General

Welcome to beautiful and historic Hampshire County. Once a part of Virginia, we are the oldest county in West Virginia. All year long we will be proudly showing-off our heritage at festivals, historic events, and everyday life. Be sure to take a minute to browse our calendar of events for 2006.

We have everything to offer…from bluegrass to jazz, a scenic excursion train ride, arts and crafts, to fine dining…fishing, canoeing, archery, hunting and motor sports…sunrises atop Cooper Mountain, and the catch-your-breath sighting of an American Bald Eagle along the South Branch River.

Rich in French and Indian War history, we have Fort Edwards Visitor's Center and Museum in Capon Bridge. Civil War buffs will find Taggart Hall and Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches of particular interest. Decide to linger awhile? We have many fine B&B's, campgrounds, motels, resorts and restaurants.

History

Hampshire County, the oldest county West Virginia, was formed in 1754. The formation was authorized by an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed on December 13, 1753 and effective May 1, 1754. However the history of Hampshire County dates back more than two centuries to 1725 when the first explorer, Indian trader, and hunters traversed the area.

Their glowing reports of fertile valleys, spreading forests, and navigable waters encouraged the Coburn, Howard, Walker, Rutledge, and Foreman families to settle along the South Branch River before 1735, near the present town of Springfield. These first five families to establish residences in the valley were followed three years later by two brothers, Job and John Pearsall, who build their homes near the present site of Romney.

A few years later other families followed including: Parker, Rogers, Hunter, Good, Blue, Kuykendall, and Johnson to settle in which was then known as Pearsall's Flats, Romney.

TOP OF PAGE

Historic buildings and sites: (Unless noted, not available for visitation.)

National Register of Historic Places (also marked in red below):

• Capon Springs Resort, Capon Springs
• Literary Hall, Romney
• Scanlon Farm, 3 Churches
• Sloan-Parker House (the Stone House),east of Junction on US Rt 50
• Sycamoredale, West of Romney on River Road
• Washington Bottom Farm, Rt 28, Springfield
• Wilson-Wodrow-Mytionger House, Romney
• Kuykendall Polygonal Barn (destroyed)

• Arnold House
  The families Millar, Parker, and Arnold are associated with this house built in 1770. It was the home of Isaac Millar, a prominent officer during the Revolutionary War, businessman, and civic leader.
  River Road, Romney.
  
• Bloomery Presbyterian Church
  Built on land given by Col. Robert Sherrard, one-time resident of the nearby "Old Stone House." Features 2 tiers of windows, a bay window pulpit, and squat box belfry.
  Rt. 127, Bloomery.
  
• Blue House
  Built in 1900, this has been home to the descendants of Lt. John Blue, famed Confederate spy, whose memoirs were published in "Hanging Rock Rebel".
  261 East Main Street, Romney.
  
• Boxwood
  Built in 1800 and reportedly sold for about $10 for unpaid taxes, the house was used as a Civil War hospital. Reportedly the ceremonies for each of the 56 changes between the Northern and Southern armies in Romney took place under a great elm in the front yard.
  East Main Street, Romney, at the entrance to the State School.
  
• The Buffalo House at Fern Cliff
  Isaac Pancake built the original log portion in the early 1800's. Recently restored with additions made, it is the home of John and Barbara Pancake.
  River Road, Romney.
  
• The Burg
  Built about 1769, this property has been in the original family for seven generations. It was used as headquarters by both armies during the Civil War.
  Rt. 50 west of Romney.
  
• Capon Chapel Baptist Church/Cemetery
  Early settlers gathered on this spot for religious occasions and family burials. The church is a log structure built in mid-1700s. The cemetery contains graves of slaves and Civil War soldiers.
  1 1/2 miles south of Capon Bridge on Christian Church Rd.
  
• Caudy's Castle/Castle Rock
  Rock formation overlooking Cacapon River. One of highest cliffs in WV, where an early settler withstood Indian attack.
  Rt. 45 near Bloomery.
  
• Cookman Building
  Built in 1906 for the Bank of Romney, the building also housed the U.S. Post Office, the Hampshire Review, a telephone exchange, and the law offices of John J. Cornwell, 15th governor of West Virginia.
  East Main Street, downtown Romney
  
• The County "Poor Farm"
  Lot No. 1 Lord Fairfax land, surveyed by George Washington in 1748. Became site of a parish house of the Episcopal Church of England. These "glebe" lands were used for clergy and care for the needy. Now private land.
  Visible from River Road/Potomac Eagle excursion. 14 miles south of Romney, River Road.
  
