Built, 1830, on the old James River and Kanawha Turnpike. Restored antebellum home of Colonel George W. Imboden, on General Lee's staff, C.S.A. Property and headquarters of the Fayette County Historical Society, organized in 1926. — — Map (db m50392) HM
Regular stop on the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. The original building, dating from before the Revolution, was rebuilt by William Tyree, 1810. During the winter of 1861-62, it was headquarters for Chicago Gray Dragoons. — — Map (db m67013) HM
After the Civil War, George W. Imboden lived here with his wife, Mary Tyree, the daughter of William Tyree of Tyree Tavern. When the war began, Imboden enlisted in the Staunton Artillery in Augusta County, Virginia, where he then resided. He . . . — — Map (db m34371) HM
The Birdman of West Virginia
When thinking of the early aviation history of the United States, many times we think of Dayton or Kitty Hawk. However, the town of Ansted also holds a very special place in the story, as it was the birthplace of . . . — — Map (db m173335) HM
Once called Marshall’s Pillar for Chief Justice John Marshall, who came here, 1812. U.S. engineers declare the New River Canyon, 585 feet deep, surpasses the famed Royal Gorge. Tunnel for river makes vast water power here. — — Map (db m20675) HM
Mouth of the great Hawk's Nest Tunnel, three miles long, which diverts water of New River from its five-mile long gorge. The tunnel, a mile of which is through solid rock, and a 50-foot dam give waterfall of 160 feet for electric power. — — Map (db m34421) HM
Like many other areas of West Virginia, coal mining has played an important role in the history of Ansted and the surrounding area. Soon after the 1873 completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, coal mines began springing up in the New River . . . — — Map (db m173339) HM
In 1930 the Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation was in the process of building its new electrometallurgical plant in nearby Boncar (later known as Alloy). It was decided a hydroelectric power station would be constructed near Gauley Bridge with a . . . — — Map (db m173337) HM
Construction of nearby tunnel, diverting waters of New R. through Gauley Mt. for hydroelectric power, resulted in state’s worst industrial disaster. Silica rock dust caused 109 admitted deaths in mostly black, migrant underground work force of . . . — — Map (db m34417) HM
Eight panels mounted to the inside of the town gazebo depict some historical and notable features of the town.
Panel 1 - Town of Ansted
The town of Ansted, West Virginia chartered in 1891, was created because of coal. The town's . . . — — Map (db m173340) HM
In Westlake Cemetery is the grave of the mother of General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The monument at the grave was placed by Captain Thomas Ranson, who had fought in Jackson's old brigade in the War between the States. — — Map (db m34376) HM
The sheer cliffs of Nuttall sandstones forming the walls of the New River Gorge are the "Salt Sands" of the driller. These sands produce oil and natural gas in West Virginia and commercial brines on the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers.
Sponsored . . . — — Map (db m34420) HM
During his and Gen. Henry Alexander Wise’s unsuccessful Kanawha Valley campaign, Confederate Gen. John B. Floyd made his headquarters here, August 17-18, 1861, while Wise camped on the top of Big Sewell Mountain. In 1862, according to an inscription . . . — — Map (db m59937) HM
This is one of the earliest identified cemeteries west of the Allegheny Mountains. William Tyree, owner of nearby Tyree Tavern, and Confederate Col. George W. Imboden, brother of Gen. John D. Imboden, are buried here. The cemetery is best known, . . . — — Map (db m173345) HM
William Nelson Page became one of the leading managers and developers of West Virginia's coalfields in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with much of his time being spent here in Ansted. While president of the Gauley Mountain Coal Company, . . . — — Map (db m173338) HM
Nearby is grave of Seaberry Osborne
(circa, 1815-66), daughter of Chief
Running Bear. She married Solomon
Osborne in Cherokee, N.C. and in
1838 fled to escape “Trail of Tears.”
