HIGHLIGHTS

Historic Log Home and Farm on South Mill Creek in Wild and Wonderful Pendleton County, West Virginia. This historic log home is situated on 83.5 acres of beautiful farmland. The restored home includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and ample space to enjoy country life. Featuring central heat and AC, year-round comfort is everyday living. The house has four fireplaces with outstanding stonework. Purportedly the original log structure dates to 1790. The farm was recently operated as a poultry farm until closing a few years ago.

OVERVIEW

Pendleton County (pop. 7,695) has long been counted among the most dramatically beautiful counties in West Virginia. With an elevation of 4,863′, Spruce Knob is the highest mountain in West Virginia and the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains. Franklin is the county seat, and this property is a 70-minute drive from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

UPPER TRACT

Upper Tract is an unincorporated community in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The community lies along U.S. Highway 220 at the confluence of Reeds Creek and the South Branch Potomac River. The community took its name from a nearby 18th-century pioneer settlement. Two local structures — the Cunningham-Hevener House and the Pendleton County Poor Farm — are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 83.5 surveyed acres of multi-use farm and home
• 3649 Square foot +/- restored hand-hewn log two story home
• Presently no zoning in Pendleton County
• Situated in both Pendleton and Grant Counties
• Public water
• Central heat and AC in the log home via Heil systems
• Outside wood furnace by Central Boiler and is a dual system
• Two backup generators
• Excellent access from the state-maintained road
• Inactive farm that building can be repurposed or used as original
• Outstanding 40 X 60 in-ground, saltwater swimming pool with diving board and slide.
• 5 Acres +/- (both in Pendleton and Grant Counties)
• Wonderful South Mill Creek, a blue line stream, runs through the property
• South Mill Creek Lake, operated by the DNR, Is within walking distance
• 2 Historic detached two-story hand-hewn log storage buildings
• 12 Inactive 400-foot-long broiler houses, including seven with concrete floors
• Two open-air 40′ X 100′ multi-purpose sheds with concrete floors
• Metal workshop- 30′ x 52′ with 14-foot ceilings, electric with floored upstairs for storage uses, and more
• Two generator sheds-12′ x 20′
• Two water treatment buildings
• The property’s survey plat is on record at the courthouse
• South Mill Creek, a year-round stream, flows through the farm
• Excellent access with extensive frontage on year-round state-maintained roads
• Fed Ex and UPS delivery
• Curbside trash pickup
• Electricity is on the property.
• Landline phone service is in current use
• Dark skies with little light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• Perfect location to access water sports activities supported by the region’s lakes and rivers
• Small-town amenities are available in nearby Franklin and Petersburg
• Large city amenities are available in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a 70-minute drive
• Three-hour drive to Washington DC
• Fur-bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, and opossum are native to the valley
• Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, kingfishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds.
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be quickly developed
• Cell phone coverage varies depending on the carrier
• All mineral rights in the title will convey
• Conveyance will be by Special Warranty deed
• Watershed (HUC8): South Branch Potomac (2070001)

THE HISTORIC LOG HOME

According to public tax records, the original log home was constructed circa 1790, when Virginian George Washington served as president.

We believe this portion is the front section towards the county road. Several additions of other vintage cabins have been assembled to include approximately 3649 square feet of living space. The home’s logs appear to be oak, poplar, and pine. The logs are all dovetail corners and are hand-hewn vintage from the late 1700s into the mid-1800s. The origins of the additional log homes are unknown at this time; however, it is typical for such a building to be disassembled and moved from the local area.

The home features four beautiful stone fireplaces and two stone chimneys. Currently, the fireplaces are used for burning propane gas.

Expert craftsmen have assembled the log home to make an outstanding home, lodge, or Airbnb destination.

ENTRY LEVEL

The entry-level of the home features large, inviting covered porches on the front, mid-section, kitchen, and northern sides. These porches are designed to allure you to enjoy the beautiful rustic countryside of Wild and Wonderful Pendleton and Grant Counties. As you enter the home from the front covered porch, you step back in time to the frontier days by entering a large open great room with a large stone fireplace and with hearth.

The flooring in this room is vintage wide plank heart pine flooring. The windows are six over six panes. The room is illuminated by natural window light and by two hanging fixtures.

