ABOUT BLUESTONE COUNTRY ESTATE

Bluestone Country Estate is a gem located just minutes from all that is the New River Gorge recreational mecca.  Within a short drive is America’s newest National Park – the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Perched on top a hill, with views for miles, is this stunning custom built home. Luxury in the West Virginia mountains is best defined here with the impeccably placed custom 6,764 +/- sqft home situate on 2.44 +/- acres (additional acreage up to 180 +/- less acres can be purchased).  This exquisite brick home offers 7 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, large open living area, gas fireplace, Appalachian red oak floors, and a central whole-home vacuum system.  You will find a very well-appointed kitchen, stainless-steel appliances, conduction cooktop, double ovens, and custom Maple wood cabinetry.  The main-floor Master suite offers a generous and spacious bedroom with wood floors, large 4-piece bathroom with jetted tub, and walk-in closet.

Bluestone Country Estate gives the feeling of being remote in the mountains, yet 15 minutes from everything you need in town with pavement the entire way from your driveway.  Enter into the park-like setting along a paved private drive lined by Appalachian hardwoods.  This secluded property has every amenity you need to enjoy outdoor country living.  The house sits far back off the road, overlooking nearby ridges and valleys, and is surrounded by towering oaks and white pine.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.643651°(N), -80.934804°(W)
Address: 1667 Leatherwood Road, Nimitz, WV 25978
Elevation: 2300 ft. +/-

Proximity to area recreational opportunities:
15 minutes to three rivers and a lake: Greenbrier River, Bluestone River, New River, and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake
15 minutes to the Bluestone Lake
15 minutes to the BWMA
20 minutes to Pipestem State Park main entrance
20 minutes to Willow Wood Country Club and Golf Course
30 minutes to Glade Springs Resort
30 minutes to Three Rivers Avian Center
30 minutes to Winterplace Ski Resort
35 minutes to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Visitors Center, Sandstone
45 minutes to Camp Creek State Park and Forest
1 hour 23 minutes to Hatfield-McCoy ATV Pinnacle Creek Trailhead near Mullens (54 miles)
1 hour 23 minutes to Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail near Pineville (54 miles)

HIGHLIGHTS

• 6,764 square feet +/- custom built modern country estate home
• 2.44 +/- deeded acres (additional acreage up to 180 +/- may be purchased)
• 7 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths with a total of 17 rooms
• Three Trane electric heat pumps, zoned for main and upper floors
• 15 minutes to three rivers and a lake: Greenbrier River, Bluestone River, New River, and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts
• 26’ x 25’ basement garage
• 26’ x 26’ attached 2-car garage
• One of Summers County’s most beautiful country estates
• Survey is on file
• 15 minutes to historic Hinton
• An easy 35 minutes’ drive to Raleigh County Memorial Airport, and an hour’s drive to Lewisburg’s jet airport
• A rewarding permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Superior access by state maintained paved roads – FedEx, UPS and USPS delivery
• Cell phone coverage is excellent in most areas with 4G service
• Paved private driveway
• Darkest of skies with little light pollution for star-planet gazing & astrophotography
• Located in peaceful Summers County, West Virginia
• Spectacular long-range views across the New River Valley and distant East River Mountain Range
• Perfect for recreational activities including shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Low taxes, low population density
• Scenic, cultural, and historic values of Bluestone Country Estate provide exceptional quality of life values

THE HOME AT BLUESTONE COUNTRY ESTATE

HOME HIGHLIGHTS 

• Custom built in 2010
• 1 ½ -story custom home with partially finished living area in basement
• 6,800 +/- sq. ft.
• Large covered front and back porches
• Exterior: brick and vinyl siding
• Roof:  architectural shingles (50-year)
• Foundation: 8″ or thicker concrete walls
• Heating – Air Conditioning: electric heat pump and outdoor wood burner
• Open concept design
• Large kitchen with custom cabinetry and granite countertops
• Large kitchen island
• Kitchen breakfast nook
• Formal dining room
• Flooring: hardwood and ceramic tile
• Walls: drywall
• Beautiful oak trim throughout
• First floor large master bedroom
• Large 4-piece master bath with jetted tub and soapstone countertop
• Partially finished basement with three rooms and bath
• Additional storage in unfinished attic
• Main floor sq. ft. = 2,772 +/-
• Upper floor sq. ft. = 1,220 +/-
• Lower level partially finished = 2,772 +/-
• Total rooms = 15
• 7 bedrooms
• 4 full baths; 1- ½ bath
• Appliances to convey = Double wall oven (1 is convection), smooth conduction cooktop, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, dryer, washer
• Two-car attached garage
• Covered front and back porches
• Paved driveway
• Long distant mountain views