The Native American pioneers found
sanctuary in the mountains and . . . — — Map (db m138009) HM
On a ridge between Armstrong and Loop creeks across the river are extensive prehistoric stone ruins whose walls are several miles long, and enclose a large area. Many of these stones are from the valley below the old wall. — — Map (db m20820) HM
On July 26, 1942 the first African American 4-H camp in the United States was opened here in Fayette County. A 1929 report showed that 44 of the state’s 55 counties had 4-H camps for white children, hut none for black children. Fleming Adolphus . . . — — Map (db m138104) HM
Camp named for Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) and George Washington Carver (1864-1943). Land deeded for sum of $5.00 by Charles and Kathryn Midelburg. Constructed 1939-1942 by local WPA labor with materials found on site including stone and native . . . — — Map (db m138103) HM
Plaque One
Abraham Vandal
1758-1848
* Born in Dutchess, NY
* Soldier in the American Revolutionary War 1776-1781
* Married Mary Dillon 1780
* Father of Eight Children
* Early Fayetteville Settler
* In 1812 Abraham . . . — — Map (db m55816) HM
This torch has been erected
by
American Legion Post 149
Fayetteville. West Virginia
as a tribute to
the veterans of all wars who
by their patriotism and loyalty
served God and Country — — Map (db m203948) WM
During the Civil War, Fort Scammon stood in front of you on the hill behind the courthouse. There, on September 10, 1862, Union Col. Edward Siber and the 1,500 men of his 37th Ohio Infantry defended Fayetteville against Confederate Gen. William . . . — — Map (db m59214) HM
Battle of Fayetteville (1862)
On September 10, 1862, soldiers under the command of Confederate Gen. W.W. Loring attacked Union forces in Fayetteville under Col. Edward Siber, driving them out of the town towards Charleston, where fighting . . . — — Map (db m120516) HM
You are in the New River watershed, a place where streams and rainfall drain to a common outlet. Here that outlet is the New River. This 320 mile river is the main stem of a 7,000 square mile watershed that starts in the western mountains of North . . . — — Map (db m179414) HM
At the top of the hill here a community came together to help Jewish soldiers
keep their faith in the midst of war. In early April 1862, Pvt. Joseph A. Joel
and 20 other Jewish soldiers in the 23rd Ohio Infantry asked Col.
Rutherford B. Hayes, a . . . — — Map (db m223876) HM
(Side A)
I have taken an oath
To serve and protect my fellow man
Guide me safely in my duties
To do the very best I can
Give me the ability
To stop those things that are wrong
To bring comfort and safety by restoring it to . . . — — Map (db m161223)
In the attack on Federal forces here, 1863. Milton W. Humphreys, the educator and soldier, gunner of Bryan's Battery, 13th Virginia Light Artillery, C.S.A., first used “indirect firing,” now in universal military use. — — Map (db m55815) HM
Left Marker
Fayetteville Town Park
Memorial Park was presented to citizens of Fayetteville to honor all veterans who served to defend their country. LaFayette Post No. 149, The American Legion, obtained lease for this property on August . . . — — Map (db m161226) WM
Memorial Park was presented to citizens of Fayetteville to honor all veterans who served to defend their country. LaFayette Post No. 149, The American Legion, obtained lease for this property on August 4, 1958 from the New River Pocahontas Coal Co. . . . — — Map (db m76724) HM WM
The same geological process that produced the region's coal seams
also resulted in a layer of sandstone perfect for rock climbing
This layer, called Nuttall Sandstone, has its origins in the ancient
formation of the Appalachian Mountains. As . . . — — Map (db m165212) HM
Mining towns sprang up along the
banks of the New River when, in 1873,
the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway created
a pathway for transportation through the
region. Thurmond, Kaymoor, Nuttallburg,
Fayette, and other communities formed due
to the . . . — — Map (db m165210) HM
Nearby on May 19-20, 1863, Corp. Milton W. Humphreys, gunner in Bryan's Battery, 13th Virginia Light Artillery, C.S.A., made first use of indirect artillery fire in warfare. Target was Union fort in Fayetteville. — — Map (db m217549) HM
Presented to
Lafayette Post 149 American Legion
by
