Map (db m304968) WM
An alluvial diamond weighing 34.48 carats, largest to date found in North America, was discovered here in April 1928 by William P."Punch" Jones and his father, Grover C. Jones Sr., while pitching horseshoes in the home yard of Mr. and Mrs. Grover C. . . . — — Map (db m98871) HM
This stone fountain is a remnant from when US Rt. 219 was one of the primary north-south roads in eastern West Virginia. Beginning at Rich Creek, VA, US 219 winds its way through the mountains before eventually reaching the northern terminus in . . . — — Map (db m305325) HM
Founded by Christian Peters who settled two miles east in 1784. Established as town in 1804. Peters served as expert rifleman in Revolutionary War. Giles, Fayette and Kanawha Turnpike, notable north-south route, linked town in 1830's. — — Map (db m98869) HM
West Virginia (Monroe County). "The Mountain State"- western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. Settled by the Germans and Scotch-Irish. It became a line of defense between the English and French during . . . — — Map (db m118889) HM
This defense, erected, 1775, by Captin Michael Woods, was of importance during Lord Dunmoore’s War. Troops from here were engaged in the Battle of Point Pleasant next year and later were with George Rogers Clark. — — Map (db m84132) HM
West Virginia’s first Corn Club was organized at Pickaway School on idea of county superintendent C.A. Keadle, with support from WVU Agricultural Dean T.C. Atkenson. WVU Extension Dept. provided 71 schoolchildren with tested seed in 1908 and 46 . . . — — Map (db m23998) HM
Site of a popular resort hotel, built in 1832. Water from the springs was reputed to have curative value. Hotel was used as a military hospital during Civil War. Last owner was Levi P. Morton, vice-president under Benjamin Harrison. — — Map (db m99130) HM
Ann Royall. Ann Royall, America's first woman journalist, lived here. Widowed at 50, she became an author and prominent figure in national political life. In her newspaper, "Paul Pry," at Washington, she set the style for modern columnists. . . . — — Map (db m34489) HM
Near here is grave of John Floyd, 1783-1837. Governor of Virginia, 1830-1834; champion of the Oregon Country and of States' Rights; leader in the formation of the Whig Party; bitter foe of administration of President Andrew Jackson. — — Map (db m34487) HM
Born, Jefferson County, Kentucky, April 24, 1783 a distinguished son of the American frontier, he served his nation as a soldier, physician, and legislator. Following service as an officer in the Virginia Militia, and as a surgeon in the War of . . . — — Map (db m34486) HM
Established as a home for the aged by act of the Legislature in 1945. Named for Andrew Summers Rowan, carrier of the "message to Garcia". The oldest building, erected in 1833, is of Thomas Jefferson design and named in his honor. — — Map (db m34488) HM
Born here November 21, 1810, Monroe County, he served in both houses of the Virginia legislature before the civil war. Although he opposed secession, he voted for it in 1861 at the Richmond Convention. From 1863 to 1865, Caperton served in the . . . — — Map (db m128136) HM
The oldest Methodist Church building west of the Allegheny Mountains is Rehoboth, built in 1786, just three miles east of Union. In 1804 its membership included 15 Blacks and 290 Whites. By 1831, there were five Methodist Episcopal Churches in . . . — — Map (db m298531) HM
The Greenbrier Limestone, which outcrops along U.S. Route 219 between here and Renick, is the “Big Lime” of the driller. Fish-egg like oölitic zones in the “Big Lime” yield oil and natural gas in West Virginia. — — Map (db m84108) HM
Born at Union, 1865. Converted at 15 at Simpson M. E. Church, Charleston. Licensed to preach; his first parish was Harpers Ferry 1889. His most distinguished pastoral work was the rebuilding of Asbury Church Washington, with a seating capacity of . . . — — Map (db m84106) HM
Born at Union, 1865. Converted at age 15 at Simpson M. E. Church, Charleston. Licensed to preach, his first parish was Harpers Ferry in 1889. His most prominent pastoral work was the rebuilding of Asbury Church in Washington. Clair was one of the . . . — — Map (db m298536) HM
This is the Chapman House, built in 1803 and the home of one of Union’s most prominent families. Augustus A. Chapman and his son, George Beirne Chapman, both served the Confederacy in the Civil War.
