OVERVIEW

Few other construction materials are as quintessentially West Virginian as log. Its first homes were raised of timbers hewn deep in the Appalachian forest, and many grand residences are now being built of logs assembled with revolutionary new construction methods.

But perhaps no other log home in West Virginia is as exemplary as that fashioned by Dr. M. Lee Goddard on the banks of the Greenbrier River. Here, where the mountains open into the bluegrass pastures of the Greenbrier Valley, on a wooded level above a shimmering pool, the professor built a masterpiece.

Goddard and his father over a period of 20 years spent countless days collecting brick, stone, timber, and other traditional building materials, which they used to create a landmark home like no other. Hand-hewn timbers from six ancient homes were dismantled and painstakingly refitted to bring into being a residence that accommodates soaring spaces without forsaking the home-spun intimacy for which log cabins are cherished.

Inside the home, handmade brick, cut stone, ironwork and antique furniture and fixtures of the late 18th and early 19th centuries uniquely compliment the structure while heightening the traditional character of its construction.

Only the highest quality material was employed in building the home and fashioning the landscape that completes the estate. Goddard secured uncompromising artists and craftsmen to create one of the most durable structures possible — a legacy built to remain for hundreds more years.

LOCATION

911 Address: 247 Coffman Hill Road, Ronceverte, WV 24970

UTILITIES

Electric service: MonPower
Internet and telephone: Can be provided by Frontier
Cell phone coverage: Very good
Television service: Can be provided by Frontier, DirectTV, Dish Network or HughesNet
Trash: Curbside
Water: City
Sewer: Septic system

ZONING

The county is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes and installation of septic systems.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Deed Book 465, Pages 192 and 190
Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Deed Acreage: 1.92 acre +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Irish Corner District

TM 4S Parcel 3
2016 Real Estate Taxes: $447.20

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The Goddard Log Home is located in Ronceverte, West Virginia, and is more than just beautiful real estate as it comes with a great community known for its friendly residents and laid-back lifestyle. Ronceverte is French for “Bramble Green”, which is the Gallic equivalent for “Greenbrier”. The Greenbrier River is still inseparable from the culture of the town itself, considered one of the earliest significant river ports in the Greenbrier River watershed.

The Greenbrier Valley is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying. A year round live theater, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg.

In 2011, Lewisburg was named Coolest Small Town in America and is just a 5 minutes’ drive to complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The airport, with the longest runway in the state is just 10 minutes away and has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC.

Lewisburg is also the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to 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, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

For the water enthusiast, the Greenbrier River is the last un-dammed river east of the Mississippi and offers a great float/canoe/kayak experience. The fishing for small mouth bass is considered excellent. The Greenbrier River trail is an 86-mile rails to trails system and offers exceptional hiking and biking opportunities along the scenic Greenbrier River.

Within an 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 a 2 hour drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 10,600 acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour fifteen minute drive.

The world renowned Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 15 minutes’ drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100 + mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest untamed (unblocked) river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail trail which runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with the majority of the important cities in the watershed being established riverports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.

The Greenbrier is formed at Durbin in northern Pocahontas County by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River, both of which are short streams rising at elevations exceeding 3,300 feet and flowing for their entire lengths in northern Pocahontas County. From Durbin the Greenbrier flows generally south-southwest through Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Summers Counties, past several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton, where it flows into the New River.

Along most of its course, the Greenbrier accommodated the celebrated Indian warpath known as the Seneca Trail (Great Indian Warpath). From the vicinity of present-day White Sulphur Springs the Trail followed Anthony’s Creek down to the Greenbrier near the present Pocahontas-Greenbrier County line. It then ascended the River to the vicinity of Hillsboro and Droop Mountain and made its way through present Pocahontas County by way of future Marlinton, Indian Draft Run, and Edray.