• Davis History House
  One of the oldest houses in Romney, now a Museum of Civil War artifacts, owned by Hampshire County Public Library. Deeded in 1795. The Davis family was "divided" during the Civil war.
  155 West Main St. beside Hampshire County Public Library.
  Open in summer by appointment and on special occasions, such as Heritage Days. (not heated)
  Contact: Hampshire County Public Library 822-3185 or Dot Herriott 822-5267
  
• The Farmer's Exchange
  Established in the late 1800s the interior is largely original; most recently used as a second-hand furniture store.
  North Bolton Street, Romney
  
• Fawcett House
  Also called "The Old Stone House," this 1870's home has 20-inch thick stone walls, 4 chimneys with two fireplaces apiece, and beautiful hand carved mantels. Original cooking irons can still be seen and remains of stone slaves' quarters are evident in the back yard. The house was restored by Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Fawcett in 1987.
  Rt. 127, Bloomery.
  
• First United Methodist Church
  Built in 1904, it replaced the original 1869 building which was destroyed by fire. It features a lovely tin ceiling. Educational building was added in the 1940s.
  N. High St., Romney
  
• Fort Edwards site
  One of the earliest home sites in Hampshire County and one of the few known sites of the French and Indian War (one of the most important of engagements of the war in Virginia, the Battle of Great Cacapon River or Mercer's Massacre, occurred in the vicinity on April 18, 1756). The site of this frontier fort has been positively identified by archeologists, and is interpreted in the Visitor's Center. Representation of the original fort is planned. This is private property and permission is required to visit the site when the Visitor Center is not open.
  Capon Bridge off Rt. 50, 1/4 mile out Springfield Grade Road to east side. Ft. Edwards Foundation, P.O. Box 623, Capon Bridge, WV 26711 (or call 822-7221, Hampshire County Convention and Visitor's Bureau)
  Visitor Center open Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM;
  Farmers/Artisan's Market open 2nd Sat, during open season.
  www.fortedwards.org
  
• Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Union Army trenches and Wildlife Management Area
  Thought to be the best-preserved Civil War battle trenches in existence. Dug 1861-1862, lined with chestnut logs. Interpretive signage has been installed. Paved road and parking area. A Civil War museum relating to the Trenches is located in Romney in the Taggart Hall Visitor Center, on the corner of High St. and Gravel Lane.
  West of Romney, 3 miles from Rt. 50/Rt. 28 stop light. CAUTION: the turnoff from Rt. 50 is very dangerous. It is recommended travelers go past the turnoff to a safe turnaround and approach heading eastward. After crossing the wooden bridge, take an immediate left, and go to the top of the mountain. The trenches are to the left of the road at the top.
  Daylight to dark during summer. No overnight camping allowed.
  (call (304) 822-4320 County Development Office)
  
• French's Mill
  Built in 1911, the last working mill in the county. Cornmeal and buckwheat flour are still ground here.
  1/4 mile south on Augusta Ford Hill Rd. from Rt. 50 in Augusta.
  
• Frye's Inn
  Built approximately 1818 by Eli Beall as a tavern. A daughter, Sarah Jane, married a Frye, and the Inn, run as a boardinghouse, was renamed. Now a private residence.
  Capon Bridge, Rt. 50 just east of blue bridge
  
• Giffin Funeral Home/Amos Pugh Home
  Amos Pugh was a significant political influence in Hampshire County and served in the state legislature in 1886
  Capon Bridge, Rt. 50
  
• Green Meadows Farm
  c. 1900, built by Frank Harmison. First sweet corn truck farm in the county. Now a privately owned residence.
  A short distance past warehouse on right side of view from Potomac Eagle Excursion
  
• Hampshire County Courthouse
  Constructed in 1922 to replace the old 1833 courthouse. Original bell from the first courthouse hands in the bell tower. Statue of WWII soldier stands in front of the building. During Hampshire Heritage Days, usually features displays of local memorabilia.
  Corner of Main (Rt. 50) and High (Rt. 28) Streets in Romney
  
• Hampshire House 1884
  Victorian structure built in 1884 by J. Edwin Russell, restored as a bed and breakfast with period furnishings.
  1 1/4 blocks north of Rt. 50 at 165 N. Grafton St.
  