Scotia Coal & Coke Company
in recognition
of the services rendered by
our employees who
served in World War II — — Map (db m203953) WM
Front Plaque
French Statesman
Friend of the American Revolution
“...The new County so to be formed be called Lafayette or Fayette County to perpetuate a remembrance of his virtues and philanthropy through future ages of our . . . — — Map (db m55817) HM
Morris Harvey House
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1902 — — Map (db m204329) HM
The gorge, like all
environments, is continually
changing. Change peaked in
the late 1800s when logging,
mining, and the railroad
converged to play a vital role
in the industrialization of the
United States. By the 1960s,
industrial . . . — — Map (db m165213) HM
New River Gorge Bridge
has been placed on the
National Register of
Historic Places
August 14, 2013
by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m165219) HM
With the opening of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge on October 22, 1977, the challenge of getting
across the 876 foot deep gorge was solved. The bridge dramatically decreased travel time. A 45 minute
winding drive down and back up suddenly . . . — — Map (db m165211) HM
The primary goal of most coal mining companies in New River Gorge was to maximize profits and decrease costs. It was common for coal companies to put physical and social needs of their workers and families last. Safety, health, social service and . . . — — Map (db m179418) HM
John Townsend bought a large tract of land here in 1841, an area that became Lansing, Ames Heights and Canyon Rim Park. Operated a ferry that provided commercial transport across the river at site of present bridge until the civil war. Grandson . . . — — Map (db m78288) HM
Masonic group owned property in 1854. Baptists worshipped here prior to Civil War, but building destroyed during the conflict. Contains 29 marked graves, including town's early settlers and soldiers of the Civil War. A number of graves are marked . . . — — Map (db m76708) HM
Imagine shoveling coal all day while balanced on your knees! In the coal mines of the gorge, the height of the mines corresponded to the height of the coal seam, in some cases just three feet tall. To loosen the coal, explosives were set of at the . . . — — Map (db m179416) HM
When the war began, most residents of this part of present-day West Virginia were Confederate in their sympathies. Both Confederate and Union forces considered the wooden covered bridge here strategically important because the James River and . . . — — Map (db m34373) HM
Christopher Q. Tompkins
Born 1813 in Matthews County, VA.
Tompkins was an 1836 graduate of
West Point. A prominent industrial
businessman in the Kanawha Valley
before the Civil War, from May to
November 1861 he was colonel of
the . . . — — Map (db m138027) HM
Here New and Gauley rivers unite to form Great Kanawha River. Piers still stand of old bridge destroyed by the Confederate troops in 1861. Here Thomas Dunn English, author of the ballad, "Ben Bolt," wrote "Gauley River". — — Map (db m20818) HM
Today we stand on a silent battlefield. The smoke of guns long since cooled hangs densely about our feet. Thousands of white crosses honor the noble dead. The wars are over. And the empty echoes of yesterday’s cannons ring dimly in our ears.
. . . — — Map (db m138034) WM
Located across Kanawha River from this point was Civil War camp for Union Army, 1862-64. Site had 56 cabins and parade grounds for 23rd Ohio Vol. Inf. commanded by Col. Rutherford B. Hayes and Lt. William McKinley, future United States presidents. — — Map (db m50397) HM
From 1909 to 1939, the Bank of Glen Jean provided financial power for the mines, towns, and people along Dunloup
Creek, shaping the lives of many in the New River coal fields. William McKell served as president for the bank's entire
existence . . . — — Map (db m165214) HM
The town of Glen Jean-and a small empire-began as a wedding gift. In 1870, Thomas McKell of Ohio received about 12,500 acres of
West Virginia land from his father-in-law. After geologists confirmed the presence of coal, McKell purchased another . . . — — Map (db m165216) HM
Directly across the street stood the Glen Jean Athletic Club. Alongside it was the ball bark. These, along with tennis and croquet courts, made Glen Jean a center for indoor and outdoor sports.
