HIGHLIGHTS

• Commercially valuable timber ready for harvest and immediate cash flow
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150+ years old
• All mineral rights the owner has will convey
• Rich and diverse resident wildlife population
• Twenty minutes to historic Union, Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs and an easy drive to Roanoke’s jet airport
• Lewisburg Airport, just a twenty minute drive and provides jet service to Chicago and Dulles
• Twenty minutes to the world renowned 4-star Greenbrier Resort
• Dedicated forest trails wind through the property providing access to nearly every area
• Wildlife program enhances habitat, promotes diversity, promotes health of the resident wildlife developed
• Surrounded by farms and timber tracts in a nice rural neighborhood
• Superior access by state maintained paved roads – FedEx, UPS and USPS delivery
• Cell phone coverage is excellent on  the ridges and poorer in the  hollows with 5G service
• Darkest of skies with little light pollution for star-planet gazing & astrophotography
• Second Creek, stocked with trout, is nearby
• Timber species include oaks, black walnut, poplar, maple, white pine, and hickories
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Winged wildlife – eagles, hawks, owls, ravens, turkeys and Neotropical songbirds
• Ideal for recreational activities including shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Low taxes, low population density

DIRECTIONS

From Lewisburg, WV:  9.8 miles (approximate 20 minutes)

From the intersection of US 60 and US 219 in Lewisburg; travel US 60 East for 3.3 miles to the Marathon Station in Caldwell; turn right just beside the Marathon Station onto Rt. 63 West; travel 4.1 miles; turn left onto Childers Road; travel 2 miles; entering Monroe County continue onto Hollywood Road (called Hollywood Road on Google Maps, while 911 address system calls this Jones Mountain Road); travel 3/10 mile; the small section of road frontage for the property is on the left.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.697292°(N), -80.421206°(W)
Address: Jones Mountain Road, Caldwell, WV 24925. No 911 specific address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2282 ft. to 2513 ft. +/-

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 219 Pg. 310 less conveyances
Monroe County, West Virginia
Acreage: 97 acres +/- as residue

Real Estate Tax ID/Taxes:
Monroe County (32), West Virginia
Second Creek District (4)
Tax Map 4 Parcel 1; Class 3
2025 Real Estate Taxes: $239.18

BUTTERFLIES

The property is an exceptional habitat for all butterflies, especially the Monarch. The monarch is highly dependent on the milkweed plant and will always return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs upon the plant. The milkweed they feed on as caterpillars is actually a poisonous toxin and is stored in their bodies. This is what makes the monarch butterfly taste so terrible to predators.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The abundant timber resource, consisting of about 97 acres, is well positioned for current timber income as well as value appreciation over the coming 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 property’s forest resource is composed of quality Appalachian hardwoods. This timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and could be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation. Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood has not been determined at this time but is considered substantial.

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting of Black Walnut, Sugar Maple, Poplar/Basswood, Red Oak , White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Soft Maple, Hickory, and a host of associated species ( birch, sourwood, black gum, beech).

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultural legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent.

The property’s timber component has been well managed over the years and consists of stands of differing age classes. The predominant timber stand contains 60-120-year-old stems ranging in size of 10”-30” dbh.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock.

A few “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and old field edges. These ancient trees, some 150+ years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer, which has inundated the entire Northeast US, is present and the Ash component has disappeared. The Eastern Hemlock species is affected by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and will continue to decline. There have been no forest fires in recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

Honeybees would do well here, and it would be possible to produce maple syrup from the sugar and red maple trees growing on the property.

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 crops in each category that are currently being 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)

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

The property is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and capturing Carbon.  Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. The vigorously growing forest is sequestering thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing thousands of tons of Oxygen as well.

WILDLIFE

The mixture of mature hardwoods, white pine, and abundant water create the perfect wildlife habitat. The “edge effect” created between, the forest, streams, and neighboring farm fields is textbook habitat for the resident wildlife. The edges create long wildlife food plots.

The hardwood trees produce tons of hard mast including acorns, black walnuts, hickory nuts, and beech nuts. As importantly is the supply of soft mast consisting of pokeweed berries, blackberries, wild strawberries, hawthorn berries, dogwood berries, wild cherries, locust pods, sumac berries, Black Gum berries, blackhaw berries, and more. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, squirrel, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls, and raptors make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife, due in part, as there has been little hunting pressure for many years.

The streams are a major contributor to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. The streams create a water supported community with a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The creeks create a food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the banks. The associated plant life includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, bee balm and algae.

There are many animals that live in the water and around the edges of the creek including raccoons, opossums, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrat, bull frogs, and redwing blackbirds. Of course, there is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larvae.

WATER

A dashed blueline stream runs through the eastern portion of the large tract of land for nearly ½ mile. Another dashed blueline stream runs through the portion of the large tract located at the highway for a short distance. Those intermittent streams should have regular water flow, especially during periods of rainfall and snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has in title will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

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

UTILITIES

Water:   A well could be drilled
Sewer:   A private septic system could be installed
Electricity: Nearby
Telephone: Nearby
Internet:  Frontier or satellite providers: Starlink, HughesNet
Cellphone Coverage: Excellent on ridges and spotty at lower elevations. Some carriers have better than other.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

30’ rights of way for the purposes of ingress and egress have been reserved in outsale deeds.

ZONING

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

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The large tract of property has been used as forestland.

(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.)

RECREATION

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the Second Creek, Greenbrier River, New River, Bluestone Lake, Lake Moomaw, Lake Anna, Bluestone River, and Summersville Lake.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive 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 or near darkness can still be found on most of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

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

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
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 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 the adrenaline rush offered on forest trails.