• Hatch House
  Site of oldest known marked grave in county (1773) of William Gaddis. A log home circa 1750 built on property deeded to William Gaddis by Lord Fairfax. The home was restored in 1977. Purchased in 1985 by Perry and Jean Hatch.
  Smokey Hollow Rd, (Rt. 6) 3 miles east of Bloomery on Rt. 127 (from Rt. 50 one mile east of Capon Bridge, Rt. 6 to Smokey Hollow Rd., 16 miles, then 5 miles to stop sign).
  
• Hickory Grove
  Adam Stump and wife Mary Gregg Parsons built the brick house in 1838. Their son, Capt. George Stump, was killed by a Union soldier a short distance from the home just before the end of the war. The seventh generation of the family continues to live here.
  River Road, Romney
  
• Hook's Tavern
  Oldest part of log structure used as a tavern in 1790. Newer, front section used as an inn 1850's. Owned by the same family until just recently.
  US Rt 50 and Smokey Hollow Road, just east of Capon Bridge
  
• Indian Mound Cemetery/site of Fort Pearsall/Confederate Monument & Cemetery/Parson BellTower
  Of interest to history buffs. Largest Hopewell Indian burial mound (7-foot high) east of the Ohio, c. 500 -1000 A.D. Ft. Pearsall c. 1755 occupied this same lot of a Lord Fairfax grant. Containing the one of the first Confederate Memorials in the US, erected in 1867 by the Daughters of the Confederacy. Also contains Parsons Bell tower erected in 1925 in memory of James Greff Parsons and his wife, Catherine Forman Casey.
  Rt. 50 W at School Street next to Romney Elementary school, Romney
  Open until dark
  
• Kuykendahl/Hicks House
  The north portion of the present structure was Fort Kuykendall built during the French and Indian War. Additions were made in 1814 by Isaac Pancake, and a two story addition was completed in 1987.
  River Rd., Romney.
  
• Liberty Hall
  Stonewall Jackson's headquarters. c. 1858. Private residence. Site where Jackson reportedly wrote a letter of resignation that was rejected.
  276 East Main St., Romney
  
• Literary Hall
  On the National Register of Historic Places, this pre-Civil War meeting place/library of Romney Literary Society built 1870 housed the largest library west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Literary Society was the first of its kind in WV and one of the first in the country, organized in 1819. Privately owned, maintained as a museum containing local furnishings, antique music boxes and firearms, occasionally opened for Heritage Days and other special occasions. Site of meetings for the Masonic Lodge.
  Northwest corner of Main St/High St. intersection at the traffic light, Romney.
  
• Mill Meadow
  1799 farm/mill, now a private residence,
  Visible from Potomac Eagle excursion train.
  
• Monroe Cemetery
  A small restored cemetery located on the farm of James Monroe, a pioneer family of Scottish ancestry, which settled in Hampshire County in the 1700s. James Monroe married Margaret Pugh, daughter of Robert and Margaret Pugh. Their graves lie within the cemetery on the farm of Mrs. Mervin Wolford. Permission required to visit this private property.
  2 1/2 miles south of Capon Bridge on Christian Church Road.
  
• Mount Pisgah
  Serving the black community since 1886, an addition on the north side of the original church was completed in 1998.
  North High Street, Romney.
  
• Old Bloomery Iron Furnace
  Used during Civil War. Used low grade ore mined near the site to produce products needed by the Confederate army. Privately owned; picnic area not currently open for use.
  Rt. 29N, between Slanesville and Bloomery, on right.
  
• Old Methodist District Parsonage
  c. 1868-82. Private residence. 2-story brick home in Victorian style with Italian influence. Restored 8-room home with 18th & 19th century furnishings and folk art.
  351 N. High St., Romney.
  
• One-room Schoolhouse Museum
  Restored one-room schoolhouse with memorabilia
  On grounds of Hampshire High School.
  Open for special occasions such as Heritage Days.
  
• Pancake/Kuykendall House
  Situated on lot 12 of the Fairfax South Branch River Survey, it was built in 1872 by Joseph A. and Susan Parsons Pancake. Third generation Pancake family continue to live here.
  River Road, Romney.
  
• Parker/Scanlon House
  Original portions of the house are log. It is known as River Place or Little Meadows. No record of actual construction can be located. Third generation of Parker family continue to live here.
  River Road
  
• Parks Home
  Restored home
  Capon Bridge
  
• Riverside
  Private home,
  Visible from Potomac Eagle.
  