Room Dimensions: (+/-)

Main Floor:

• Living Room = 14’ x 11’7”
• Family Room = 22’ x 20.8’
• Dining Room = 12’ x 14’
• Kitchen = 22’ x 14’
• Breakfast Nook = 9’11” x 11’9”
• Laundry = 14’ x 9’
• Master Bedroom = 17’9” x 18’8”
• Master Bath = 18’ x 10’5” + two 4’ x 7’ walk in closets
• Bedroom 2 = 11’6” x 12’6”
• Bedroom 3 = 12’ x 14’
• Jack & Jill Bath = 5’1” x 14’
• ½ Bath = 5’3” x 7’2”
• Foyer = 8’ x 12’

Upper Floor:

• Bedroom 4 = 26’9” x 16’
• Bedroom 5 = 38’9” x 16’ + dormers
• Bath = 13’7” x 5’7”

Basement:

• Bedroom 6 = 15’6” x 17’10”
• Bedroom 7 = 18’ x 15’8”
• Bathroom = 9’8” x 9’8”
• Canning Room = 11’6” x 16’
• Utility Room = 15’ x 11’3”
• TV Room = 36’ x 21’10”

Appliances:

Refrigerator and dishwasher – Kitchen Aid
Double wall oven (one convection) – Kitchen Aid
Cooktop – smooth surface (conduction) – Kitchen Aid
Microwave – General Electric
Washer and Dryer – Whirlpool Duet
Hot water tank 80-gallon electric – Whirlpool
Dehumidifier 4,000 sq. ft. – Home
Whole-home vacuum system – VacuMaid
Three electric heat pumps – Trane

Garages (2):

• Attached 2-car garage – 25’8” x 25’8”
• Basement 1-car garage – 26’4” x 25’3”
• Concrete floors

HOME CONSTRUCTION

• The home’s architectural design was created by Design House, Residential Designers, of Wiggins, Missouri. Local contractors, Dean and Gene Tabor, were selected as the general contractors for the construction of the home.
• Appalachian Hardwoods in Beckley supplied all trim oak.
• Custom built-in cabinets in family room are all oak.
• The high-quality maple kitchen cabinets were custom made by Hart Cabinets in MacArthur, WV.
• Custom-made painted popular cabinets in master bedroom with soapstone countertop.
• There is solid Appalachian Red Oak flooring, with the first floor having all clear, the best you can buy of the highest grade, and No. #1 grade or above on the upper floor.
• All the windows throughout the home are the top ranking, no maintenance, Pella brand, vinyl clad windows which tilt in/out for easy cleaning.
• Three Trane Heat pumps provide heating and cooling and are zoned. Zone #1 for the lower level-main level and Zone #2 for the upper level.
• Owens Corning insulation.
• Central-Boiler Classic outside Wood-Fired Hydronic Heater Model 6042.  Boiler heats hot water that then circulates through coils in the heat pump.
• One propane fireplace with remote.
• Ceramic tile for the bathrooms was sourced at Beckley, West Virginia.
• VacuMaid Central vacuum system with access to every room.

ROOF

50-year architectural shingles.

BRICK, CONCRETE & BLOCK

The striking exterior brick was sourced from Lexington, Virginia.  Concrete block looks like brick.

UTILITIES

Water: Public water – WV American Water Company
Sewer: private septic system
Electricity: onsite – buried underground- Mon Power
LP Gas:  Suburban Propane (buried propane tank)
Telephone: onsite – landline has been installed but phone service has been discontinued
Internet: Verizon Mi-Fi
Television:  DirecTV
Cellphone Coverage: excellent, depending on provider
Trash pickup: Southern Sanitation, Inc.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed in the year 2007 and a plat was prepared from that survey. The survey plat and the metes and bounds description are in the owners’ deed. The southern boundary of the property is with Leatherwood Road. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property fronts on Leatherwood Road Rt. 44/7 for a little over 1/10 mile. The driveway for the property connects directly to Leatherwood Road.

