OVERVIEW

Wolfcreek Country Home at Wolf Creek, West Virginia, on Route 3 (Alderson – Pickaway Road), is an outstanding 1920 +/- square foot doublewide manufactured home. Bright and airy, the home comes with 12 +/- acres, livestock stable, and sits on a knoll overlooking the pastoral Monroe County countryside. This three-bedroom home with two full baths is move-in ready, plus has new carpet throughout, a whole-house backup generator and several skylights. Easy drive to historic Lewisburg, Union, Alderson and Peterstown for all types of shopping and professional services. The home is ready for the new owner to enjoy the country living at its best in Wild and Wonderful Monroe County, West Virginia.

LOCATION

Nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains lies a place where the rivers flow and the eagles soar. A place where small-town charm is around every corner and outdoor recreation is the norm. A place where porch sitting is earned after days spent hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. It is a place that remembers its past and looks toward the future.

Google Coordinates: 37.661941°(N), -80.606487°(W)
Address: 7449 Wolf Creek Road, Wolf Creek, WV  24993
Elevation Range: 1671 ft. to 1763 ft. +/-

HIGHLIGHTS

• Outstanding location in scenic farm and forest country
• 1920 +/- square feet
• Bright and airy, clean condition home
• Three Bedrooms
• Two full baths, the master includes a jacuzzi tub
• Six stall livestock stable
• Two storage buildings
• Manufactured 1999
• 12 +/- acres by survey
• 45 minutes to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
• Situated in sleepy Monroe County – no stoplights – population around 13,000
• Beautiful views
• Located in low traffic farming community
• Central heating and air conditioning
• Family room with a gas fireplace
• Dining room – Breakfast nook
• Spacious kitchen with abundant cabinetry
• New carpet and vinyl floor coverings
• Electric range, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator-freezer
• Kitchen pantry
• Utility Room with washer and dryer
• Master bath with jacuzzi tub
• Ceiling fans
• Water softener
• Covered front entry porch
• Covered side entry porch
• Shingle roof
• Drilled water well with submersible pump
• Gravel driveway
• Low property taxes
• Amish Community nearby
• Minutes to Union, Alderson, and Lewisburg
• 5 minutes to the Wolf Creek post office – ZIP Code 24933
• Easy drive to jet airports in Roanoke, Charleston, and Lewisburg
• Pence Springs Flea Market is a 25-minute drive
• Superior access by state-maintained paved roads – FedEx, UPS, and USPS delivery
• On the school bus route for Monroe County Schools
• Cell phone coverage is excellent, dependent on carrier
• Exceptional recreational area for kids and adults

HOME DETAILS

HOME OUTSIDE DIMENTIONS  26 X 76 = 1,976 (less 56 sqft porch) = 1,920 net sqft

Room Dimensions: (+/-)

Dining Room        12 x 12
Kitchen                  20 x 12
TV Room                16 x 16
Utility Room           6 x 6
Living Room          12 x 17
Bedroom 2             11 x 12
Bedroom 3              11 x 12
Hallway Full Bath  5 x 6
Master Bedroom    16 x 12
Master Bathroom   10 x 9
Sun Room               8 x 18

DECKS AND OUTBUILDINGS

Covered Front Deck   16 x 26
Covered Side Porch    7 x 8
Back Deck 10 x 46
Garage / Storage Building 24 x 24
Storage Building 8 x 10
Livestock Stable 34 x 40

AREA RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Monroe County area offers matchless recreational opportunities with only a short drive.

Nature viewing is first in line with 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 neotropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Near-complete darkness can still be found in community areas, allowing the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Greenbrier, Bluestone, and New Rivers, plus the 2,000 acre Bluestone Lake are ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, and Hiking
Can be accessed by a short drive to the surrounding communities’ wildlife management areas and parks.

Shooting sports are popular in the local area

• 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

Hunting is a first-class experience in Southeastern West Virginia. Whitetail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox, and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed in October 1987, and a metes and bounds description from that survey is in the owner’s deed. The northern boundary of the property runs with Route 3/5 and Route 3. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Private Well
Sewer: Private Septic System
Electricity: MonPower or Alleghany
Telephone: Landline may be available from Frontier Communications.
Internet: Satellite, Wireless or cable may be available through Frontier
Cellphone Coverage: Good depending on the carrier (Verizon, ATT, Sprint, US Cellular etc)

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has about 259 feet of frontage on Rt. 3/5 and about 2/10 mile of frontage on Rt. 3. The driveway for the property connects directly to the county road system.