• Romney Presbyterian Church
  Built in 1860, this church was used as a hospital/stable during Civil War. Iron rods were installed in 1870 after the walls began to spread.
  Corner Marsham St. and Rosemary Lane, (1 block from Rt. 50) Romney
  
• St. Luke Presbyterian Chapel
  The chapel celebrated 100 years of Christian service in 1996, and has served both Methodist and Presbyterian congregations.
  River Road, Romney
  
• St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
  Built in 1885 for $1800, this small brick church features gothic windows of sandblasted glass with colored borders and a tiny portico. The Tiffany-style altar window is in memory of the first minister, 1886-1915. The marble baptismal font predates the building.
  310East Main St., Romney
  
• School House
  Built as a church around 1825, it suffered a fire in 1853. From 1866 to 1906, it served as a public school, with primary grades continuing to be housed there for some time after. It became a private home in 1914.
  South Grafton Street, Romney.
  
• Shaffer Funeral Home
  Former home of WV governor John J. Cornwell (1917-1921) now a private business.
  230 E. Main St., Romney
  
• Stagecoach Inns
  Stagecoach inns along the Northwestern Turnpike
  Capon Bridge, North River Mills, Higginsville. Some now private homes.
  
• The Stone House
  Built by Richard Sloan in the 1790's it served as a stage coach stop between Green Spring and Moorefield. Purchased in 1854, it has been home to five generations of the Parker family. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  7 miles west of Romney on Rt. 50.
  
• Stony Lonesome
  Mid-1800s homestead, private residence,
  View from Potomac Eagle excursion train.
  
• Straw's Country Store Museum
  Privately owned museum of country store memorabilia, antiques and old gasoline engines
  Rt. 50 east of Augusta near Dunmore Ridge Rd. (9 miles west of Capon Bridge). On south side of highway, on hill behind Haines Orchard Fruit Market.
  Open by chance and for special occasions, such as Heritage Days.
  (304) 496-7437
  
• Sycamoredale
  Referred to in the General Lew Wallace raid of June 12, 1861, it was built by David Gibson in 1836. Lew Wallce wrote part of "Ben Hur' here.
  River Road, Romney
  
• Taggart Hall
  Clapboard "half" house built by Francis Taggart (or Tygart), a Quaker, on one of the 100 lots Lord Fairfax had surveyed to encourage settlement in the "western" counties. Built between 1795 and 1798. Now houses Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center, with a Civil War Museum.
  Corner of High St. and Gravel Lane, Romney (1 block south of Rt. 50)
  Open Mon-Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun noon - 4 p.m. (May-Oct)
  
• Timber Ridge Christian Church
  Brick structure built in 1875. Original iron railing surrounds the church and graveyard, where the oldest grave dates 1823.
  5 miles south of Rt. 50 in Capon Bridge on Christian Church Road, in High View.
  
• Valley View Farm
  1855, built for Hannah Parsons Harlan by her father, James "Big Jim" Parsons. Sold in 1927 to Joseph O'Hara, who was instrumental in bringing electric power to Romney. Currently a private home.
  View from Potomac Eagle excursion
  
• Wappacoma
  The main part of the house was built in 1773 from bricks used as ballast on English ships, off loaded at Newport News, and hauled across the mountains by oxen. It has been home to six generations of the same family.
  Rt. 28 north of Romney
  
• Washington House
  Slave cabin restored by Ralph Haines
  Rt. 28 N, Romney
  
• West Virginia Schools for the Deaf & Blind
  Administration building, built 1846, houses display of historic photographs and memorabilia of the school's 120+ year past.
  Rt. 50, Romney
  
• Wilson-Wodrow-Mytinger House
  Romney's oldest house, on National Register. Privately owned, but made available for use of Hampshire County Historical Society. 3 buildings about 200 years old: a log kitchen, center dwelling with outstanding brick double chimneys, and office building. The latter was constructed for Clerk of Court's office and is believed to be the state's oldest public building. Restored in 1963. Possibly built for George Wilson, who was granted the property by Lord Fairfax in 1763.
  75 W. Gravel Lane.
  
• Yellow Spring Mill
  A grain mill, water wheel still present.
  At Yellow Spring on Cacapon River.

TOP OF PAGE