In New River’s coal towns, baseball was a major . . . — — Map (db m99966) HM
In New River coal towns, baseball was a major part of social life. Fierce competition sometimes prompted coal companies
to hire workers, or pay them more, based upon athletic ability. Glen Jean teams played against other company town teams . . . — — Map (db m167363) HM
The nearby highway is part of route traversing W.Va. from Lewisburg to Point Pleasant memorialized by the state to commemorate the march of the American Colonial army of 1,200 men led by Andrew & Charles Lewis. After a month's march this army . . . — — Map (db m33809) HM
Kaymoor was one of the largest coal mine complexes in the New River Gorge.
You are at Kaymoor One. Here workers mined over 16 million tons of coal and
processed one million tons of coke between 1899 and 1962.
Kaymoor was a company town, built . . . — — Map (db m165222) HM
Getting around at Kaymoor was a challenge. Workers and their families either lived at Kaymoor Top, where you are standing now, or 900 feet
below at Kaymoor Bottom. Company employees either worked in the middle of the gorge (bench) where the coal . . . — — Map (db m165221) HM
On opposite sides of the New River, the twin mining towns of Fayette and South Fayette were established along the tracks of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. The company town of Fayette provided miners with housing, a company store, a school, post . . . — — Map (db m179372) HM
The original Fayette Station Bridge built in 1889 provided a much needed way to reach the other side of the gorge. No longer did people have to take a dangerous and time-consuming ferry to get across the river.
The bridge you are standing on . . . — — Map (db m179369) HM
Nine hundred feet below, New River flows north. North? Odd in the American east where rivers don’t flow north. Oddities seem common at New River.
The river’s name and age are both unusual. No one knows the name’s origin: some say explorers found . . . — — Map (db m99982) HM
You may find it hard to believe that the New River Gorge was once teeming with activity. Coal mining dominated the economy and social structure of the state of West Virginia between 1875 and 1950. During this time over forty coal mining towns were . . . — — Map (db m165274) HM
In the early 1900’s, mines and mining towns lined New River Gorge. One such town, Kaymoor, stood in the distance where the river disappears from view. Kaymoor typified New River’s mining era.
For years New River Gorge’s rugged remoteness defied . . . — — Map (db m99988) HM
Completed in 1977, New River Bridge is the world’s longest single-arch steel span bridge. At 876 feet above the river it is American’s 2nd-highest bridge.
Features to Notice Color. The steel used here, Cor-ten steel, rusts slightly on the . . . — — Map (db m99996) HM
When the New River Gorge Bridge
was completed on October 22, 1977,
a travel challenge was solved. The
bridge reduced a 45-minute drive
down narrow mountain roads and
across one of North America's
oldest rivers to less than a minute
drive. . . . — — Map (db m165220) HM
When the New River Gorge Bridge
was completed on October 22, 1977,
a travel challenge was solved. The
bridge reduced a 45-minute drive
down narrow mountain roads and
across one of North America's
oldest rivers to less than a minute
drive. . . . — — Map (db m223789) HM
Notice the tree-covered slopes of the Gorge—they are not as they appear.