ZONING

Monroe County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and water wells and septic systems.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: A portion of the property in DB 297 Pg. 39

Monroe County, West Virginia
Acreage: 12 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Monroe County (32), West Virginia
Wolf Creek District (9)
Tax Map 11 Parcel 39.1; Class 3

2022 Real Estate Taxes: $1462.74

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Monroe County School District

Public Elementary School:
Mountain View Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Mountain View Middle School

Public High School:
James Monroe High School

Higher Education:
Monroe County Vocational Center

THE SURROUNDING BLUESTONE AREA

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia, is famous for its fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although the dam was started in 1941, its construction was delayed because of World War II, and it was not fully completed until 1952. The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level changes frequently. The Lake can grow over 36 miles long at the flood control pool. At higher levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia. The Lake’s Catchment Area is 4,565 square miles. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River, and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that the New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass has set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is fantastic for enjoying all water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wakeboarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game, including whitetail deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

A great place to enjoy the lake is Bluestone State Park. The Park has ample accommodations for those who want to stay overnight. There are a variety of campsites – or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TVs, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can take a walk on the hiking trails, play in the swimming pool, or rent game equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The Park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.

In addition to the fun activities on the lake, there’s plenty more to do in the surrounding area. There are several other parks nearby, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. You can experience some great whitewater on the New River. And the New River Gorge is well-known as an excellent place for rock climbing, with its many hard sandstone cliffs. If you want a break from outdoor activities, the nearby town of Hinton has many attractions. There are a variety of restaurants, shops, and antique stores to browse and museums to visit.

Historical and recreational interest in the Bluestone area includes the outdoor musical dramas “Hatfields and McCoys” and other shows performed at Grandview Park, near Beckley. With its numerous recreational facilities, Pipestem Resort is only nine miles south. The 80,000 acres of New River Gorge National River Park is the center of some of the state’s best whitewater rafting, and canoeing is integral to the area. Of note are Sandstone Falls and the Visitor Center, just north of Hinton, and Bluestone National Wild and Scenic River, which flows into Bluestone Lake within the park boundaries.

BLUESTONE WMA – 18,109 ACRES

Wolfcreek Country Home is within a 45 minute drive of West Virginia’s 18,109 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area.  The statewide Wildlife Management Program is designed to conserve and manage high-quality habitats for a variety of wildlife species and to improve public access to these resources. West Virginia provides numerous opportunities to learn and appreciate the abundant wildlife.

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 18,109 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third-largest body of water, the area provides guests with boating, canoeing, and fishing opportunities. The section of the lake from just upstream of the Bluestone River to Bluestone Dam is in Bluestone State Park; the rest of the lake in the West Virginia basin comprises Bluestone WMA.

Hunting is offered due to the wildlife management area status, and Bluestone has over 330 primitive campsites and picnic sites. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular.

Bicycles are permitted on main roads, day-use areas, and campground areas. Many roads leading to Wildlife Management area campgrounds are dirt roads that provide an experience similar to off-road bicycling.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park Service (NPS) unit 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 53 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 Historical Park. Now, over 70,000 acres of land bordering 53 miles of the gorge have earned the government’s protection.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are rich in cultural and natural history and offer abundant scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to 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 66 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.

Begin your experience by stopping at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, situated on the edge of the gorge, for maps, current information, and chats with a park ranger. You can learn any proper 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.

President Jimmy Carter signed legislation establishing the New River Gorge National River on November 10, 1978 (Pub.L. 95–625). As stated in the bill, the park was established as a unit of the national park system “to conserve and interpret the outstanding natural, scenic, and historical values and objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a free-flowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act was incorporated into the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, changing the designation to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Less than 10% of the original national river was re-designated as a national park, where hunting is no longer permitted, while the remainder is a national preserve with little change.

NEW RIVER REGION OVERVIEW

The New River is shared by boaters, fishermen, campers, park visitors, and local neighbors. The waters of the New River system contain a mosaic of hydrologic features and aquatic habitats that support a highly productive aquatic ecosystem that includes distinct populations of native fish, mussels, crayfish, and a broad array of other marine life, including rare amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The 320-mile New River rises in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina. It flows northeastward through the Appalachian uplands to Radford, Va., turning northwestward and passing through a series of narrow valleys and gorges into southern West Virginia. It ends where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. In WV, the New River is entrenched in a steep and narrow valley, the narrowest part of which is known as the “New River Gorge.”

