Places to Visit in The Eastern Panhandle of WV
80Country Roads, John Denver--WV
America The Beautiful
America is so beauitful in all her splenor and greatness. The American Indians worshipped her and all her inhabitants. It is only right that we keep this land beuatiful so I chose this song for you to play in your minds as we go on our adventure through the countryside of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. We aren't too far from the nation's Capital but far enough away nto reall understand it when they say "West By God". So keep this tune with you as you are taken on this visual journey into the countryside.
Country Roads, Take Me Home
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Out Of The City and Into The Country
Sunday is finally here! You have been waiting the whole week in excitment for those leisurely drives into the country. Everyone, even our little dog, has fun riding along in the car with the windows down in late Spring. As you go down the road your hair is blown all over the place, but you don't mind. The wind is cool and invigorating. It feels like nature is combing all the city smog and pollution out of it.
Mom always cooks something good to eat in a picnic basket for when we find a good spot to eat. This week she packed some fried chicken, salad and a great home-made apple pie. You know Mrs. Smith makes the best!
Riding along us kids play "Car Bingo". The first to find everything that is on their board wins. When we get tired of that we play "I Spy" and we just have a good time until we really get into the country then we all just look out our windows and wonder at all the fresh new things we see out there.
Finally everything is all packed and we are ready to go on our new adventure. It feels new each time we go because dad takes us to all kinds of places and we are always back before dark and bedtime. This Sunday he has decided to take us out to West Virginia. He's funny because he always makes it into a lesson to learn all we can about the places we visit. It's exciting to pretend that we were the people who lived in that place way long ago. It makes it more special to go on those trips and that is why I anticipate the Sunday drives so much.
While riding along in the car this song comes on the radio and we all start to sing with it. It's a great song about a great place that only God can make. So that is where we are headed--to the beautiful countryside of West Virginia.
Wild And Wonderful West Virginia Resources
 | Amazon Price: $18.29 List Price: $19.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $29.99 List Price: $40.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.86 List Price: $15.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.69 List Price: $21.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.63 List Price: $21.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
As We Cross into West Virginia
Crossing into West Virginia dad tells us some interesting things. He said that the Indians had used all of the state as their hunting grounds and that the first man to see what is now West Virginia was a german, white guy named John Lederer. He had a few men with him on that tripin 1669. Transportation routes were later sought out in 1671, by some guys whose names were Batts and Fallam.He also said tht as we went through Jefferson County where George Washinton's brother, Charles, founded Charles Town, that it was orfinially part of Berkely County. Finally the railrod reached Harpers Ferry where the underground rilroad was formed to free slaves in the Civil war. Dad told us that John Brown had some others with him and attacked the federal arsenal in 1869.
What a beautiful site to behold looking to the west! You can see the rolling hills of the moutains there. Breathtaking at how beautiful they are. The view is amazing. I don't see these things only in books and it is wonderful to experience this. Truly it is West By God and it is a pleasure to be able to go out of the city and really see and fill up our senses of what it really out there that man has not touched or destroyed.
Harpers Ferry Today--from Maryland side
Mill Creek
Click thumbnail to view full-size
The Southern End of Berkeley County, WV
All along the road we see lots of farmland and cornstalks. A pieces of land have low growing plants and houses are dotted throughout our ride. We come to a town named Inwood. Dad tells us that Inwood became at town In the late 1880s, The town got it's name because of a park they had there and it was in the woods--Inwood. He also told us that when the railiroad came in that some guy named Silver got some farmers together and made a co-op. They were mostly Orchards and they grew mostly apples. He even said that the Mussleman Applesauce is made there!. He said that they even had an Inwood Fair every year at the park.
He said that there was a Cumberland Valley Railroad station there that would pick up the apples and take them all over the place. He said that railroad still runs to this day.He told us that the town was originally named Gerrard.
We go thorugh that town and go over Interstate 81 and we really look like we are out in the country. After we pass a big place that has mini-golf and water park things, and some trailer houses, we look like we are in the country. Along side both sides of the road is grown over trees and a babbling brook that winds and twists and turns through the wooded area.
Hay House
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Welcome to Gerrardstown
Gerrardstown is a quaint little town. We notice the historical sign and stop to take a look at it.
There are many things to see here so we stop for the rest of the day and have our picnic here. During our visit to this town dad and mom talk to lots of people and we get lots of good stories here. On our adventure we learn about the town and how it was all planed out in 1784 by some guy named David Gerrard who was also where the the first Babptist Church west of the Blueridge mountains.There is so much history here. I loved hearing all about it and can't wait to tell all my firend about it. We have show and tell, or something like that and we tell if or where we went on the weekend. They will be happy to hear aobut this place and wish they could come here too.