From the Great Room, one of the two doorways leads to the central foyer with fifteen feet tall height to the second story. Here in the foyer is a beautiful easy-step staircase with a simple vintage design and carved walnut newel posts. The stair treads are vintage pine boards. The foyer features an entrance door from one of the four covered porches. From the foyer, access to a large utility room can be entered straight head. The foyer has a hallway closet for storage and is in a modern 200-amp breaker box.

The laundry room includes a stainless-steel multi-purpose sink, a Maytag, and an LG washer and dryer. The laundry room has an entry door to the smallest of the four covered exterior covered porches. The laundry room features vintage wide plank heart pine walls and a textured finished ceiling.

Between the laundry room and study is a bath with a shower stall. The study is an open room with contemporary pine shelves and cabinets as you pass through the study doorway, which leads into an enclosed L-shaped sunroom filled with abundant natural light. The sunroom features tile floors. From this room is a large “family room,” or what has been used as a working farm office that features hand-hewn log walls with hardwood oak flooring. This room includes a supplemental electric stove for heating.

Also, downstairs, located off the foyer and beside the kitchen, is a bonus room with sliding patio doors to the back-covered porch looking at the swimming pool. The bonus room features a full-size custom-built solid oak offset cabinet on one wall with large glass doors sitting over a lower section over drawers with raised panel doors lower storage space.

The kitchen undoubtedly is one of the highlights of the home. The kitchen is large and open with an island and has two entry doors from each side. The kitchen has a large working propane gas stone fireplace that adjoins the eat-in primitive-style farm table and benches. The ceiling is vintage exposed white pine beaded edge beams. The flooring is oak hardwood. The island and the L shape wall counters feature a mauve color solid surface. The kitchen includes ample solid oak cabinetry for storage on both side walls. The island unit features a Jenn- Air electric four-eye stove and lower oven unit. The kitchen is equipped with a Kitchen Aid stainless front automatic dishwasher. Also serving the kitchen is a side-by-side refrigerator with an ice and water door unit.

Entry Level Room Dimensions:

Kitchen 23 x 16.9 – ceiling height 8.5
Bonus room with sliding doors 17 x 10.3 – ceiling height 6.5
Foyer 16.1 x 11 – ceiling height 15.5
Foyer closet 2.9 x 6.3
Great room 19.2 x 26.6 – ceiling height 7.8
Laundry room 18 x 10.6 – ceiling height 7.5
Bath with shower stall 6.5 x 5.5
Library study 14 x 15.7 – ceiling height 8.6
Sunroom 8 x 16.5 x 17.9 x 7.3 – ceiling height 7.3
Family room/farm office 24 x 16.9 – ceiling height 8.2

UPSTAIRS

The upstairs of the home features five bedrooms, including the primary bedroom. All bedrooms have oversized closets, which were not typical for most cabins as the county in the early days charged property taxes for closets; thus, many early dwellings used armories and wardrobes. Also, upstairs is a full bath and a half bath. The full bath is located near the entrance to the primary bedroom.

The primary bedroom has a stone fireplace that currently burns propane gas. The primary bedroom has extra wide vintage heart pine floors. This room is also equipped with a window-model air conditioner. The ceiling in the primary bedroom has vintage exposed pine beams.

Upstairs Room Dimensions:

Primary bedroom 22.5 x 16.6 – ceiling height 6.8
Full bath 8 x 8 – ceiling height 7
Hallway 26 x 10.7 – ceiling height 7
End hallway 11.3 x 3.3 – ceiling height 7
Bedroom 2) 14.2 x 13.3 – ceiling height 6.8
Bedroom 3) 10.7 x 13.2 – ceiling height 7
Bedroom 4) 11 x 11.5 – ceiling height 6.5
Bedroom 5) 12.8 x 15.9 – ceiling height 6.6
Center foyer 8.5 x 7.6 – ceiling height 6.7
Half bath 7.8 x 6.6 – ceiling height 6.5

ATTIC

The attic section is bridged to cover both main areas of the home. The attic houses a Heil furnace unit and has board floors to utilize for lots of extra storage.