In 1998, President Clinton signed the New River as one of the first American Heritage Rivers because of its historical, economic, and cultural importance. Much of the river’s course through West Virginia was designated the New River Gorge National River. In 2021, the area was selected as the United States’ newest National Park.

The New River is 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, one of the few rivers in North America that flow 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 rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National Park 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 mighty river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and provides excellent fishing and camping. There are several river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days.

The river’s lower (northern) section 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 mighty currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks.

Before the rise of the Appalachian Mountains, the New River cut its bed at a time when the land sloped to the northwest. Amazingly so, as the Appalachians gradually rose around the river, the New River wore away the bedrock at the same rate the mountains formed, leaving behind towering cliffs and prominences that hover hundreds of feet about the water level.

Accounts claim that Indians referred to the New River as the “river of death,” however, this origin story is likely legend. Native Americans and early European settlers regarded the New and Kanawha rivers as one waterway. The name “New” may have been derived when the river upstream was discovered by European explorers as the first “new” river found flowing westward.

Native American Indians used the New River as they traveled west years before the pioneers arrived. In the 1600s, explorers navigating the New River thought they were close to the Pacific Ocean because of its westerly flow.

In 1671 the Batts-Fallam expedition, by way of the New River, came through to the Lurich area and ended there because the Indian guides refused to take them any farther. They carved their initials in a tree and claimed the territory for King Charles II of England. This was the first proclamation of English settlement west of the Alleghenies, making the New River the first gateway into the west.

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 located in the New River, with bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and rock), flathead catfish, channel catfish, muskie, walleye, and bluegill present in good numbers. It produces more citation fish yearly than any other warm water river in WV.

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 1880s. The railroad opened 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 gorge was practically impassible before the New River Gorge Bridge was completed near Fayetteville, WV, in 1978. The river within its gorge is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern U.S. Much of the New between Hinton and the National Park Service manages Gauley Bridge as the New River Gorge National River.

Principal tributaries of the New in West Virginia include, from south to north, the East River, the Bluestone River, and the Greenbrier River.
Many former mining communities located on the New River in its gorge have since become ghost towns. These include Sewell, Nuttalburg, Kaymoor, Fayette, South Fayette, Hawks Nest, Cotton Hill, Gauley, Beury, and Claremont.

GREENBRIER RIVER AND RIVER TRAIL

Wolfcreek Country Home is a 20-minute drive to the lazy Greenbrier River near where it empties into the New River at Hinton. The Greenbrier River is 173 miles long and is the last free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small-mouth bass fishing. It is the gateway to water recreation and fun as it is often lazy and easy to navigate.

The Greenbrier River is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River in the town of Durbin, West Virginia. From Durbin, the Greenbrier River flows southwesterly through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, and Summers Counties. It flows through several communities, including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton. The Greenbrier River joins the New River in the town of Hinton, just 10 minutes away.

The property is a 60-minute ride to the Greenbrier River Trial and is operated by the West Virginia State Parks. The trail is a 77-mile-long former railroad, now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, horseback-riding, and wheel-chair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and two tunnels as it winds along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and surrounded by the peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.

MONROE COUNTY

Banking, healthcare facilities, drugstore, grocery, hardware, auto parts, and farm supplies are available nearby Union and Peterstown. There are no fast-food restaurants but 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, does not have a stoplight, and has more cattle and sheep than people. Monroe County is a unique 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.

UNION

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

The Town of Peterstown is a 45 minute drive.  Banking, healthcare facilities, drugstore, grocery, hardware, auto parts, and farm supply are readily available in Peterstown. The town is on the border with Virginia, and Virginia Tech is less than an hour from Peterstown.

Peterstown was chartered in 1803 by the Virginia General Assembly and incorporated in 1892 by the Circuit Court. Peterstown was named for Christian Peters, a 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 carats (6.896 g) Jones Diamond by Grover C. Jones and his son, William “Punch” Jones.

SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS

Salt Sulphur Spring near Union is a popular wedding venue and is the scene of select community events.

The area is well known for the healing waters of the numerous “Sulphur Springs.” During the 1800s and early 1900s, several “Sulphur Springs Resorts” flourished in the area. White Sulphur Springs, Warm Springs, and Hot Springs are most notably and still exist. Others included Sweet Springs, Blue Sulphur Springs, Red Sulphur Springs, Green Sulphur Springs, Pence Springs, and Sweet Chalybeate Springs.

