Asa Gray. Asa Gray, famous Harvard botanist, discovered plants new to science as he crossed Cheat Mountain by way of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, August 1843. He was one of the original 50 named to New York Hall of Fame.
. . . — — Map (db m82232) HM
Near County Route 250/4 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250.
"Our tents were pitched on a rocky point with a fine forest on every side and a magnificent view of the Alleghenies on front of us, a beautiful romantic, though desolate spot." - William Houghton, 14th Indiana Infantry, July 16, 1861 . . . — — Map (db m259959) HM
Near County Route 250/4 1.1 miles west of Route 250.
Union soldiers built the main earthworks here to provide defense. They made the embankment by forming a crib with spruce logs. The crib was then filled with earth and stone.
Such a fortification would provide protection from rifle and artillery . . . — — Map (db m58241) HM
Near County Route 250/4 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250.
This area is where troops were quartered. Most cabins within the earthworks were lumber structures with bark roofs. These measured roughly 40 feet by 20 feet and were extremely crowed at times. The circular mounds usually represent collapsed . . . — — Map (db m58249) HM
On U.S. 250 at County Route 250/4, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 250.
Also called Fort Milroy. Fortified camp in gap at the crest of White Top of Cheat Mountain. Occupied by Federal troops during fall and winter of 1861-1862; repulsed threats in Lee's mountain campaign of 1861. Fort's command of the . . . — — Map (db m46328) HM
On County Route 250/4 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west.
Cheat Summit Fort, also called “Fort Milroy,” was constructed by Federal troops in the summer of 1861. The fort was positioned to control the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. Initial work was conducted by six companies of the 14th Indiana Infantry . . . — — Map (db m58239) HM
Near White Top Road (County Route 245) 1.1 miles west of U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west.
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 . . . — — Map (db m259958) HM
On County Route 250/4 0.5 miles west of U.S. 250, on the left when traveling west.
Mountaintop Watershed
Near this point the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike crossed the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, going over Cheat Mountain at a high point of almost 4000 feet at White Top. The Shavers Fork forms a high elevation . . . — — Map (db m58251) HM
