Chessie Forest is a 80 +/- acre multi-use timber investment, recreational and residential property located just minutes from the 3000-acre Summersville Lake, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake,  New River, Winter Place Ski Resort, and the 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 80 +/- acres of very gently laying land with easy access
• $80,000 estimated commercial timber value – timber is  ready for immediate harvest producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs
• Perfect size for creating a wonderful country estate – private but not remote
• Exceptional home sites and forest trails to hike, bike & ATV
• 10 min to the Green Sulphur exit on I-64
• Small town amenities available in Meadow Bridge 5 minutes away
• Jet airport with service to Chicago, Dulles, Orlando just 45 minute’s drive to Lewisburg & Beckley
• Stunning hardwood forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar and Maple
• Modern schools nearby with county school bus service
• Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River 3000-acre Summersville Lake and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake
• 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park nearby
• City amenities are 45 minutes to Beckley and Lewisburg
• 90 minutes to Charleston, the State Capitol and WV’s largest metro area and jet service
• Amazing resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of  life giving oxygen
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Cell phone coverage is good with 4G service
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• The 80 +/- acres offers ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• An easy drive to higher population areas of Charleston, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and 4 major interstates
• Surrounded by timber tracts and cattle farms in a nice rural neighborhood
• Boone and Crockett country
• All mineral rights in title will convey
• Elevations run from 2456 ft. to 2698 ft.
• Low taxes, low population density
• Outdoor Drive In Theater (very cool!)

LOCATION

Chessie Forest is located in Fayette County, WV near Lewisburg, Beckley, Rainelle and the unincorporated communities of Meadow Bridge, Sandstone, Dawson and Sam Black Church.

Google Coordinates: 37.871402°(N), -80.842692°(W)
Address: Sewell Creek Road RT 20, Meadow Bridge, WV 25976.  No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2456 ft. to 2698 ft. +/-

This 80 +/- acre timberland investment-recreational opportunity is located in the scenic, mountainous region of southeastern West Virginia. The surrounding Fayette County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny & Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Fayette County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

Chessie Forest, represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure. Terrain is unusually gentle for the region and is considered level to slightly rolling.

THE AREA

Chessie Forest is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg.

Meadow Bridge is a 5 minute’s drive and offers some small-town amenities including a Dollar General Store, Medical Clinic, Restaurant, Hair Salon and a Barber Shop. Meadow Bridge is also home to one of the last remaining outdoor Drive-In theaters in WV. The high school, middle school and elementary school is located in Meadow Bridge.

Nearby Beckley & Lewisburg offer grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware, hospital, dentists and most other city amenities. Beckley is the Raleigh County Seat and Lewisburg is the Fayette County seat and they are the economic and governmental hub of those counties.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol (90 min). Charleston is West Virginia’s largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000. It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley (45 min), has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All city amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-80 +/-, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing and snow skiing.

Highlights:

• 30-60 min to Beckley, Princeton, Lewisburg, 80,000 acre New River Gorge National Park, 2,000 acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort and Bluestone State Park, Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort and the 4-Star Fayette Resort
• A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton or White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations
• Washington, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte 3 hours
• Charleston, Beckley, Lewisburg airports offer jet service to main hubs
• Charleston, the state capitol, is 1.5 hours’ drive and offers all large city amenities
• Easy access to I-64, I-80 +/-, I-79, US 460, US 19
• The Bechtel Summit Reserve, the12,000 acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp (60 min)
• The 14,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is just up river at Bull Falls

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The abundant timber resource is estimated to have some $80,000 in ready to harvest standing timber. The resource is well positioned for current and future timber income as well as value appreciation over the coming decades. The timber has not been harvested in several decades.  With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber amenity represents a strong component of value to the investor.

The 80+/- acre forest has trees in the 50 – 150 year old range. The forest resource is composed of upland Appalachian hardwoods and wetland hardwood species. The species composition consists primarily of White Oak, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Sourwood, Black Walnut, Locust, Black Gum, Beech, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam).

