Big Poplar on Peters Mountain is a 20 acre +/- multi-use recreational, residential, timber investment property, located just 5 minutes from the Jefferson National Forest, with tons of activities.  In a peaceful and quiet Almost Heaven mountaintop getaway in Monroe County.   With riding trails for ATVI S or horseback, and beautiful rock out-croppings, it is a joy just to walk the property.  This property has ready to harvest timber to offset purchase and holding cost; however, the timber value has not yet been determined.  Big Poplar offers spectacular views of the mountain range, and a beautiful spring-fed small stream that runs through the property.  The open fields and the evidence of the old homestead that was used many years ago create the essence of the old homestead lifestyle.  Big Poplar on Peters Mountain represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next generation, as well as a great mountaintop retreat.

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• 20 +/- acres
• 5-minute drive to the Jefferson National Forest
• Minutes away from the Moncove Lake State Forest and Moncove Lake Wildlife Management Area
• Road frontage on Crowder Road, a state-maintained road
• Great hunting opportunity
• Perfect for recreational activities including hunting, shooting sports, hiking and nature viewing
• The Hanging Rock Observatory is only 5 miles away and a great place to view raptors, especially during migration periods
• The Sweet Springs Resort in Sweet Springs is just up Route 3. The main building was designed by Thomas Jefferson
• Surrounded by large farms in the valleys and timberlands on the mountain
• Accessed by state-maintained roads
• Darkest of skies with little light pollution for star-planet gazing & astrophotography
• Mostly flat terrain with elevations from : 2833 +/- to 2877 +/-
• Just 20 minutes to Union, the Monroe County Seat
• Timber species include beautiful oaks, poplar, white pine, maple and hickories
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Winged wildlife – eagles, hawks, owls, ravens, turkeys and Neotropical songbirds
• Low taxes, low population density
• Good cell phone coverage

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.547596°(N), -80.372506°(W)
Address: 2245 Crowder Road, Gap Mills, WV 24941
Elevation Range: 2,833′ +/- – 2,877′ +/-

Driving Times

Towns:
Alderson: 45 minutes
Athens and Concord University: 1 hour 25 minutes
Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 1 hour 20 minutes
Lewisburg and Osteopathic School of Medicine: 45 minutes
Peterstown: 50 minutes
Princeton: 1 hour 15 minutes
Union: 20 minutes

Airport:
Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg: 55 minutes

Recreation:
Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 1 hour 10 minutes
Bluestone State Park: 1 hour 10 minutes
Fountain Springs Golf Course: 50 minutes
Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem: 1 hour 20 minutes
State Fair of West Virginia, Fairlea: 45 minutes
Willow Wood Country Club Golf Course: 1 hour
Winterplace Ski Resort, Ghent: 1 hour 30 minutes

WILDLIFE

Big Poplar on Peters Mountain has an abundant Wildlife population, including wild turkey and bear, and the whitetail deer population is particularly impressive. The mixture of mature forest and emerging forest and abundant old farm fields, coupled with an abundant water supply, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The hardwood forest produces tons of acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts and black walnuts. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, fox and many species of songbirds and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

HUNTING

What a hunter’s paradise, or tremendous recreational property! Just minutes from the Jefferson National Forest, Big Poplar on Peters Mountain gives you a hunter’s dream spot.  Abundant deer, turkey and other wildlife, two small spring-fed streams running through the property, and old farm Fields, coupled with the abundance of Hickory White Oak, Red Oak, all create a habitat for the large and small game.  The year-round water source of the nearby stream created by the mountain springs and the surrounding aquatic plant life create a water supported community for a wide variety of wildlife.  Some of the margin of the creek supporting the Aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shores of the stream.  There are many animals that live in the water and around the edge of the spring-fed creek including raccoons, possums, Blue Heron, turtles, salamanders, crayfish, bullfrog, Eagles, Hawks and Red Wing Birds.  The property has a mixture of hardwood species, and the adverse tree species coupled with the abundant water supply from the creek creates a perfect wildlife habitat.  The edge effect created between the creeks, hollows, ridge, rock outcroppings, and forest is a textbook habitat, benefiting all of the resident wildlife.  The hardwood forest provides an essential nutrients source and produces tons of hardwood mask including Acrons, Hickory nuts, Beechnut, black walnut.  Soft Mass includes sage horn, black cherry, tulip Poplar seeds, MapIe seeds, Autumn olive berries and blackberries.