From here the solid forest cover from riverbottom to ridgetop all looks pretty much the same, but, a close look reveals great differences. The forest varies with slope, . . . — — Map (db m99980) HM
This walkway leads to views of the New River Bridge. An easily-accessible upper overlook provides a scenic view framed by trees. From there the walkway descends 200 feet down a steep stairway to a broad view of the bridge, gorge, and New River 600 . . . — — Map (db m99993) HM
What is so special here? Why did the United States Congress in 1978 add New River Gorge to America’s system of National Parks? Because at New River Gorge National River there is:
(Inscriptions under the images-left to right, top to bottom) *An . . . — — Map (db m99975) HM
Site of largest mine disaster in Fayette County history. On 2 March 1915, coal dust in Layland #3 ignited, killing 112 men; 42 of 53 survivors were rescued 6 March, one mile inside 10th left section behind barricade they built. — — Map (db m140484) HM
Sandstone formation at 2510 feet is landmark known for view of Sewell Mt. range to SE. Known as "Rock of Eyes" by Native Americans and dubbed "Spy Rock" by Civil War soldiers. Sept. 1861, Gen. J.D. Cox and 5,000 Union soldiers camped here to oppose . . . — — Map (db m34430) HM
Born in slavery in Monroe Co., Sept. 7, 1848, he worked as servant in the Confederate army. Served as teacher and ordained Baptist minister; estab. West Virginia Enterprise, Pioneer, & Mountain Eagle papers; later a lawyer. First . . . — — Map (db m34413) HM
Fayette County
Formed in 1831 from Nicholas, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan. Named for General Lafayette. On New River, 1671, Batts and Fallam officially claimed Mississippi Valley for Great Britain in opposition to the claim of France. . . . — — Map (db m76931) HM
Settled before the Revolution by Levi Morris, whose father, William Morris, made the first permanent settlement in the Great Kanawha Valley. Named Coal Valley in 1879. Renamed when incorporated in 1891 for James C. Montgomery. — — Map (db m138010) HM
Settled before the Revolution by Levi Morris, whose father, William Morris, made the first permanent settlement in the Great Kanawha Valley. Named Coal Valley in 1879. Renamed when incorporated in 1891 for James C. Montgomery. — — Map (db m138013) HM
State institution established in 1895 as Preparatory Branch of West Virginia University. In 1931, name was changed to New River State College. Became a multipurpose college in 1941, known as West Virginia Institute of Technology. — — Map (db m76933) HM
With railroads came thousands of workers looking to make a new life in the coalfields. In the late 1800’s and well into the mid-1900’s, many Appalachian miners lived in company towns called “Coal Camps”.
Mine operators built . . . — — Map (db m34443) HM
1913-Union organizer Mary "Mother" Jones imprisoned in Pratt.
1913-Approximate location of the striking miners tent colony that was fired on by mine guards wielding a machine gun mounted on the "Bull Moose" special train
1919-7 miners are . . . — — Map (db m34438) HM
Soon after settlers arrived in Paint Creek, the landscape and population changed forever with the discovery of coal. Within just a few years, mines began operating at Paint Creek under the ownership of New York businessman William Henry Greene. . . . — — Map (db m34436) HM
As the community of Mount Hope developed with the coal interests during the early 20th century, it emerged as one of the premier commercial and industrial centers of the New River coalfields, serving a steady customer base of both workers and . . . — — Map (db m179359) HM
Unlike nearby Kilsyth, most of the housing within Mount Hope was constructed without formal company planning. One Exception, however, was a cluster of 14 identical houses developed by the Mount Hope Coal Company on the outskirts of the community . . . — — Map (db m179365) HM
An African American high school
formed in 1917, it educated black
Fayette County children until 1956.
Students were taught in community
buildings and churches, 1950-1954,
after the school was destroyed by
fire. The second DuBois High . . . — — Map (db m140445) HM
A cadre of excellent teachers sharing and imparting values produced students with interests and community endeavors, fundraising, and contributions to projects throughout the world.
Leadership – Principals
see photo
. . . — — Map (db m161345) HM
With the birth of the Coal Industry, Mount Hope would play a very important role.
During Mount Hope's early history, settlers began removing coal from a seam on the side of a mountain. Commercial mining of coal had been in effect since the . . . — — Map (db m161343) HM
Native Americans used the area of Sugar. Dunloup, and Mill Creeks for hunting until Virginia's Governor purchased land south of the Kanawha River in 1770. Raids continued until General Anthony Waynes won a decisive victory in Ohio in 1794 securing . . . — — Map (db m161340) HM
Many structures built during the coal boom remain throughout the town of Mount Hope showing the business and industrial center that Mount Hope once was.