It was so beautiful here as you look up and see the mountain ridge and all the green here. It is truly a smog-free and pollution-free place. Something we don't have in our big city. I could stay here forever. All the little animals and the fresh air and look at the clear sky--truly amazing.
While walking around town we learned about the place that Lincoln's body guard was buried. We learned about Propect Hill and the house next to that Oban Hall and we got to see the old church being refurbished. They call it Apple Chapel. What a funny name for a church, but it is so that it will stick in your mind for a very long time.
We got to walk through the cemetary and it was full of civil war people and even as far back and the Revolutionary War. The place is just sl full of history and beauty.
Beyond this place and into the West of North Mountain you may travel to Berkeley Springs and the Town Of Bath.
Apple Country
Click thumbnail to view full-size
The Historic People and Land
Originally Gerrardstwn was named Middletown by german immigrant by the name of John Mills, Jr.
There are two main mountains here, North Moutain and Apple Pie Ridge that goes along side of North Mountain. Apple Pie Ridge is named such for the many orchards that adorn the mountain sides. The areas was very fertile and many animals roamed the area and still do today. Many orchards are here. Cows and Horses are shown in the Summer at the Youth Fair as are Apples which is the biggest crop in our area are shown at both the youth fair and the Berkeley County fair.
One of the earliest roads made was Pack Horse Road, and it is still partially there.
Eventually the Gerrards occupied the town and it eventually changed names to Gerrardstown in 1770
Prospect Hill Plantation
Prospect Hill
Prospect Hill is a great plantation home. They operated a small store out of the house and they also raised the best beef cattle around. It is still a working farm too and is located at the bottom of North Mountain in the town of Gerrardstown. It is the last farm you see as you make your way up the side of the mountain. In the winter when the trees are bare you can see the road go up the side of it. This plantation house has four chimneys. It was owned by William Wilson who owned the 144 acres that included Gerrardstown and Back Creek Valley in 1792. On the land the remains of the Kelly Family log house is still there.
That is where during the French and Indian War those Indians masacred Kelly's family and burned the log house.
Next door you will see Oban Hall
Oban Hall
Oban Hall
Oban Hall was built by William Wilson for his children. He never lived there, but when he died he willed it to his wife.
There are numerous buildings still left standing on the properties including slave quarters.
Mount Olive Methodist School/Church
The First Black Church After Slavery Was Abolished
Most slaves after the war went to the cities to do work but eventually they came back to the small towns like Gerrardstown. Many of the women would work as house workers doing things like laundry, ironing, and cleaning for only 50 cents a day! The last person to live here left in 1967.
Historical Marker At The Top Of The Mountain
Click thumbnail to view full-size
A Great Place To Picnic
Mills Gap was the gateway to the west and was the main reason why Gerrardstown was started. When Gerrardstown was all built up in it's day it had 2 tanneries, 2 taverns, 2 general stores and many housees and a couplw of blacksmiths plantations. It is very beautiful to ride through the town now and see the North Mountain ahead of you. We sat and ate our meal while looking out over the mountain into the valley. It was breathtaking and very beautiful I could see in my mind all the houses and farmland that were once there.
Orchards at Foot Of North Mountain
The Churches and Other Houses
Among the churches that were built here the only one that is not standing is the Lutheran Church.
The Old Methodist Episcopal Church was rebuilt and now it is the United Methodist Church.
One must come out and just take a tour of the whole area to understand the beauty of it all. There are tours here, they say. One in the Springtime and one in the Fall. Oh and the colors of the leaves changing in the fall are so gorgeous.
Places To Stay and Things To Do
- West Virginia\'s Eastern Panhandle Visitor Guide, Trip Planner: WorldWeb.com
A West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle trip planner with detailed travel information -- including maps, visitor attractions and travel videos -- for West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, West Virginia, United States - Wonderment Puppet Theater
Wonderment Puppet Theater412 W. King StreetMartinsburg WV - JayDee's - Home
Official website of JayDee's Family Fun Center, located in Inwood, West Virginia. - Mountan State Association of Bed and Breekfasts
The Eastern Panhandle of WV Bed and Breakfast Association - B&Bs near Martinsburg
Martinsburg, West Virginia Bed and Breakfast and Inns directory. Wide selection Martinsburg B&Bs to choose from.
Other Places In WV
- Berkeley Springs, West Virginia- A Small Town Gem
- Seneca Rocks, WV- Great Economical Destination for Weekend Camping
Seneca Rocks, WV is a great destination for a weekend camping trip. Highly accessible and affordable, it makes for a relaxing jaunt into the great outdoors. Dog friendly. - The Best to See and Do in Southern WV
Southern West Virginia is home to some of the best historical, educational and recreational sites on the East coast. Whether you are vacationing for a couple weeks or even just a couple days you are sure... - A Day At Blackwater Falls State Park, WV
What a place of beauty is Blackwater Falls, located in Davis, West Virginia. These are said to be, the highest above ground falls in the State of WV. They drop off at 62 feet. It is called Blackwater,... - The Coal House In Mingo County WV
The Coal House, as it is called by many, was built in 1933. Sixty-five tons of coal was used in the building and it has stood an an icon ever since. It is famous all around the world and is on the National... - WILD AND WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA
There are many beautiful places all across the world. From the New York City skyline to the Hawaiian Islands, there are many eye catching sights. From Paris to Rome, the past and present co exist....