BASEMENT

The partial basement is accessed inside the home and has a walkout on the northern end of the home. The basement includes a canned goods room with shelving space for hundreds of jars. Also, a mechanical room with the Heil propane boiler heat system and the hot water circulating lines for the outside wood stove. The largest room in the basement is heated and partially finished and includes an impressive stone fireplace.

Basement Room Dimensions:

Den 34 x 15.8 – ceiling height 7.9
Hallway 4.1 x 16.2 – ceiling height 7.6
Furnace/utility room 9.1 x 8.6 – ceiling height 7.6
Canning room 9 x 5 – ceiling height 7.6

PORCHES

The log home is blessed with multiple inviting covered porches.

• Covered front porch 23 x 7
• Covered L-shaped porch at the east side of kitchen 21.6 x 6 x 10.6 x 6
• Covered back porch 34 x 8
• Covered Porch from Laundry room 19 x 6.5

ROOF

The entire roof of the home is covered with metal roofing.

HEATING

The home has multiple heat sources. The primary heat source currently in use is from a Heil boiler system located in the partial basement with multiple registers throughout the house. The home can also utilize the four fireplaces for heat.

The home has also been heated with an outdoor wood stove made by Central Boiler. The stove is a Classic line dual-fuel stove. The stove’s manufacture date is December 2008; the model number is CL7260. The Central Boiler stove is also set up to provide hot water to the home.

COOLING

The home is equipped with two recent models of Heil air conditioners. The larger Heil unit is 20.8 RLA, and the unit date of manufacture is March 2020.

The smaller Heil, air conditioner unit, is 13.6 RLA, and the date of manufacture is May 2020

SWIMMING POOL

The modern saltwater swimming pool is approx.—40 ft x 60 ft. The pool has a concrete apron surrounding the entire pool. The pool includes a diving board and a slide. The type of liner is currently unknown, and the pool is covered for the winter season. The filter system is a Hayward Pro Series high-rate sand filter.

TWO HISTORIC SMALLER LOG CABINS

Two vintage log cabins are located on the back side of the home. These historic cabins are rustic and are currently used for storage. The two-story cabin closest to the pool is 17 ft. X 17 ft. The other cabin is also two stories and measures 16 ft. X 18 ft. Both cabins have metal roofs. These two cabins could be restored to make wonderful rental lodging cabins.

TWO-STORY BUILDING WITH ROOT CELLAR

A two-story lap-sided metal roof storage building and a root cellar are located on the house’s northern end. The upstairs has been recently updated on the interior. The root cellar is in nice condition and provides an excellent cool storage area for canned goods and a potato bin.

Size 16 ft. X 18 ft.

WOODSHED

A four-section woodshed with a sloped metal roof is located near the outside wood stove. The building is used for wood and storage of other miscellaneous items.

Size 46 ft. x 18 ft.

WORKSHOP

A 30 ft. X 52 ft. modern metal workshop with double sliding doors. The workshop has a concrete floor, and the building is large enough to store and service multiple tractors and implements. The open-span building offers approx.—14 feet of ceiling height. The garage can be retrofitted to have propane heat. An underground electric service is in place. The workshop includes a large-capacity air compressor and workbenches, and storage cabinets. The upstairs is utilized for additional storage space.

BRIDGE

Access to the barns and sheds across South Mill Creek is currently limited to foot travel due to the bridge being washed out. Repair options vary, but a rail car bridge might be an effective and quick option as a crossing option. Buyers are encouraged to contact the West Virginia DNR concerning crossing the creek.

BARNS

Twelve four hundred feet long inactive broiler houses, including seven with concrete pads, could be repurposed in many creative ways. Beyond poultry farming, the sky is the limit for other uses. Mushroom farming, game birds, storage for autos, boats, and more

SHEDS

The Grant County side has two open-air 40′ x 100′ sheds with concrete floors.

Two backup generators sheds-12 x 20 and two water treatment buildings

GENERATORS

The farm is equipped with two huge backup generators. GENERATOR A is across South Mill Creek in a separate building is an F. G. Wilson Engineering diesel generator, serial number X3470B/001 Type P200ESP, with 940 hours showing, serviced by DynaTech.