During the height of wealthy families’ summer treks to the Virginia springs resorts—from roughly 1800 until the Civil War—one famous circuit encompassed “the fountains most strongly impregnated with minerals, heat, fashion, and fame,” according to one chronicler. For those arriving from eastern Virginia and points northeast, the circuit started at Warm Springs northeast of Lewisburg, in the Allegheny Mountains. From there, it ran south and west to the Hot, the White Sulphur, the Sweet, the Salt Sulphur, and the Red Sulphur, then back in the opposite direction.

The “Old Salt” was famed for its three springs: sweet, salt sulphur, and iodine, curative especially for “chronic diseases of the brain” such as headaches.

The main hotel building dates to about 1820. Salt Sulphur Springs Historic District holds one of the largest groupings of pre-Civil War native stone buildings in West Virginia.

GREENVILLE (Centerville)

Just a few miles away lies the sleepy village of Greenville. Greenville is the classic old Virginia community with the historic Cook’s Mill still standing on the banks of Indian Creek. The Ziegler Family that owns Cook’s Mill has the grounds open for visitors to enjoy picnics and view the massive water wheel and the exterior of the building. Greenville has a general country store complete with gasoline sales. The post office is still open and a community meeting place.

RED SULPHUR SPRINGS

Red Sulphur Springs, located just a few miles away, was once the site of another popular mineral spring resort from the 1820s until World War I. The spring water emerges from the ground at 54 degrees F. and leaves a purplish-red sulfurous deposit used to treat skin conditions. The water was believed to be helpful in the treatment of tuberculosis. Modern analysis shows the water to be high in bicarbonate, sulfate, and calcium. Around 1920, the buildings were dismantled, and the resort ceased operation.

INDIAN CREEK

Indian Creek takes its name from a Native American trail that crossed the Appalachians from the Ohio River valley to the Great Valley of Virginia. “It was the interstate of the Indian world.”

Indian Creek is a tributary of the New River. It is one of Monroe County’s main drainage basins. Indian Creek begins its journey near Salt Sulphur Springs and drains tens of thousands of acres on its winding 30-mile-long trip through pastoral farms, steep mountain canyons, vast bottomland forests, wetlands, and marshes before ending its journey close to Crumps Bottom, where it enters New River. From there, the New River flows to the Kanawha, onto the Ohio, then the Mississippi, and terminating in the Gulf of Mexico. It is said that the waters of Indian Creek will arrive in the Gulf of Mexico 3 to 4 days after entering the New River.

INDIAN CREEK COVERED BRIDGE

Owned by the county historical society and open to pedestrians, it was part of the White and Salt Sulphur Springs Turnpike.  A Long truss built-in 1903 by Ray and Oscar Weikel (ages 16 and 18) and E.P. and A.P. Smith is more than 11.5 feet wide and 49.25 feet long.  There are six covered bridges in West Virginia with this truss engineering — Philippi, Hokes Mill, Sarvis Fork, Statts Mill, Center Point, and Indian Creek.  The completed bridge cost Monroe County only $400 and was used continuously for about 30 years.

The interior of the Indian Creek Bridge contains notes and plaques from previous visitors.  Now only pedestrians use the bridge, which also houses antique vehicles from the 1900s, adding to the history of this unique structure.

In the spring of 2000, the bridge was rehabilitated by Hoke Brothers Construction, Inc. of Union, WV, in 2002 at $334,446.  Renovations included timber roof trusses, a new glue-laminated timber deck, new wooden exterior siding, and a new roof of split shakes.

Indian Creek Bridge is a tribute to the ingenuity and hard work of two young builders who had a vision of what transportation could be in Monroe County.

SUMMERS COUNTY

HINTON

Hinton is the southern gateway to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The town has a large historic district, railroad museum, antique shops, and restaurants. Hinton is the county seat of Summers County. Founded in 1871, Hinton grew rapidly as the hub of a growing railroad industry serving the New River coal fields, passenger travel and coast to coast freight lines. Today, Hinton serves the growing tourist and technology industries.

Banking, healthcare facilities, regional hospital, fast food drugstore, groceries, hardware, auto parts, and farm supply are readily available in Hinton. Hinton has some fast-food restaurants, and there are also the local restaurants that are great places to meet friends and enjoy a great home-cooked meal.