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.

Hunting is a first-class experience.  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.

FLY FISHING SECOND CREEK, WEST VIRGINIA

Nearby Second Creek

Second Creek is a large spring-fed creek and is a tributary of the Greenbrier River. This is a stocked stream known for its large brown trout. Unlike most spring fed creeks, Second Creek has a gravel bottom rather than a silt and sand bottom.

The creek has a good population of aquatic insects, thanks to its high pH. Mayflies, caddisflies and midges are present. There are also plenty of scuds. It has relatively shallow water with several rapids, still water and deeper sections in the pools.

Seasons:

Fly fishing Second Creek is best in the Spring and Summer
Spring:
Spring provides the best fly fishing opportunities due to the hatches.
Summer:
The water gets low and can get too warm during the summer.
Fall:
Fall is a great time to fish Second Creek. Brown trout spawn in the Fall and become easier to catch in the pre-spawn stage.
Winter:
Fly fishing Second Creek remains good all winter but the water is usually low and very clear.

Second Creek is a supurb fly-fishing stream. It is narrow; only 20 to 50 feet wide, but it gives a very pleasant woody feel winding its way through the valley with the fields and the cows on either side. The best time to fish is late spring once the water stabilizes and the big Browns are laying in the deeper sections of the pools.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER

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.

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 River 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.

SURROUNDING AREA

MONROE COUNTY

The property is located about a 20-minute drive from the charming village of Union, which is the Monroe County seat. Banking, healthcare facilities, drugstore, grocery, hardware, auto parts and farm supply are readily available in nearby Union and Peterstown. There are no fast food restaurants but there are the local restaurants that are great places to meet friends and enjoy a great home cooked meal.

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

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

Peterstown was chartered in 1803 by the Virginia General Assembly, incorporated in 1892 by the Circuit Court. Peterstown was named for Christian Peters, Revolutionary war soldier, who settled nearby and founded the town shortly after the Revolutionary War. The town is the site of the 1928 discovery of the 34.48 carat (6.896 g) Jones Diamond by Grover C. Jones and his son, William “Punch” Jones.

GREENBRIER COUNTY

Lewisburg, 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, Airstream Rally, WV Barn Hunt Competition, and numerous fun parades.

Lewisburg is the home to the Greenbrier Country Public Library, a fantastic, ultra-modern public library that is open 7 days a week. The library’s services include Reading Areas, References, Notary Public, Local History Room, Tax Forms, Fax Service, Photocopies, Digital Printing, Inter Library Loans, Internet/Computer Access, Audio Books, eBooks, Story Hour, Video & DVD’s, Paperback Book Exchange, Literacy Tutoring, Databases, Computer Classes, Book Discussions, Children’s Programming and Online Catalogue.

Lewisburg is also home to modern Robert. C Byrd Medical Clinic (300 employees), the WV Osteopathic Medical School (770 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 in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino, tennis exhibitions. 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 train ride from White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 4 hours away and Charlotte is only 4. Insert picture of amtrack

AREA OUTDOOR RECREATION

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 12,000 acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour fifteen minute drive.

SIX RIVERS AND FIVE LAKES

Jones Mountain 97 is in the heart of a biological, historic, and recreational mecca.

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.

All rivers and lakes are within a two hour’s drive from the property. The area encompasses the New River, Greenbrier River, Gauley River, Cherry River, Meadow River and Bluestone River. Within this vast watershed lies the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake and 3000-acre Summersville Lake. Lake Moomaw, and Lake Anna

The rivers and lakes 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.

Great fishing is found in the river and lakes with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

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 two thousand 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. Summersville Lake is over three thousand acres at summer pool and is the state’s largest body of water.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The 80,000-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 fifty-three 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 footpath 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 fifty-three 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, from the Cunard put into 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 sixty-six 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 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.

Visitors should begin their 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.

Local Towns: Driving Times (approximate)

Alderson: 30 minutes
Union: 20 minutes
White Sulphur Springs: 20 minutes
Lewisburg and Osteopathic School of Medicine: 20 minutes
Beckley: 1 hour
Charleston: 2 hours
Princeton: 1 hour 20 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 1 hour 40 minutes
Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 1 hour 30 minutes

Airports:

Beckley – Raleigh County Memorial Airport: 1 hour
Blacksburg, VA – Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bluefield – Mercer County Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes
Charleston – West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 2 hours
Lewisburg – Greenbrier Valley Airport: 30 minutes
Roanoke, VA – Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: 1 hour 40 minutes

Recreation:

Golf – Elks Club, Lewisburg: 25 minutes
Golf – There are additional golf courses in the surrounding area
Lake – Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 1 hour
Lake – Moncove Lake State Park, Gap Mills: 35 minutes
Lake – Summersville Lake: 1 hour 35 minutes
Nature Trail – Mill Creek Nature Park Trails, Narrows, VA: 1 hour
Resort – Glade Springs: 1 hour 10 minutes
Resort – Pipestem Resort State Park: 1 hour 15 minutes
Resort – The Greenbrier: 20 minutes
Skiing – Winterplace Ski Resort, Ghent: 1 hour 15 minutes
State Park – Camp Creek State Park & Forest: 1 hour 25 minutes
State Park – Bluestone State Park, Hinton: 1 hour 10 minutes
State Park – Moncove Lake State Park, Gap Mills: 35 minutes
State Park – Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem: 1 hour 15 minutes
State Fair of West Virginia, Fairlea: 20 minutes