Augustus Chapman, an attorney, was twice a . . . — — Map (db m59260) HM
On Aug. 21, 1901 this 20 ft. monument with 6 ft. statue depicting typical Confederate soldier was dedicated to the Monroe County men who served the lost cause. Hinton Marble Works produced the Italian marble statue, standing on granite pedestal, . . . — — Map (db m76649) HM
Rebel postal services were formed in early 1861 under John H. Reagan, with operations commencing June 1. In contested sections of western Virginia, control of the mail often changed hands as battle lines ebbed and flowed. Southern strongholds in . . . — — Map (db m253408) HM
In May 1864, as Union Gen. George Crook led his force through Union on a Sunday morning after his victory at Cloyd’s Mountain, VA., on May 9, “there was a Sabbath stillness, scarcely anyone to be seen.” Although some of the Federals thought that . . . — — Map (db m59262) HM
When white settlers first came to this area prior to 1750, no Indians were permanent residents at that time. It was the hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, who resided along the Ohio River and came here to hunt, over trails along the Kanawha . . . — — Map (db m305327) HM
This is the home of John Echols, lawyer and general in the Confederate army. A graduate of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, he also attended the Virginia Military Institute and Harvard University.
After John Brown’s failed Harpers . . . — — Map (db m59264) HM
Gen. Echols was born March 20, 1823 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He entered the Confederate Army from his home in Union. With rank of Lieut. Col., Echols commanded the 27th Virginia Brigade. Staunton Infantry, at Manassas and was severely wounded at . . . — — Map (db m278753) HM
After repeated Indian attacks on the settlers volunteers from these forts joined the Fincastle Brigade and marched to Fort Union (now Lewisburg) There they joined the Colonial troops under the command of Col. Andrew Lewis. Under his command they . . . — — Map (db m305328) HM
First bishop of American Methodism, Francis Asbury, was present at the raising of the church, 1785; dedicated this log meeting house, 1786; and held three annual conferences in May, 1792, 1793, 1796.
The church was built chiefly by the means . . . — — Map (db m84023) HM
Oldest extant Protestant church west of the Alleghenies. Erected 1786 on land donated by Edward Keenan. Bishop Francis Asbury preached here in July 1788, held three Methodist conferences in 1790’s, and performed the first Methodist ordination west . . . — — Map (db m59267) HM
Indians were still about when Rehoboth Church was dedicated by Bishop Asbury in 1786, and rifles as well as Bibles were carried by the worshipers. This is the oldest church building west of the Allegheny Mountains. — — Map (db m298383) HM
Opened as a resort in 1820. Main building erected about 1823. Martin Van Buren, Clay, and Calhoun among prominent guests. General Jenkins and other Confederate leaders made headquarters here during several campaign. — — Map (db m253410) HM
Iroquois warriors went down the mountain ridges as far as the Carolinas, back and forht went the raiding parties until their moccasin feet had hardened a trance, long known as the Seneca Trail or "Warriors Path." The Cherokees were . . . — — Map (db m305329) HM
Settled in 1774 by James Alexander, who later served in Revolutionary Army. County organized at his house, 1799. “Walnut Grove,” built by Andrew Beirne, and “Elmwood,” built by the Capertons, fine examples of colonial architecture. — — Map (db m84107) HM
The white building in front of you and the red brick house behind you are the former Union College, a Presbyterian school founded in 1820 as Union Academy and the earliest private school still standing in West Virginia. The white dormitory-dining . . . — — Map (db m59266) HM
Organized Aug. 7, 1783 as good hope meeting house. It was the second church organized west of the Allegheny Mountains by the
Rev. John McGue.
The present church was built in 1922
during the pastorate of Robert Russell Gray, D.D. — — Map (db m243172) HM
Standing here, you're surrounded by Civil War history.
To your left rests the monument dedicated in 1901 to honor local men who served the Confederate States of America. Thirteen Virginia companies were formed here in Monroe County.
To . . . — — Map (db m298526) HM
The Confederate Monument, dedicated in 1901 to honor the local men who served the South, is up the walkway to your left. Thirteen Confederate companies were formed here in Monroe County.
From the top of the hill, behind the monument and the . . . — — Map (db m59269) HM
In Green Hill Cemetery is the grave of William Porcher Miles, who was a Congressman from SC, a signer of the SC Ordinance of Secession and a member of the Confederate Congress. During the Civil War he served on the staff of General PGT Beauregard . . . — — Map (db m59265) HM
Born 1707 in Germany, Swope came to America ca. 1720. Reputedly first to settle Monroe County, ca. 1752, when part of Augusta Co. Son Michael, born 29 Sept. 1753, recorded as 1st white child born in Monroe. Nearby is grave of son Joseph, seized . . . — — Map (db m255188) HM