GENERATOR B is located on the Pendleton County side of the farm. This diesel unit is a Maxi-Power Continuous Stand-by model serviced by DynaTech.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.842370°(N), -79.177361°(W)
Address: 12850 South Mill Creek Road, Upper Tract, WV 26866
Elevation Range: 1288 ft. to 1580 ft. +/-

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

Approximately twenty acres, more or less, is estimated to be forest land. No estimate of species or value has been conducted at this time.

WILDLIFE

Many animals live year-round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the area’s lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks, and streams, including raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canadian geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bullfrogs, eagles, hawks, and redwing blackbirds. The area’s diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the creek, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between adjoined fields, utility easements, streams, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, whitetail deer, black bears, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, and many species of songbirds, owls, and raptors make up the region’s resident wildlife population. The nearby hardwood forests provide an essential nutrient source and produce 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.

WATER

South Mill Creek, a blue line stream, flows through the property for about 4/10 miles. A supporting blue line stream flows into and on the property for about 1/10 mile as it joins into South Mill Creek. The streams should have regular water flow for most of the year, especially during rain events and snow melt periods.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. A title search for mineral rights ownership has not been conducted. 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 as the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

A survey plat of the property is recorded as Pendleton County Deed Book 129, Page 171. A portion of the southeastern boundary runs with South Mill Creek Road, a state road. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acres.

UTILITIES

Water: Public
Sewer: Septic System
Electricity: Mon Power aka First Energy
Telephone: Landline is available
Internet: Possibly Frontier Communications, Hughes Net and Starx
Cellphone Coverage: Spotty with US Cellular

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The southeastern boundary of the property fronts on South Mill Creek Road for 2/10 miles is a state road. The county line crosses the road within that frontage. The Pendleton County section of the road is Route 1, while the Grant County section is Route 9.

ZONING

All prospective buyers should consult the Pendleton County and Grant County governments, county commissions, and Health Departments for details regarding the division of land, land use, zoning, building codes, installation of water wells and septic systems, and other related items.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property consists of the home grounds, some forestland, and areas of former farming activities.

(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

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.

Some specific examples of crops which could possibly be cultivated:

• 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)

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

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

Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from the stream and drilled water wells (hand drawing water from the wells using a cylinder well bucket).

The creek and forest would provide fresh food (fish, deer, and turkey).

The cleared land could be used for agricultural crops to be used to raise livestock of all kinds (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 firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, basket splints, shingles, furniture, maple syrup, and pounds of nuts (walnuts, acorns, beechnuts, and hickory nuts).

RIPARIAN ZONE

In earlier times, before the environmental and societal values of riparian zones were discovered, the riparian zone was commonly called a “swamp”. These enchanting areas are biologically rich and wildlife diverse, being akin to the world’s largest swamps found in the Florida Everglades and the Amazon River Basin. The mighty wetland works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary benefits like clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, hunting, and yes—recreation for everyone young and old.

These areas are the best of both worlds. Here you can watch for deer, squirrels, raccoons, and turkeys while exploring for butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, songbirds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

These areas are a very productive part of our environment; more productive of vegetation, in fact, than some agricultural soils. This vegetation serves important purposes.  It shelters and feeds many wildlife species that cannot survive elsewhere. Almost 35 percent of all rare and endangered species depend, in some way, on wetlands. More common wetland species provide enjoyment to many by serving educational, research and recreational needs. Waterfowl and many furbearers such as beaver, mink and muskrat provide both consumptive and no consumptive recreation and are dependent on wetlands. Many fringe wetlands provide the food that young fish need to survive. By slowing the flow of water, wetlands help keep banks from eroding and they trap and settle suspended silt before it smothers fish eggs and covers the insects and other animals that fish eat.

Riparian zones add visual diversity to everyone’s lives. The walking trail that skirts and crosses the wetlands offers an opportunity to see many different plant and wildlife species seen nowhere else on the property. This habitat walk is a relaxing and rewarding experience.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 214 Pg. 334
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Acreage: 83.5 acres, more or less

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Pendleton County (36), West Virginia
Mill Run District (5)
Tax Map 4 Parcel 12.1; Class 2

2022 Real Estate Taxes: $7354.26

Pendleton County Officials – Telephone Numbers
Assessor  304-358-2563
Circuit Clerk  304-358-7067
Commission  304-358-7573
County Clerk   304-358-2505
Prosecuting Attorney 304-358-2208
Sheriff  304-358-7573
Coordinator  304-358-7573