TIMBER RESOURCES

The timber on Big Poplar on Peters Mountain adds a great deal of value to this property with its abundant hardwood timber resource which is a composite of high-quality Appalachian Hardwood and its huge poplar trees.  This well-maintained timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership. Capital Timber value of the timber and pulpwood has not yet been determined. The forest has predominantly well-drained upland terrain which has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species compensation is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of black walnut, sugar maple, Poplar, Basswood, Red Oak groups, White Oak and Chestnut Oak, Soft Maple, Hickory, and a host of associated species.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. All rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property is accessed by both Crowder Road Rt. 20 and “Sawmill Road”.

UTILITIES

Water: Well will need to be drilled
Sewer: Private septic would need to be installed
Electricity:  On property
Telephone: Available nearby
Internet:  Available nearby through Frontier or satellite provider such as Starlink or HughesNet
Cellphone Coverage: good

ZONING

There is currently no county zoning in Monroe County. All prospective purchasers are encouraged to contact the Monroe County Health Department for answers regarding installation of septic systems and water wells. Further information on county zoning may be answered by contacting the Monroe County Commission.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

Big Poplar on Peters Mountain is the perfect property for a permanent residence, vacation home, and a hunting/recreation retreat.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information:  Deed Book 263 at page 237
Monroe County, West Virginia
Acreage: 20 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Monroe County (32), West Virginia
Sweet Springs District (6)

Tax Map 30 Parcel 18

2024 Real Estate Taxes: $258.08

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Monroe County School District

Public Elementary School:
Mountain View

Public Middle School:
Mountain View

Public High School:
James Monroe High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Lewisburg campus)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Private Schools:
Greenbrier Episcopal School (PK-8)
Greenbrier Valley Academy (2-8)
Lewisburg Baptist Academy (PK-12)
Renick Christian School (2-7)
Seneca Trail Christian Academy (PK-12)

THE SURROUNDING AREA

SWEET SPRINGS RESORT

Sweet Springs Resort is located just a few miles northeast of the property and founded in 1792.  Once known as Old Sweet Springs, this historic resort hotel is currently undergoing renovation by the nonprofit Sweet Springs Resort Park Foundation. The property enjoys notoriety for its natural hot spring.

The area is well known for the healing waters of the numerous “Sulphur Springs”. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s, several “Sulphur Springs Resorts” flourished in the area. Most notably and still in existence are White Sulphur Springs, Warm Springs and, Hot Springs. Others included, Salt Sulphur Springs, Blue Sulphur Springs, Red Sulphur Springs, Green Sulphur Springs, Pence Springs and, Sweet Chalybeate Springs.

During the height of wealthy families’ summer treks to the Virginia springs resorts—from roughly 1800 until the Civil War—one popular circuit encompassed “the fountains most strongly impregnated with minerals, heat, fashion, and fame,” according to one chronicler. For those arriving from eastern Virginia and points northeast, the circuit started at Warm Springs northeast of Lewisburg, in the Allegheny Mountains. From there, it ran south and west to the Hot, the White Sulphur, the Sweet, the Salt Sulphur, and the Red Sulphur, then back in the opposite direction.

The waters of Sweet Springs were asserted to assist aged persons, free from organic disease, would “find youth and vigor and elasticity at the bottom of this noble fountain,” and with a daily plunge could live to the “fabled age of the crow.”  It was cautiously recommended the Sweet Springs be used for certain cases of uterine functions, dyspepsia, and nephritic affections.

MONROE COUNTY

Big Poplar on Peters Mountain is located near the charming village Gap Mills and Union is less than a 15-minute drive, which is the Monroe County seat. Banking, healthcare facilities, drugstore, grocery, hardware, auto parts and farm supply are readily available in nearby Union. There are no fast food restaurants but there are the local restaurants that are great places to meet friends and enjoy a great home cooked meal.

Some of the friendliest people in West Virginia can be found in Monroe County. With a population of about 13,000 residents and Monroe County does not have a stoplight and has more cattle and sheep than people. Monroe County is a special area with interesting folks, both “born and raised” and newer members from many different states. People from all walks of life reside in harmony in this lovely pastoral setting. Located east of Union, near Gap Mills, the parcel offers those from urban areas the opportunity for a rural retreat well within a half days drive to Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC.

Shortly after Monroe County was created, James Alexander offered 25 acres of land, including a lot for a courthouse which in time became the town of Union. On January 6, 1800, the Virginia Assembly passed an act creating the town of Union. The Monroe County Historical Society preserves several historic structures in the town, including the Caperton Law Office, Owen Neel House, Clark-Wisemen House, Ames Clair Hall, and the Old Baptist Church. The Union Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

The village of Gap Mills is 2 minutes from the property.  The community has developed local made bakery, cheese and furniture stores.  The name of the community is a portmanteau of the natural pass, or “gap” in the adjacent Gap Mountain.  Fort Henry commander Abraham Wood sent the first recorded English expedition to reach the area in 1671.