CommentsLoading...
Thank You Very Much Jerrico. All the pictures of the lanscapes are my pictures and are local.
Well done my dear and yes we live in a beautiful country, no doubt...Thanks for showing us around your state....G-Ma :o) hugs
Wow. What a powerful piece on West VA. The mountain and scenery are so beautiful. That town is a treasure that should be preserved and passed down to future generations. Why do greedy company's have to come and destroy all the safe, healthy places in our land. We will join with you to help fight to preseve some beautiful American landscape. God Bless America.
Thank You Wendy. I am glad that you were able to see this.
Enjoyed the pictures. Take more pictures of Gerrardstown,they are tearing down old houses built in the 1700's My husband took a picture of every house and building in Gerrardstown this past year and we have the one they just tore down. So get your camera and travel the roads and take pictures of old structures they are our past and may not be there in the future.
Yes I will Sandy. Thank You for stopping by.
Cool idea! That's such a neat hub. I love the country and it's amazing how much you can take it for granted. You only realise what you have when its gone. At the moment I'm travelling in Kolkata, west bengal and it's so safe and peaceful here. But I know how much I am missing the countryside back home and can't wait till I come back! Been over here for almost 3 months on business and there is no substitute for seeing family, friends and the beautiful country!
Bob ;-)
Bob,
Thank You very much for the great comments. I am glad that I filled your day with nice things.
Updates:
CARE meets with WVDEP Officials
CARE committee met with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection officials at historic Prospect Hill farm Friday, November 07, 2008. Mr. Randy Huffman, WVDEP Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Tom Clarke, Director Division of Mining and Reclamation and Mr. Dwight Given, Assistant Director, Philippi Office arrived in Gerrardstown via helicopter and visited Prospect Hill, one of the many historic homes in Gerrardstown, WV.
A committee from CARE discussed the issues of the pending quarry permit application with a power point graphic presentation. The discussion touched on the five major points that CARE is concerned about: Drinking Water, Property Values, History, Health and Safety. The current permit application is undergoing review and will probably not be complete until the spring of 2009. At that time, a public comment period will open for 30 days to allow citizen input to consider in the permit process.
The North Mountain Shale company’s application to operate a permit may not be ready for the public comment period this 2008 fall as originally anticipated. It appears that the satisfactory completion of the application may not be until the spring of 2009. The public comment period will be around that time.
While we cannot be sure that CARE has impacted this process, it appears that Continental Brick Company and North Mountain Shale Company are being more closely monitored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). This is probably a result of our efforts with the previous storm water permit that was withdrawn after the public hearing in April, 2008.
GREAT NEWS!!!!
Subject: W.Va. Supreme Court affirms quarry permit rejectionTuesday November 18, 2008W.Va. Supreme Court affirms quarry permit rejectionby The Associated PressCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Supreme Court has upheld the Department of Environmental Protection's right to reject individual quarry permits based on recreation and aesthetics issues.The unanimous ruling overturned a March 2007 Kanawha County Circuit Court decision that said DEP and later the state Surface Mine Board were wrong to reject Waco Oil and Gas' application to locate a 76-acre quarry on Browns Mountain in Pocahontas County.DEP rejected the application in 2002, saying the quarry would affect residents' use and enjoyment of their property, property values and the area's scenery. The board upheld DEP in 2003.Waco's lawyers had argued that DEP, and later the board, were wrong because DEP had to determine the entire area should be off limits to quarry operations before it could deny a permit. The lower court agreed, and instructed the board to tell Waco how to make the permit application acceptable.The Supreme Court disagreed. In an opinion released Friday, the court said DEP and the board can deny a quarry permit without having to declare an area off limits. The court also said the board did not have the authority to work with applicants to make applications more acceptable.Based on the court's reading of the state's quarry law, the Legislature did not intend for DEP to first "take on the enormous and inevitably somewhat speculative task of determining whether all future quarrying activities in an area must be categorically banned,'' Justice Larry Starcher wrote."Rather, we conclude that a case-by-cae permit approval/denial process is what the statues call for -- while reserving the 'area deletion' power to the DEP, if the agency chooses to exercise it.''A Waco spokesman declined to comment on the ruling Tuesday. The DEP did not immediately return a call seeking comment.More Articles in State News « Previous Article in State News Next Article in State News » Advertiser[See the attached file]
New Updates on bottom of hub!!!
