OVERVIEW

The Dorsey Retreat is a 9.172-acre tract of land located in scenic Nicholas County, West Virginia off Ward and Trimble Roads near Nettie, West Virginia.  This is a great site to build a cabin or bring the camper for vacationing and spending long weekends.  Additionally, the gentle lay of the land provides the opportunity to build multiple cabins or homes on the property for family and guests to enjoy. This wonderful property is located within 20 minutes of Summersville Lake, and is also close to multiple West Virginia State Parks, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the Monongahela National Forest.

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• 9.172-acre mix of field and woods near West Virginia’s largest lake
• Many recreational opportunities at Summersville Lake and Recreational Area and nearby New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
• Other recreational opportunities found in the Monongahela National Forest, home of the Cherry River and Cranberry River.  Excellent trout fishing in these watersheds which are only 30 to 60 minutes from the property
• Babcock and Hawks Nest State Parks found in nearby Fayette County, WV
• Use for your prime weekend getaway or permanent residence
• Excellent residential potential
• Possible recreational development potential – multiple cabin sites
• Two private, deeded rights-of-way into the property
• Public water, electric very close by and good cell service.
• City amenities approximately 20-minutes away in Summersville, WV the Nicholas County Seat
• Four season climate – the fall of the year is spectacular and summers warm and breezy
• Plenty of room to park your boat

LOCATION

Google Coordinates:  38.254973 (N)   -80.702959 (W)
Address: Ward Road and Trimble Road – No physical addressed assigned yet due to no structure on the property
Elevation Range:   2,480’ to 2,560’ above sea level

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

Forest/Timber Resources

Forest-wide, the wooded area is 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 with the forest containing current or future timber value.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid could be present which may result in the majority of the ash and hemlock trees becoming severely stressed over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

Recreation

The Dorsey Retreat offers unparalleled recreational opportunities.  Numerous recreational activities are anchored by nearby Summersville Lake, New River National Park and Preserve and the Monongahela National Forest.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find these waters ideal for boating, whitewater rafting, swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Fishing – Great fishing is found in Summersville Lake and the New River with bass (largemouth, smallmouth and rock), flathead catfish, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill present in good numbers.  The Cherry and Cranberry Rivers in the Monongahela National Forest offer some of the best trout fishing in West Virginia.  These waters are stocked with beautiful rainbow, brook, and golden trout several times throughout the spring months and stocked in the fall as well.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just larger 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, eagles, and hawks. White tail deer, black bear, beaver, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox, and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find an area that has a better mix of wildlife.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Total or 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.  The night sky is filled spectacular cosmic treasures, from the moon and other planets to distant stars and galaxies.

Mountain Biking and Hiking
Summersville Lake Recreational Area and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both contain miles of trails that may be used for mountain biking and hiking.  The area also offers several State Parks and the Monongahela National Forest geared for these activities as well.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the United States that has two separate ownership titles; those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS.  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.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed by Professional Surveyor Rickford Walton in August 1998 which said survey plat is recorded in the Office of the County Clerk of Nicholas County, West Virginia in Deed Book 386 Page 659.  All property corners established from this survey are still in place with boundary lines generally painted between the corners.  Additionally, one of the deeded rights-of-way was surveyed by Rickford Walton in November 2013 which deeded easement and plat can be found of record in Deed Book 490 Pages 424-427.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The Dorsey Retreat has two private deeded rights-of-way to access the property.  The first one is off Trimble Road directly across from McMillion Lane.  The second is an easement located directly off Ward Road.  Additionally, the property has an internal trail system that offers access to nearly all areas of the property.

UTILITIES

Water: Public – Nettie-Leivasy Public Service District
Sewer: Private Septic System would have to be installed
Electricity: On main roads
Telephone: On main roads
Internet: On main roads
Cellphone Coverage:  Good.  Certain carriers may have better service than others

ZONING

Nicholas County has no zoning regulations in effect other than that which is enacted and enforced within the city limits of Summersville and Richwood.  All prospective purchasers are encouraged to contact the Nicholas County Health Department and the Nicholas County Flood Zone Administrator regarding installation of septic systems, water wells, and flood insurance requirements.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Deed Book 443 Page 789
Acreage: 9.172 acres
Nicholas County, West Virginia
Kentucky District
Tax Map 14 Parcel 29.4

2022 Real Estate Taxes: $82.48

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Nicholas County School District

Public Elementary School:
Panther Creek Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Richwood Middle School or Summersville Middle School

Public High School:
Richwood High School or Nicholas County High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Summersville campus)

Private Schools:
New Life Christian Academy (PK-12)

SURROUNDING AREA

SUMMERSVILLE, WV

The City of Summersville, with a population of about 3,500, is located in the heart of West Virginia and surrounded by cool and pristine waters coming from its mountains.  These waters provide world-class recreational activities such as boating on Summersville Lake, white water rafting on the Gauley or New Rivers, or hiking along the areas trail systems. Along the banks of these waters lay beautiful, dense hardwood forests, providing the trails, cliffs, and wildlife for the dry life adventurer.