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 227 Pg. 500
Summers County, West Virginia

Acreage: 2.44 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Jumping Branch District (5)
Tax Map 15 Parcel 18.2; Class 2

2022 Total Real Estate Taxes: $1266.96

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Jumping Branch Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School

Public High School:
Summers County High School

College:
Concord University (nearby in Mercer County)

RECREATION AT BLUESTONE COUNTRY ESTATE

Bluestone Country Estate offers matchless recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the Greenbrier River, New River, and Bluestone Lake.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. The area’s wildlife management has been geared not to just game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Complete darkness can be still be found on areas of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby New River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The surrounding area is suitable for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding

Hunting is a first-class experience in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife.

WILDLIFE

The Greenbrier River and New River are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. The nearby aquatic plant life creates a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the area’s wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed and algae.

There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the nearby rivers and lake, including raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

There is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larvae.

The area’s diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the area’s abundant water supply, creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between farm fields, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

The hardwood forests provide the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

THE SURROUNDING BLUESTONE AREA

BLUESTONE LAKE

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia, is popular for its fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although the dam was started in 1941, its construction was delayed because of World War II, and it was not fully completed until 1952. The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level does change frequently. The Lake can grow to over 36 miles long at flood control pool. At higher levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia. The Lake’s Catchment Area is 4,565 square miles. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some of the species of fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass have set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is fantastic for enjoying all sorts of water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wake boarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game including white-tail deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

One great place to enjoy the lake is at Bluestone State Park. The park has ample accommodations for those who want to stay overnight. There are a variety of camp sites – or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TV’s, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can take a walk on the hiking trails, play in the swimming pool, or rent game equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.

In addition to all the fun activities on the lake, there’s plenty more to do in the surrounding area. There are several other parks nearby, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. You can experience some great whitewater on the New River. And the New River Gorge is well-known as a great place for rock climbing, with its many hard sandstone cliffs. If you want a break from outdoor activities, the nearby town of Hinton has many attractions. There are a variety of restaurants, shops and antique stores to browse, and museums to visit.

Historical and recreational interest located in the Bluestone area includes the outdoor musical dramas “Hatfields and McCoys” and others shows performed at Grandview Park, near Beckley. Pipestem Resort with its myriad recreational facilities is only nine miles to the south and the 80,000 acres New River Gorge National River Park, center of some of the state’s best whitewater rafting and canoeing plays an integral part of the area. Of special note are Sandstone Falls and the Visitor Center, just north of Hinton; and Bluestone National Wild and Scenic River, which flows into Bluestone Lake within the park boundaries.

BLUESTONE WMA – 18,109 ACRES 

The statewide Wildlife Management Program is designed to conserve and manage high quality habitats for a variety of wildlife species and to improve public access to these resources. West Virginia provides numerous opportunities to learn and appreciate the abundant wildlife.

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 18,109 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third largest body of water, the area offers guests boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. The section of the lake from just upstream of the Bluestone River to Bluestone Dam is in Bluestone State Park; the rest of the lake in West Virginia basin comprises Bluestone WMA.

Hunting is offered due to the wildlife management area status, and Bluestone has over 330 primitive campsites and picnic sites. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular.

Bicycles are permitted on main roads, day use areas and campground areas. Many of the roads leading to Wildlife Management area campgrounds are dirt roads which provide an experience similar to off-road bicycling.

BLUESTONE STATE PARK

Bluestone State Park was established in 1950 and is named after the Bluestone National Scenic River, which flows into the New River at the park. Bluestone State Park encompasses over 2,100 acres of rugged, heavily forested, mountainous terrain, and provides a variety of water-oriented activities for guests and residents of southern West Virginia. This park is five miles south of Hinton, WV.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a unit of the United States National Park Service (NPS) designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1978 as a national river, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles (85 km) from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. The park was officially named America’s 63rd national park, the U.S. government’s highest form of protection, in December of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a relief bill.