TALCOTT, HILLDALE, LOWELL, AND PENCE SPRINGS

The small communities of Talcott, Lowell, and Pence Springs are a vital part of the community. Talcott is the home of the famous John Henry legend and hosts a yearly festival called John Henry Days. Talcott has the John Henry Park, a museum, and a post office. Hilldale has a brand-new Dollar General Store plus a general convenience store with gasoline sales.

Lowell is home to the famous Lowell Market, a general store with a deli with the best breakfast biscuits for miles around. The store sells food, sporting goods, bait, hardware, and lottery tickets, along with a host of other goods.

Pence Springs is the home of the excellent Pence Springs Flea Market, held Sundays from April – to the end of October. Dozens of vendors set up offering antiques, collectibles, guns, households, and a sundry of goods and tools. Another mainstay in Pence Springs is Country Road Store, known to locals as the Pence Springs Walmart. Food, gasoline and fuels, pizza, sporting goods, camping supplies, and hardware are part of the stocked inventory. As former owner Bird Keatley used to say, “If we don’t have it, do you really need it”? Greenbrier Girls Academy, sitting high on a knoll in the Pence, is a private school on the grounds of the Pence Springs Hotel.

Summers County (2014 population—13,417) is located in the southeastern region of West Virginia, scenically placed between the beautiful Greenbrier and New River Valleys.  The City of Hinton (2013 population—2,588) serves as the county seat and is the sole municipality within Summers County.  The railroad boom of the early 20th century helped to build Hinton and Summers County.  However, the county’s current economy is based primarily on tourism thanks to the Bluestone Dam and Lake along with the Bluestone, Greenbrier, and New Rivers which converge in Hinton.  Further, the New River Gorge National River begins at Hinton and flows northward into neighboring Fayette County.

Summers County is also home to Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort, and a number of other facilities that provide lodging, camping, and a variety of recreational activities.  The Hinton Railroad Museum, the Graham House, the Campbell Flanagan Murrell House, and other museums provide glimpses into the county’s history.  The architecture of buildings in Hinton’s nationally registered historic district is of interest to many.  A solid core of retail stores and professional service providers meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Residents of Summers County enjoy a wonderful small-town, laid-back quality of life.  Service clubs such as the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Ruritans support a number of community initiatives, school programs, and special events.  The Summers County Library supports the county school system and provides visitors with Internet access and other services. There are several denominations of churches in the area.

Summers County is served east-west by Interstate 64 and by north and south connections to Interstate 77.  The New River Parkway, when completed, will improve access to Sandstone Falls by upgrading River Road from I-64 near Exit 139 Sandstone into Hinton.  West Virginia Routes 3, 12, 19, 20, and 107 are the primary highways within the county.  Amtrak also provides an important transportation link to Summers County with its Cardinal line from New York to Washington DC to Chicago.  Stops are made three times per week to pick up and disembark passengers at Hinton’s historic Rail Depot.

The Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital provides an emergency room and a variety of medical services.  Summers County Emergency Services provides ambulance service.  Law enforcement is provided by the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, a detachment of the West Virginia State Police, the City of Hinton’s Police Department and park rangers with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.  Similarly, the City of Hinton has a new fully staffed and equipped fire station complemented by six other volunteer fire departments throughout the county.

Historic 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.

A jet airport, with daily flights to Chicago and Dulles, plays an integral part in Lewisburg having become a destination for those relocating from other states.  The modern airport boasts the longest air strip in WV and Air Force One can be accommodated.

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’s, Airstream Rally, WV Barn Hunt Competition, and sometimes a PGA Tour @The Greenbrier,

Lewisburg is also home to the modern Robert. C Byrd Medical Clinic (300 employees), the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is sometimes host to the PGA tour, NFL Summer Practice Event, Tennis Exhibitions (Venus Williams, John McEnroe etc.).

For more than 100 years, The Greenbrier has been synonymous with world class golf. With three picturesque resort courses, a private course (rated among America’s best) and a nine-hole par-3 walking course, there’s no better golf destination than America’s Resort. Whether it’s playing a round where the legends have played on The Old White Course or The Greenbrier Course, honing your short game on The Ashford or taking a lesson from The Greenbrier’s qualified professionals, The Greenbrier has everything a golfer needs to make his or her experience one that will never be forgotten. (Courtesy of The Greenbrier Resort)

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 Amtrak train ride from Hinton connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 5 hours away and Charlotte is only 3.

Within a two-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 & Preserve. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock-climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is 90-minute 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’s drive.