Other notable figures from the community were: Col. Andrew S. Rowan of Spanish American War fame was a native of this community. First Lieut. Percy Pharr of the World War and W. J. Humphrey, Physicist of the Meteorological Bureau, Washington, D. C., were born in Gap Mills village. L. R. Neel, manager of Middle Tenn. Experiment Station was born and reared one mile from the village of Gap Mills.

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON and JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST

Big Poplar on Peters Mountain is within minutes of the vast George Washington- Jefferson National Forest.

The George Washington & Jefferson National Forest contains over 1,061,000 acres.  In 1995, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests were administratively combined to form one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. They cover 1.8 million acres of land in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Approximately 1 million acres of the forest are remote and undeveloped, and 139,461 acres have been designated as wilderness areas, which eliminates future development.

The National Forests are traversed by the Blue Ridge Parkway and are located within eight major river basins: the Potomac, James, Roanoke, New, Big Sandy, Holston, Cumberland, and Clinch Rivers. Average discharge of surface water from National Forest lands is estimated to be 2.2 million acre feet.

The Forests contain 2,340 miles of perennial streams, of which over 1,000 miles are trout waters. There are 82 reservoirs within or immediately downstream from the National Forests, 16 of which are used for municipal water supply. Lake Moomaw is among the largest reservoir (2530 acres) providing flood control, water quality control, and recreation opportunities.

MONCOVE LAKE STATE PARK

Moncove Lake State Park offers a peaceful setting for families to enjoy the outdoors. The park is a popular destination for outdoor social gatherings, quiet strolls, camping and water recreation. This 250-acre park contains a larger, 500-acre wildlife management area. Located in the hills of the southeastern edge of the state, near Union in Monroe County, the park offers many opportunities for fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, birdwatching and hiking.

The Moncove Lake area was established in 1960, following the damming of Devil Creek in eastern Monroe County. The lake was built as part of the Moncove Lake Hunting and Fishing Area. In 1991, 250 acres were set aside as a state park. The remainder of the land continues to be managed as a wildlife management area. The park has since been expanded to 896 acres. The park sits on the shores of 144-acre Moncove Lake, and underneath the flyway of the Fall Hawk migration.

Moncove Lake State Park’s campground includes 48 tent and trailer sites, 25 of which have electric hookups. There are picnic tables and fire rings with grill surfaces, drinking water, a dump station and a central bathhouse with showers. Firewood is available for purchase upon your arrival. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31.

Three picnic shelters are available to reserve, fully equipped with grills and tables. Playgrounds, restroom facilities, and a swimming pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day will make your gathering complete!

More than 160 species of birds have been seen around Moncove Lake. The area is a birding hot spot due to nearby Peter’s Mountain and the ridge-and-valley section of the Appalachian Mountains. These ridges act as funnels for birds migrating in the fall and present excellent chances to glimpse birds that are considered rare or unusual for this region. On Peter’s Mountain during peak days in September, Broad Winged hawks are counted by the hundreds, and migrating hawks of nearly every eastern species and numerous songbirds can be seen throughout the month of September and into October. Witness the annual migration of birds of prey as they travel the eastern flyway passing through Monroe County, WV. Migration typically begins in early September through October, however, late September usually brings the most sightings.

GREENBRIER VALLEY

Historic Lewisburg is located just 35 minutes to the North with all the charm of a small town and all the amenities of a larger city. Designated the “Coolest Small Town in America”, fine dining, arts and entertainment flourish in the Lewisburg area while “big box” stores like Walmart and Lowes are also available along with the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and other medical services.

Lewisburg is also home to Carnegie Hall, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine, a community college, and is the county seat for Greenbrier County. The Greenbrier Valley Airport with daily flights to Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, DC is located just outside of Lewisburg. The world famous Greenbrier Resort is 1 hour drive and Snowshoe Ski Resort is within a 2 hour drive as well.

Within an hour to two hour drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Snowshoe Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the Greenbrier, New River and Gauley River, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, 919,000 acre Monongahela National Forest and the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park and Preserve. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock-climbing opportunities.

The Greenbrier County Airport, which has WV’s longest runway, is located just 30 minutes away and has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. The world famous Greenbrier Resort is less than an hour’s drive and Snowshoe Ski Resort is about 2 hours’ drive. Covington, Virginia is about 50 minutes awan, Roanoke, Virginia, is 90 minutes, DC is 4 hours and Charlotte, North Carolina is 3 hours away.

The Greenbrier resort features an ever-expanding schedule of public events.  In 2014, the resort recently opened a new $30 million training facility for the professional and collegiate football teams.  A 2500-seat tennis stadium to host professional matches was opened in 2015.