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public Elementary School:
Franklin Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Pendleton County Middle School

Public High School:
Pendleton County High School

THE LOCAL AREA

Pendleton County History
Pendleton County was created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly adopted on December 4, 1787, and effective as of May 1, 1788, from parts of Augusta, Harding, and Rockingham counties (Virginia). It was named in honor of Edmund Pendleton (1721-1803). He was born in Caroline County, Virginia, on September 9, 1721. After studying the law, he was admitted to the bar in 1744. In 1751, he was appointed a justice of the peace for Caroline County and, from 1752 to 1774, served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. He served as President of the Virginia Convention of 1774 and represented Virginia in the Continental Congress of 1774-1775. In 1776, he returned to the now-renamed Virginia House of Delegates and was elected its first speaker. Later that year, he joined George Wythe and Thomas Jefferson in a three-year effort to rewrite Virginia’s legal code. In March 1777, he fell from his horse and severely injured his hip, forcing him to use crutches for the rest of his life. His disability did not prevent him from continuing his public service. After resting over the winter, he returned to his speaker’s duties that spring and continued to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates until 1788, when he was appointed to the newly-created Virginia High Court of Chancery. In 1788, he also served as President of the Virginia Convention of 1788, which ratified the U.S. Constitution. He also received an appointment to the federal court system that year, but he declined the offer. In 1789, he was named President of the now-renamed Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. He served in the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals until his death in Richmond, Virginia, on October 23, 1803.

Pendleton County’s European Pioneers and Settlers

John Van Meter was probably the first European to set foot in the county. In 1725, he accompanied a group of Delaware warriors to attack the Catawba Indians. During their travels, they crossed through present-day Hardy County and southern Grant County and were ambushed by a group of Catawba warriors near present-day Franklin, in Pendleton County. He escaped and returned to his home in New York. His son, Isaac Van Meter, played an essential role in the settlement of Hardy County.

When George Washington passed through the northern portion of the county in 1748, he noted that about 200 people were living in the area, with most of the settlers living to the north of the present county’s boundaries. At that time, Robert Green, of Culpeper, along with James Wood and William Russell, had purchased rights to almost all of present-day Pendleton County. It is believed that in 1745 Abraham Burner was the first European to build a cabin within the future site of Pendleton County. His cabin was located about half a mile south of present-day Brandywine.

In 1747, six families in the Moorefield area purchased legal title to 1,860 acres in present-day Pendleton County for 61 pounds and 6 shillings ($230.33) from Robert Green. They were the families of Roger Dryer, his son William and his son-in-law, Matthew Patton; John Patton, Jr.; John Smith; and William Stephenson. No records indicate if they relocated to the county that year or the next, but given the relatively short distance from Moorefield, they probably moved to the county in 1747.

Important Events in Pendleton County during the 1700s and 1800s

By the mid-1750s, about 40 families, or 200 people, lived in present-day Pendleton County. In 1756, Seybert’s Fort, named for Captain Jacob Seybert of Pendleton County and located about 12 miles west of Franklin, was built by the settlers as a place of refuge during Indian uprisings. On April 28, 1758, with about 30 settlers, mostly women and children, gathered inside, the Fort was attacked by about 40 Shawnee Indians led by Chief Killbuck. The Indians surrounded the Fort, and after two days of siege, Captain Seybert agreed to surrender the Fort to the Indians in exchange for their safe passage out of the area. Unfortunately, when the Fort’s gates were opened, the settlers were taken captive. While the Indians were setting the Fort on fire, a Mr. Robinson escaped. The Indians then marched their captives about a quarter of a mile, separated them into two rows, and seated them on logs. The captives in one of the rows were spared. The others, including Captain Seybert, were tomahawked to death. The 11 remaining captives were taken to the Shawnee Indian village at Chillicothe, Ohio. Five of the captives, including Captain Seybert’s son, Nicholas, later escaped revealing what had happened at the Fort.

Many of present-day Pendleton County’s earliest settlers left the county during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Following the war, settlers began to return, and by 1790, when the first national census was taken, Pendleton County had 2,452 residents.

