Travel WV
written by kenzie dye
A History Lover ’ s Guide to
WEST VIRGINIA
Photo by Pocahontas County CVB .
West Virginia ’ s travel regions boast endless experiences for history buffs of all ages . Below are nine sites visitors won ’ t want to miss when planning a trip to the Mountain State .
Starting in the Eastern Panhandle , Harpers Ferry ’ s unique history encompasses more than just one event , date or individual . Harpers Ferry was the site of the first successful implementation of interchangeable manufacturing , America ’ s first successful railroad , John Brown ’ s attack on slavery , the largest surrender of federal troops during the Civil War and the education of formerly enslaved individuals in one of the earliest integrated schools in the U . S .
A few notable historical figures who spent time here are Thomas Jefferson , George Washington and John Brown . On October 25 , 1783 , Jefferson visited Harpers Ferry to see the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers from a rock that now bears his name , Jefferson Rock . As the champion and first president of the Patowmack Company , Washington visited Harpers Ferry in the summer of 1785 . Over the course of two days , his party inspected the river to assess the need for bypass canals and channels . In 1794 , Washington used his familiarity with Harpers Ferry to create a new federal armory and arsenal site . On the night of October 16 , 1859 , Brown and 21 followers captured the U . S . Armory , Arsenal and Rifle Factory at Harpers Ferry . Brown ’ s raid only lasted 36 hours as he underestimated how quickly people would rise up against what they viewed as insurrection . Brown was captured two days later .
Moving down to the Potomac Highlands , the town of Cass was founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company . Built as a company town for loggers working in the nearby mountains , Cass saw the construction of its railroad to transport lumber to the town ’ s mill in the very year it was founded . The railroad eventually expanded to the top of Bald Knob , the state ’ s third-highest mountain peak , and in 1942 was sold to Mower Lumber Company , who managed it until July 1960 . In 1961 , Cass was incorporated into the state parks system , and in 1977 , the entire company followed suit . Since becoming a state park , Cass Scenic Railroad ’ s most popular attraction is a train ride to the overlook at Bald Knob . The Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad provides train excursions Tuesday-Sunday as well as special events throughout the year .
Located in the Mountain Lakes region , Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is a significant Civil War battle site . Part of the Civil War Discovery Trail , which links more than 300 historical sites across 16 states ,
Photo by Visit Greater Summersville .
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