West Virginia is home to parts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a foot path that stretches more than 2,100 miles between Maine and Georgia; the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, which cuts through 16 states for 4,900 miles; the Bluestone National Scenic River; and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Now, over 70,000 acres of land, bordering 53 miles of the gorge, has earned the government’s protection.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out, and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast.

Home to the New River, which drops 750 feet over 66 miles, with its Class V rapids, has long drawn adventuresome rafters and kayakers to this whitewater area. The New River, which flows northward through low-cut canyons in the Appalachian Mountains, is actually one of the oldest rivers on the planet.

Rock climbing on the canyon walls, mountain biking and hiking on trails that flank the river, and wildlife viewing—bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, beavers, river otters, wild turkeys, brown bats, snakes, and black bears—are all popular activities within the park.

Begin your experience with a stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, which is situated on the edge of the gorge, for maps, current information, and chats with a park ranger. You can learn any pertinent safety protocols and visit the bookstore.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a work of structural art. Construction of the bridge began in 1974, and was completed in 1977. The Bridge spans 3,030 feet in length and is the third highest bridge in the U.S., at 876 ft. During Bridge Day, an annual one-day festival celebrating the construction of the Bridge, BASE jumpers launch off the 876-foot bridge and parachute down to the New River. New River Gorge is the only national park in the U.S. that permits this extreme activity.

NEW RIVER REGION OVERVIEW

The New River is shared by boaters, fisherman, campers, park visitors and local neighbors. The waters of the New River system contain a mosaic of hydrologic features and aquatic habitats that support a highly productive aquatic ecosystem that includes distinct populations of native fish, mussels, crayfish, and a broad array of other aquatic life, including rare amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The 320-mile New River rises in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and flows northeastward through the Appalachian uplands to Radford, Va., where it turns northwestward and passes through a series of narrow valleys and gorges into southern West Virginia. It ends where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. In WV, the New River is entrenched in a steep and narrow valley, the most narrow part of which is known as the “New River Gorge.”

In 1998, because of historical, economical, and cultural importance, President Clinton signed into law the New River as one of the very first American Heritage Rivers. Much of the river’s course through West Virginia was designated as the New River Gorge National River. In 2021, the area was designated as the United States’ newest National Park.

The New River is recognized as the “second oldest river in the world” and is estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. Its headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, NC, and is one of the few rivers in North America that flows northerly.

Class I, II, III, IV and V rapids dot the entire 320 miles of New River making it a great paddling, tubing, and white rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National Park includes 53 miles of free-flowing New River, beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake. The New River typifies big West Virginia style whitewater. Within the park it has two very different characters. The upper (southern) part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids up to Class III. It is a big powerful river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and providing excellent fishing and camping. There are a number of different river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days.

The lower (northern) section of river is often referred to as “the Lower Gorge.” In a state that is justifiably renowned for colossal rapids, the Lower Gorge has some of the biggest of the big with rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V. The rapids are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks.

Prior to the rise of the Appalachian Mountains, the New River cut its bed at a time when the land sloped to the northwest. Amazingly so, as the Appalachians gradually rose around the river, the New River wore away the bedrock at the same rate the mountains formed, leaving behind towering cliffs and prominences that hover hundreds of feet about the water level.

Accounts claim that Indians referred to the New River as the “river of death,” however this origin story is likely legend. Native Americans and early European settlers regarded the New and Kanawha rivers as being one single waterway. The name “New” may have been derived when the river upstream was discovered by European explorers as the first “new” river found flowing westward.

Native American Indians used the New River as they traveled west years before the pioneers arrived. In the 1600s explorers navigating the New River thought they were close to the Pacific Ocean because of its westerly flow.

In 1671 the Batts-Fallam expedition, by way of the New River, came through to the Lurich area and ended there because the Indian guides refused to take them any farther. They carved their initials in a tree and claimed the territory for King Charles II of England. This was the first proclamation of English territory west of the Alleghenies making the New River the first gateway into the west.

Fast water, big rocks and lazy/slow stretches are features of the New River. Water sports enthusiasts will find the New River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found in the New River with bass (largemouth, smallmouth and rock), flathead catfish, channel catfish, muskie, walleye and bluegill present in good numbers. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV.

The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880’s. The railroad opened up the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early “mountaineers” settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.