Most of Pendleton County’s residents sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War, though there were pockets of support for the Union. In 1861, the Franklin Guards, a group of approximately 140 men, were formed and attached to the Confederacy’s 25th Regiment. During the course of the war, many more joined the Confederate Army. Also, a smaller number joined the Home Guards, commonly known as the Swamp Dragons, who served as an auxiliary force for the Union Army.

FRANKLIN, The County Seat
Franklin, West Virginia, is the county seat of Pendleton County and was chartered in 1794 and named for Francis Evick, one of its first settlers. Franklin was formerly known as Frankford. The town overlooks the South Branch of the Potomac River. Central to an area of vast forest land, the Monongahela National Forest approaches Franklin from the northwest, and the westward flanks of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests are located six miles to the east of the community.

Franklin is located at the junction of highways US-33 and US-220, approximately 30 miles south of Petersburg, West Virginia, 40 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and 60 miles southwest of Elkins, West Virginia.

The most popular festivals in Franklin are the Treasure Mountain Festival, which takes place annually on the third weekend in September, and the annual Trout Fest in May. Both attract visitors from surrounding counties and states.

SHOPPING
Most everything needed daily can be found in the quaint town of Franklin, including groceries, hometown restaurants, dollar stores, hardware, attorneys, dental, medical, fuel, automotive repair and sales, lodging, convenience stores, banks, accountants, auto parts, pharmacy, funeral home, schools, churches and more.

RECREATION IN PENDLETON COUNTY
The Region offers so many activities throughout the year. Outstanding hunting and fishing in the beautiful mountains and the cold-water streams attract sports enthusiasts near and far. With beautiful rivers, excellent trails, and awe-inspiring views, Pendleton County is home to numerous world-class recreational activities. With options for cycling, hiking, golf, rock climbing, spelunking, horseback riding, and historical exploration, Pendleton County has something for everyone.

Pendleton County is home to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Also, Seneca Rocks, an iconic natural landmark, and two National Forests, Monongahela and George Washington, are in Pendleton County.

South Mill Creek Lake (within walking distance or a short drive)
South Mill Creek Lake is in Grant County. The maximum depth of South Mill Creek Lake is approximately thirty-three feet. The property is owned by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

South Mill Creek Lake presents angling opportunities for the following species: Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Trout.
Trout Stocking Information: once in February and once every two weeks in March thru May.

South Mill Creek is subject to special fishing regulations. Those regulations are:
A. All black bass (smallmouth, spotted, and largemouth) from 12 to 16 inches long must be returned to the water at once.
B. All black bass harvested must be in accordance with the daily creel limit regulation.
Fishing with minnows is not permitted. Night fishing is permitted.
Amenities:
Camping Information: No camping access.
Boating Information: electric motors only

Allegheny Front
The Allegheny Front is the lofty eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains, an extraordinary escarpment that follows the trend of the Appalachian Mountains northwest to southeast across the northeastern U.S. The highest part of the front is at Spruce Knob, at 4,862 feet above sea level, also the highest point in West Virginia. Much of the front is alpine and features wind-flagged spruce that bear the brunt of winter gales that sweep the highlands.

Germany Valley
The Germany Valley is a scenic upland valley originally settled by German farmers in the mid-18th century. It is noted for its extensive caves, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. The National Park Service cited it as “one of the largest cove or intermountain karst areas in the country, unique because all the groundwater recharge and solution activities are linked with precipitation within the cove.”

Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks are among the most photographed natural landmarks in West Virginia—a towering blade of sandstone thrust more than 800 feet above the valley of the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River.

The rocks are one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the eastern U.S. More than 375 mapped climbing routes ascend the rocks.

The U.S. Forest Service maintains a visitor center at its base.

Smoke Hole Canyon
Renowned for its dramatic landscapes of rock and forest, the Smoke Hole is a 20-mile-long gorge carved by the South Branch of the Potomac River. It is an isolated region with many reaches accessible only by boat or foot. The Nature Conservancy defines it as one of the most biologically rich places in the East, especially as regards its rare plant communities. Some old-timers called the canyon “Smoke Holes” and claimed Native Americans used caves therein for smoking meat.