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE

The Dorsey Retreat is within 30 minutes of Summersville Lake boat launch areas.  Summersville Lake is the 2nd largest rock-fill dam in the Eastern United States and the largest lake in West Virginia.  Bring your boat and jet skis to spend days of recreational fun on this 2,700-acre lake with over 60 miles of shoreline.  Fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and rock climbing are just some of the recreational opportunities that can be found at the Summersville Lake Recreational Area.

FAYETTEVILLE, WV

Fayetteville, West Virginia, with a population of just below 3,000, was listed as one of the 2006 “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel Magazine and as “Best River Town 2013” by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine.  Fayetteville’s historic district is both charming and one of the most attractive locations for outfitters shops, boutique shops, and specialty restaurants in West Virginia. More than a dozen antiques shops were operating in the Fayetteville area in summer 2017, and five independent restaurants in the district were offering an outstanding selection of unique cuisine.

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE – AMERICA’S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK!
One of the most exciting destinations for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling in the eastern United States, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was established by the National Park Service in 1978 and includes more than 80,000 acres in and adjacent to the New River Gorge and the valley of the New River. More than a million visitors annually climb rocks along the rim of the gorge near Fayetteville and paddle its whitewater runs on the New River and its tributaries. Countless miles of hiking and biking trails wander the park and climb into the surrounding mountains. The nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area likewise attracts thousands of tourists annually, notably rafters during “Gauley Season” in autumn when the river runs strong.

NEW RIVER

The New River is shared by boaters, fisherman, campers, park visitors and local neighbors.  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 water rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National River 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.

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.

RICHWOOD, WV

Richwood is a city in eastern Nicholas County, West Virginia.  During the 19th and early 20th century, Richwood was a booming coal and lumber town. Richwood has a very rich history, including the formation of the Cherry River Navy civic organization to draw attention to issues important to the community. Richwood has also become known statewide as the “Ramp Capital of the World”.  Each year, in April, the city hosts a large festival that draws visitors from around the country.

The area surrounding the forks of the Cherry River has been populated since the late 1700s. During the 19th century, the area was a sparsely settled semi-wilderness of homesteads and farms. This changed in 1898 when a railroad was extended into the area, then known as Cherry Tree Bottoms. In 1901, the town was incorporated with its present name referencing the abundant hardwood forests in the area. Soon, the area possessed a large sawmill and the world’s largest clothespin factory.

The town was once home to several large businesses and industries. In addition to the sawmill and the clothespin factory, there were other factories that produced wood-based products such as axe-handles and paper. Coal also came into the industry picture during Richwood’s boom-era during pre-Depression years. Banking was a white-collar industry that succeeded in the city with the large companies investing into the city’s financial corporations. Once the large factories closed or relocated, many of the people followed. The final hit was when the coal industry took a downward turn and most of the local coal mines ceased operation.

Richwood now seeks to be reborn as both an artisan community and a technology center. Tourism and recreation have also become part of Richwood’s main economic drivers.  The Downtown Richwood Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST

The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. It protects over 921,000 acres of federally managed land within a 1,700,000 acres proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Region and portions of 10 counties.

The Monongahela National Forest includes some major landform features such as the Allegheny Front and the western portion of the ridge-and-valley Appalachians. Within the forest boundaries lie some of the highest mountain peaks in the state, including the highest, Spruce Knob (4,863 ft). Spruce Knob is also the highest point in the Allegheny Mountains.

The Monongahela National Forest is a recreation destination and tourist attraction, hosting approximately 3 million visitors annually.  The backwoods road and trail system is used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Many miles of railroad grades are a link in the recreation use of the forest. (The longest is the Glady to Durbin West Fork Railroad Trail which is 23 miles long.) Recreation ranges from self-reliant treks in the wildernesses and backcountry areas, to rock climbing challenges, to traditional developed-site camping. Canoeing, hunting, trapping, fishing (particularly trout fishing), and wildlife viewing are also common recreational activities within the forest.