The gorge was practically impassible before completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, near Fayetteville, WV, in 1978. The river within its gorge is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern U.S. Much of the New between Hinton and Gauley Bridge is managed by the National Park Service as the New River Gorge National River.

Principal tributaries of the New in West Virginia include, from south to north, the East River, the Bluestone River, and the Greenbrier River.
Many former mining communities located on the New River in its gorge have since become ghost towns. These include Sewell, Nuttalburg, Kaymoor, Fayette, South Fayette, Hawks Nest, Cotton Hill, and Gauley, Beury and Claremont.

LOCAL COUNTY OVERVIEW

Historic Summers County
Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is a 10 minute drive. Hinton, founded in 1871, grew rapidly as the hub of a growing railroad industry serving the New River coal fields, passenger travel and coast to coast freight lines. Today, Hinton serves the growing tourist and technology industries.

Summers County (2014 population—13,417) is located in the southeastern region of West Virginia, scenically placed between the beautiful Greenbrier and New River Valleys.  The City of Hinton (2013 population—2,588) serves as the county seat and is the sole municipality within Summers County.  The railroad boom of the early 20th century helped to build Hinton and Summers County.  However, the county’s current economy is based primarily on tourism thanks to the Bluestone Dam and Lake along with the Bluestone, Greenbrier, and New Rivers which converge in Hinton.  Further, the New River Gorge National River begins at Hinton and flows northward into neighboring Fayette County.

Summers County is also home to Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort, and a number of other facilities that provide lodging, camping, and a variety of recreational activities.  The Hinton Railroad Museum, the Graham House, the Campbell Flanagan Murrell House, and other museums provide glimpses into the county’s history.  The architecture of buildings in Hinton’s nationally registered historic district is of interest to many.  A solid core of retail stores and professional service providers meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Residents of Summers County enjoy a wonderful small town, laid back quality of life.  Service clubs such as the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Ruritans support a number of community initiatives, school programs, and special events.  The Summers County Library supports the county school system and provides visitors with Internet access and other services. There are several denominations of churches in the area.

Summers County is served east-west by Interstate 64 and by north and south connections to Interstate 77.  The New River Parkway, when completed, will improve access to Sandstone Falls by upgrading River Road from I-64 near Exit 139 Sandstone into Hinton.  West Virginia Routes 3, 12, 19, 20, and 107 are the primary highways within the county.  Amtrak also provides an important transportation link to Summers County with its Cardinal line from New York to Washington DC to Chicago.  Stops are made three times per week to pick up and disembark passengers at Hinton’s historic Rail Depot.

The Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital provides a fully-staffed emergency room and a variety of medical services.  Summers County Emergency Services provides ambulance service.  Law enforcement is provided by the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, a detachment of the West Virginia State Police, the City of Hinton’s Police Department and park rangers with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.  Similarly, the City of Hinton has a new fully-manned and equipped fire station complemented by six other volunteer fire departments throughout the county.

Historic Greenbrier County
Lewisburg, (45-minute drive), which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in America, combining the warmth of a close community with the sophistication of more urban locations. The thriving downtown historic district offers year-round live productions presented at the State Professional Theatre of WV, Carnegie Hall, distinctive dining venues, antique shops, award-winning galleries/boutiques, a year-round farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

The county and city host several fairs & festivals throughout the year including The WV State Fair, a professional 4-weekend Renaissance Festival, Chocolate Festival, Taste of our Town Festival (TOOT), antique car shows, Jeep Rally’s, Airstream Rally, WV Barn Hunt Competition, and sometimes a PGA Tour @The Greenbrier,

Lewisburg is also home to the modern Robert. C Byrd Medical Clinic (300 employees), the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is home to the PGA tour, NFL Summer Practice Event, Tennis Exhibitions (Venus Williams, John McEnroe etc.). Several other area golf courses are available in the area – including Oakhurst Links, America’s first golf course, where guests play using old style hickory-handled clubs and ground-burrowing golf balls.

A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 5 hours away and Charlotte is only 3.

Within a two-hour’s drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley River, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem State Park and Resort and the 80,000-acre New River National Gorge National Park. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock-climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is 90-minute drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 12,000-acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour’s drive.