Hampshire County CVB - Attractions

SCENIC DRIVES

A lot of interesting and beautiful sights reward the visitor to Hampshire County, and much of the charm is to be found by enjoying relaxed drives through the countryside. In addition to nature's blessings, much interesting history is in evidence, with many now-private sites visible from the road. If you stop to take pictures, please be sure to park safely and watch for traffic.

US Rte 50, the Northwest Turnpike heads west from Winchester, Va, through Hampshire County, punctuated with roadside fruit stands and flea markets, then climbs the mountains. From the east, the first town is Capon Bridge, on the banks of the Cacapon River. Cited by Canoe & Kayak Magazine for Class II and III rapids between Capon Bridge and Rt 127 North of Slanesville, the Cacapon is quite tame except in the spring, and, in some places is too shallow to navigate. Check out the Capon Bridge Museum in Dr. Gardner's old office, next to the Capon Bridge Library. Turn north along the Cacapon on Springfield Grade/Cold Stream Rd. Rt 15 past the site of Fort Edwards, a French and Indian War site with interpretive exhibits at the Visitors Center.. Further up the road is Edward's Run Public Hunting/Fishing Area with public river access and primitive camping. Continue towards Slanesville through North River Mills by Ice Mountain, now a Nature Conservancy preserve for its rare flora. Indians stored food in its ice-filled caves. Free guided hikes by appt. (304) 637 0160.
From Slanesville turn North on Rt 29 to Rt 127 and Bloomery. The Old Bloomery Iron Furnace, visible from Rt 29, made low-grade local iron ore into parts for the Confederate Army. Fawcett House/The Old Stone House, circa 1870's, has 20" thick stone walls, remains of stone slave quarters in the back yard. The site of Bloomery Gap Skirmish,lies along Rt 127, 3 miles west of Bloomery Post Office. In 1862 Brig.Gen. Frederick Landers, commanding OH, IN, & WV troops, routed Col.J. Sencindiver's Confederate brigade. They fled towards Winchester, but reoccupied Bloomery Gap after Landers returned to Paw Paw, a Union concentration point from 1861-65, where as many as 16,000 troops camped.
Paw Paw Tunnel, Rt 29 N/WV Rt 9/MD border, completed in 1850, is the largest structure on the C & O Canal. The 3,120 ft. long, 24 ft. high tunnel was carved through the mountain by hand. Accessible by foot or bicycle.
If you take Rt 50 West towards Augusta, take a minute to pullover at the top of Cooper Mountain, for a spectacular view…an especially good time would be in the morning just before sunrise, when the mist is still settled in the valleys and you can count the ridges into Virginia.
In Augusta, check out the Augusta Motor Speedway/Go-Kart Races, at the Fairgrounds, just off Rt 50 on Ford Hill Rd, on selected summer Saturday evenings…look for the signs. Central Hampshire Park, off Rt 50 behind the Fire Dept. has picnic pavilions, restrooms, playground, ball fields, and horseshoe pits. Tour French's Mill, a functioning mill, on Ford Hill Rd.
Farther west along Rt 50 is West Virginia's oldest town, Romney, settled in 1762. Astride a natural invasion route from the Shenandoah Valley to the Potomac and, B & O Railroad, Romney changed hands repeatedly during the Civil War. On Main Street, the WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind Administration Bldg., 1846, displays photos and memories of the schools' history. Across the street is Liberty Hall, circa 1858, once Stonewall Jackson's HQ, where he wrote a resignation letter that was rejected.
The interesting-looking brick building, The Bottling Works, used to bottle Coke, and you can see the decorative bottle shapes atop the columns. This facility is on its way to becoming a Hampshire County Historical and Arts Museum. Literary Hall, c.1870, Main and High Streets, was once the meeting place of the Romney Literary Society, and once held the largest library west of the Blue Ridge. The Hampshire County Public Library, Main Street is an extensive genealogy resource for those tracking down ancestors; it also has many historical and art displays. Davis History House, next to the library, is a 1700s log house that served as a Confederate meeting place, and contains Civil War memorabilia. Arrange tours in the summer with the library.