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and old field edges. These ancient trees, some estimated at 200 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering flood, ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses. There may be a few fruit trees scattered about, which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts are produced each. Honeybees will do very well here.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

Currently, all the land is in forest. If the land were to be cleared, it would be suitable for row crops such as corn, oats, wheat, pumpkins, hay and all kinds of vegetables. A fruit orchard would also flourish here.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 418 Pg. 342, subject to railroad right-of-way
Fayette County, West Virginia

Acreage: 80 +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Fayette County (10), West Virginia
New Haven District (1)
Tax Map 128 Parcel 70; 80 50/ MEADOW CREEK; Class 3

2020 Real Estate Taxes: $474.74

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The deeds in the chain of title to the property have a metes and bounds description.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Electric: On site
Water: Water well could be drilled or develop a spring
Sewer: No public sewer system available. A residential septic system could be installed.
Landline Telephone: Unknown if on site
Cell phone Coverage: Good in most places with 4G
Internet: Hardwire is not on site.  Satellite, Cellphone hotspot, 4G-possibly
LP Gas: Available locally for delivery
Television: Direct TV, Dish

ZONING

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

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property is accessed by a short distance of travel on a private road off RT 20.

WATER

The property has about ½ mile of frontage on Laurel Branch, a blue line stream, that should have water flow all year long.

MINERAL RESOURCES

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

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property currently is mature forestland.

DIRECTIONS

Located just outside of the town of Meadow Bridge, WV

From Meadow Bridge, WV:  1.6 miles +/- (approximately 5 minutes)

From the Post Office in Meadow Bridge, drive RT 20 North 1.6 miles until you see Gwinns Siding Road on the left; just passed Gwinns Siding Road, take a private gravel road to the right just before a white house; travel down the hill, cross the creek, cross the railroad tracks, and the property begins on the right.

Only 10 minutes to I-64 Green Sulphur Meadow Bridge Exit 143
35 minutes to Beckley
20 minutes to Babcock State Park
30 minutes to Bluestone Lake
45 minutes to Summersville and Summersville Lake

RECREATION

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the nearby Fayette River, New River, New River Gorge National River Park, 3000 acre Summersville Lake and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby  New River and Bluestone Lake ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found for small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

Nature viewing is next in line of recreational activities. Wildlife viewing is not just for larger animals. Equal consideration is given to a diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, eagles and hawks. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, geese, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

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

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

• Paintball-Airsoft-Laser Tag-Archery tag
• Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays
• Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
• Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
• 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports
The property is perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. Riders are welcome to ride all public roads that do not have a painted dividing line and there are miles and miles of open roads in the area. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The land may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding and the area offers several state and national parks geared for these activities.

WILDLIFE

The nearby New River, Greenbrier River, Summersville Lake, and Bluestone Lake are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the rivers/lake, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

The miles of “edge effect” benefit all the resident wildlife. In addition to those listed above, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, fox, chipmunk, and many species of songbirds make up the resident wildlife population.

Of equal importance, there is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, hellgrammites, tadpoles and various insect larve.

Great fishing is found in the Greenbrier River New River and Bluestone Lake with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

The rivers, lake, and creeks, and their surrounding aquatic plant life, create a water a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Much of their margins are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize their shores. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, bee balm and algae.

The hardwood forest of the surrounding mountains provides 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.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without on-grid electricity.

• Solar or wind power could provide an endless supply of off grid electricity
• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from the drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket)
• Deer and turkey can supply fresh meat
• Raise chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits etc.) and could be farmed with horse drawn equipment. The land would support vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles
• The forest would provide lumber for building, firewood for heating and cooking and pounds of walnuts

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Here are some specific examples of possible crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

The property is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area and is 20 minutes to the New River, 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and 35 minutes to the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton. 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 New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.

3000 ACRE SUMMERSVILLE LAKE

Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make the 3000 acre Summersville Lake a unique place to visit. West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline.

Boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing for large- and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, (trout are stocked below the dam in the spring and fall) scuba diving, picnicking, hunting, and biking are the favorite activities enjoyed by nearly one million visitors annually.

Technical rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available year round, with scheduled whitewater releases below the dam on the world class Gauley River in September and October. Adjacent to the lake is Mountain Lake Campground with cabins, camping & RV hookups and many other conveniences for guests. Sarge’s Dive Shop and the lake’s marina are located on the lake with grocery stores, restaurants, and service stations located nearby in Summersville.

SCHOOLS

Fayette County School District

Public Elementary School:
Meadow Bridge Elementary School

Public Middle Schools:
Fayetteville PK-8

Public High Schools:
Midland Trail High School

Public College:
Fayette Institute of Technology