The stone bank building that survived the fire of 1910 and the New River Coal Company office . . . — — Map (db m161338) HM
By 1872 there were only three families, that of C.C. Brown, the Warner's and the McGinnis’ living in the area now known as Mount Hope. They built a one room wooden schoolhouse replacing the first school held in the Blake Ian kitchen and in a tenant . . . — — Map (db m161276) HM
In memory of our local loyal defenders who offered their lives in the cuase of world democracy, 1914–1918.
White Roy Arnold • Wm. M. Armentrout • Robert Archer •Edward Brock •Albert S. Bradley • Clarence Bailey • Lonard Boggess • Lake . . . — — Map (db m179276) WM
Nallen. Wilderness Lumber Co. camp, named
for John I. Nallen, manager, circa 1916.
John Bayes family settled in 1825
later by James Miller, who had ferry
across Meadow R. Served by Sewell
Valley, later NF&G connection to
C&O RR. . . . — — Map (db m138102) HM
The legendary Hank Williams recorded 30 hit singles,
including seven number-one hits, on the Billboard Top Ten
country-western charts in six years. However, his erratic
behavior caused by a mixture of alcohol and narcotics
caused WSM’s Grand . . . — — Map (db m179221) HM
On 1 January 1953 in Oak Hill, West Virginia, Hank Williams Sr. made his last stop on his last tour. This memorial is dedicated by his fans who wish to keep his memory and music alive forever. — — Map (db m179255) HM
Built in 1903 by the White Oak Railway Company, the depot is one of the oldest surviving structures in the community. It was leased by the Virginian Railway Company in 1912, then purchased in 1922, and is the only extant Virginian depot in West . . . — — Map (db m143111) HM
White Oak Fuel Company built the Oakwood Mine Complex in 1902. In 1915, 21 miners died when gas in the mine exploded. A year later, the original wooden tipple was upgraded to a multi-story steel structure. New River Company ran the mine after . . . — — Map (db m76691) HM
Fayette County. Formed in 1831 from Nicholas,
Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan.
Named for General Lafayette.
On New River, 1671, Batts
and Fallam officially claimed
Mississippi Valley for Great
Britain in opposition to the
claim of France.
. . . — — Map (db m140483) HM
In 1870 the Quinnimont Charter Oak and Iron Company built an iron furnace on Laurel Creek, which operated for three
years. The main line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was completed through the gorge in the spring of 1873, and by
fall the . . . — — Map (db m165223) HM
Near here, at highest point on
the Midland Trail, Gen. Robert
E. Lee had headquarters during
his campaign in West Virginia
in 1861. His famous war horse
“Traveler,” was brought to him
here from the Andrew Johnston
farm in . . . — — Map (db m164702) HM
From August to October 1861, about
17,000 Union and Confederate troops
operated near the Sewell Mountain
area. Waiting for a major battle
that never came, many soldiers died
of disease caused by foul weather.
Excessive rainfall hampered . . . — — Map (db m138110) HM
Southwest is the Old Stone
House, built, 1824, by Richard
Tyree on the James River and
Kanawha Turnpike. It was visited by Jackson, Clay, Webster,
Benton, and other notables.
Here Matthew Fontaine Maury
wrote his book on navigation. — — Map (db m138108) HM
Camp Prince, or Army Camp as it was known
locally, was a site operated by the 1428th
Engineer Float Bridge Company. It opened
around 1950 as a training and testing ground
for the quick assembly of temporary floating
bridges. These bridges . . . — — Map (db m161180) HM
The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway mainline was Thurmond's main street, the
core of this town's identity. As one of the busiest centers of activity in this region of coal commerce, Thurmond was the only place in a 73-mile stretch where . . . — — Map (db m165257) HM
Thurmond ran from the river's edge up the hill. Homes dotted the hillside. Large businesses (like Hotel Thurmond and Armour Meat Company) along with small shops
(a jeweler, shoemaker, barber, and others) served the needs of residents and . . . — — Map (db m165248) HM
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