Romney's oldest house, Wilson-Wodrow-Mytinger House, on Gravel Lane is usually open during Heritage Days in September. The Taggart-Hill House, on High Street, circa 1795, is now the home of the Hampshire County Planning Commission, Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce and the Hampshire County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. It also houses a Museum of natural history, and Civil War memorabilia display. The building is open Mon-Sat 9-4pm, and Sun 12-4pm in the summer months.
Heading West again on Rt 50, will take you to Indian Mound Cemetery/Confederate Monument/Parson's Bell Tower. This a site of an unexcavated Hopewell burial mound circa 500-1000A.D., and one of the first Confederate memorials, 1867. Confederate spy, Lt. John Blue and his family are buried here.
The Fort Mill Ridge Trenches, Rt 50, 3 miles west of Romney, are perhaps the best preserved Civil War battle trenches in the US. They were dug 1861-2 by Union troops in an effort to guard the valley. Paved parking and interpretive signage. Open daylight to dusk, no camping.
The Potomac Eagle Scenic Rail Excursion Train, Rt 28 North, will take you on a ride through the Trough of the South Branch of the Potomac River May through Oct; travel past historic farms and eagle nests. Eagles sighted 90% of the time. Call 800-22-Eagle for time and fee schedules. Also at the train station is the Eagle's Nest Craft Shop, the craft outlet for the South Branch Artisans. Open when the train runs.
A scenic backway from Rt 50 just west of Romney, and just before the "Blue Bridge", is River Road, which parallels the South Branch River. Pass private, historic homes such as Sycamore Dale, where Lew Wallace wrote part of Ben Hur, and the county Poor Farm. 14 miles south of Rt 50 is Hampshire Park, a large picnic area, playground, bathrooms, tennis court, and ballfields.River Road, Romney. As you head west on Rt 50. leaving Romney, just before the bridge over the South Branch of the Potomac River, the road forks--right over the bridge, and left onto River Road. This road takes you past historic homes, a small French and Indian war fortand a scenic overlook where you can look down on Canadian geese and possibly spot an American bald eagle in flight. This road also follows the river and the train tracks for a bit before it enters the "Trough", a narrow gorge only accessible by train, canoe or foot. The road veers away from the river and you find you're driving through a farm studded valley, and a forest area before reaching Moorefield. Keep heading right and you'll find Rt 220, where you can turn right, back to Romney, or take a left and go to Moorefield.
River Road, Capon Bridge to Yellow Spring. Heading east on Rt 50 to Capon Bridge, there is a road just before the bridge to the right. This is a wonderful winding drive that takes you to the small town of Yellow Spring. Almost immediately, you come to a farm with buffalo, miniature horses, emu, and llamas. Go slow to take it all in...and because there is a long stretch of road with a good view, you may be able to pull-over for a bit . This road follows the Cacapon River, taking you past farms, vacation cottages, summer youth camps . Canoers are often on the river during the summer months. Deer, turtles, ducks and cranes are often seen on or near the waters edge, and evidence of beaver activity are everywhere. And for bluebells in spring, this drive is tough to beat!

Edwards Run Road/Coldstream Road, Capon Bridge to Slanesville. Heading east on Rt 50 to Capon Bridge, this road is left, just before the bridge. About 1/4 mile up the road is the Fort Edwards Visitor's Center. This is the site of Fort Edwards, a French and Indian War Museum, herb garden, and home of Farm Days, an annual event celebrating farm life on the frontier. Archeological digs have helped find the footprint of the original fort, and possibly the home of Joseph Edwards. This museum is open on weekends from the end of June to the end of October. Past the fort, the road meanders through the valley along the Capon River, and by Edward's Run Public Hunting/Fishing Area, over mountains and forests, and to the sleepy town of North River Mills and Ice Mountain. Guided hikes up Ice Mountain can be arranged. The road finally intersects with Rt 29, left to Rt 50, and right to Bloomery.