Dolly Sods
One of the most dramatic landscapes in the eastern U.S., Dolly Sods is a region of highland bogs and crags that follow the Allegheny Front along Pendelton county’s western edge. Like many other areas along the front, the sods are renowned for their forests of windblown spruce and scenic views eastward across Pendleton County to Shenandoah Mountain.

The Sods is a popular destination for hikers and photographers.

Shenandoah Mountain
Shenandoah Mountain forms the eastern border of West Virginia and Pendleton County and is named for the beautiful Shenandoah River, which sources along its Virginian flanks. Its name in Algonquian may mean “beautiful daughter of the stars.” Rising to 4,387 feet at Reddish Knob, the mountain forms the backdrop for much of the county and is excited in height only by the west’s Allegheny Front at Spruce Knob.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Department, located in Upper Tract, West Virginia, provides fire protection and emergency response services to the Upper Tract community. The Fire Department’s mission is to prevent the loss of life and property. In addition to responding to fires, the Uppertract Volunteer Fire Department also responds to medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, rescue calls, and incidents involving hazardous materials. The farm is located approx 8.7 miles from the fire department.

POLICE

Law enforcement is provided by the Pendleton and Grant Sheriff’s Departments and by the West Virginia State Police.

EMS

Pendleton County Emergency Rescue was established in 1976 to provide services for the region.

HEALTHCARE

Pendleton Community Care has Franklin, Riverton, and Harman, West Virginia offices. They provide family medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, well visits, immunizations, flu shots, physicals, CDL physicals, diabetic eye exams, nutrition counseling, lab, x-ray, mammography, and EKGs available on site.

Grant Memorial Hospital offers a range of health care and medical services. It serves Grant, Hardy, and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. The hospital is a 55-plus-bed facility that maintains a staff of more than 350 employees. Grant Memorial Hospital provides nursing, family practice, emergency medicine, and orthopedic solutions. It offers dentistry, pediatric care, internal medicine, and surgery services. The hospital provides medical solutions in the areas of oncology, ophthalmology, and anesthesiology. Grant Memorial Hospital maintains the Hardy County Health and Wellness Center, which offers various membership options and conducts individual training sessions. The hospital’s women’s wellness center administers a variety of exercise programs.

VETERANS MEDICAL

West Virginia has VA Hospitals in Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Beckley, and Huntington. Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are in Franklin, Petersburg, Parsons, West Virginia, and Harrisonburg, Virginia.

CLIMATE IN PENDLETON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

Pendleton County, West Virginia, gets forty-two inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is thirty-eight inches of rain per year.

Pendleton County averages forty-eight inches of snow per year. The US average is twenty-eight inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 151 sunny days per year in Pendleton County. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Pendleton County gets precipitation, on average, 131 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted, you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 82 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is eighteen
Rain: averages forty-two inches of rain a year
Snow: averages forty-eight inches of snow a year

CLIMATE IN GRANT COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

Grant County, West Virginia, gets forty-five inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is thirty-eight inches of rain per year.

Grant County averages eighty inches of snow per year. The US average is twenty-eight inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 151 sunny days per year in Grant County. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Grant County gets precipitation, on average, 149 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted, you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 81 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is eighteen
Rain: averages forty-five inches of rain a year
Snow: averages eighty inches of snow a year

POTOMAC BRANCHES REGION

The Potomac Branches Region of eastern West Virginia is drained by the Potomac River and its tributaries, including the South Branch and Cacapon, which have carved long, fertile valleys in their descent from the highlands. The region is renowned for pastoral landscapes and towering rock formations, which include Seneca Rocks, Nelson Rocks, and countless cliffs that draw climbers from across the globe. Hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting are popular pastimes. The Jefferson, George Washington, and Monongahela national forests protect much of the southern region. Well-preserved historical communities are located throughout. Tourism and agriculture are primary industries.

The Potomac Branches Region includes Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Mineral, and Pendleton counties. The region roughly corresponds to the eastern half of the Potomac Highlands travel region of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

The east-west Appalachian Corridor-H expressway is under construction through the central region and, when completed, will provide a high-speed route between I-79 at Weston, West Virginia, in the west, and I-81 at Front Royal, Virginia, in the east. Highways US-50 and US-33 travel across the region from east to west, and highway US-220 traverses the region from north to south. Interstate 68 nears the region at its northernmost point near Cumberland, Maryland.