That IS great news! Hope your end of the country stays as beautiful as the photos you shared with us. Thank you.
We are almost there:
A letter that I received in my email:
Since you are a writer....... will you Please write a letter for me to our Berkeley County Commissioners. This past Thursday a bunch of us went on record asking for a resolution against the quarry location. Below is the article in there Herald Mail newspaper. The commissioners are considering it-, but we need to get as many people to write them and make sure they know this is important. It does not have to be fancy- just say something like commissioners- we are asking for your support in signing the resolution protecting Gerrardstown & North Mountain from the proposed quarry. You are our leaders and we want you to support & protect us. Their address: County Commission of Berkeley County 400 West Stephen St Suite 201 Martinsbrug WV 25401 Thank You
best & good pictures ,
i think ,
i am unable to go there ,
you get enjoyed such beautifull , nice & good places ,
wish you to your success ,
thank you
Thank you for commetning. It is beautiful all year roun.
Beautiful pics!! Sounds like a great place. Great Hub!
dori
Fortunerep, I do thank you for taking the time to read through the whole article with pictures. I know it is quite lengthy but I wanted people to get emotionally involved with this thing. It is a great place, indeed!
I am packing now, moving there asap!
dori
LOL
Thanks for the photos, background, and info. Yes, strip-mining is a terrible, destructive thing! I hope it can be stopped!
justmesuzanne, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope it can be stopped too.
An excellent and beautifully designed hub! I loved the photos. maybe I can build one like this about my adopted country of Spain. each nation has its own beauty and every country needs to preserve the best it offers for future generations.
Ivan, I am glad that you liked it. We are still in the fight though as Sunday they had another petition to sign.
Well, Lady G, best of luck. We need people such as yourself all over this world to uphold and keep the beauty of the land for the future generations!
Ivan, Thanks!
Country is trully beautiful I hope we can preserve some of it for our future generations. Living in southern california we seem to be losing more and more of our natural resources and beautiful scenery. :(
We truly need to keep it. I remember reading about hte dust bowls in the west way back. It's is becasue we are destrying our trees which gives the rains and so foth. More people should learn about how the earth sustains itself in the middle schools and later!
I'm so thankful to God that we too live here! It absolutely is...almost Heaven!! WV!! such God beauty all around!! Blessings!
Wow, great hub, very beautiful. If you get chance sometime and travel a little further west into Berkeley Springs, WV. I have a hub on that and is worth checking out.
I have been to Berkeley Springs many times and love it there. The way the roads work around the mountain ther it takes approx an hour to get there. I wish there was a straight shot. It would only take about 15 minutes that way. Link your hub with mine if you will, please.
Thanks Lady G. You can link your hub with mine as well, I'm new so not quite sure how to to do it but here's a link: http://hubpages.com/_3sp8vb7mkz9yw/hub/Visit-Berke
I added your link.
Thank you. How do I add a link and change the wording of the link like you did?
TMM, You simply type in the words that you want to use and then click to select the text and then click on the chain link in the top right of your text box. There will be a box that comes up and you just type in or copy and paste the link in which you want to use for those words. Then click on save. If you wish to use one of your own hubs as the link--that is what the second box in the add link is for.
Another Letter is needed. Here is the e-mail that I have received:
Hi Debbie~
Isn't the summer just flying by? I am delighted we have been getting our share of rain especially compared to the last few years. I was not home yesterday when it rained here, but a friend who lives near Shepherdstown said they got a huge hail storm. A large tree even blew over in the road across from her home. Remember how we had that problem here last year. Ugh.
Since you are such a good writer - will you help out with the quarry situation and write a letter to the WV Division of Culture & History? The quarry owner is finished with the environmental part of the permit. Very soon the public comment period will be here. The permit is still being reviewed by WV Division of Culture & History. That division could do a lot to help stop this quarry. It would be beneficial if they received some letters from the public reminding them history is important here in Gerrardstown. We are unique and special here. There are not many villages like Gerrardstown left in WV. If the quarry comes in, Gerrardstown will be lost as we know it. I think all the large landowners will give up and sell to the quarry. Then most people believe they will move the whole plant here. This is what everyone has been telling us. They will have huge smoke stacks here puffing bad air.
If you can,please write a letter- and copy one to Susan Pierce at the same address. Your letter should be about history- since that is the main function of this department.
Thank you Debbie! Let me know your thoughts on this. Wendy
Mr. Randall Reid-Smith, Commissioner
West VA Division of Culture & History
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E
Charleston, WV 25305
Susan Pierce Deputy State historic Preservation Officer
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Super keen neato, Lady G! =)
Glad it's working out...by the way, your avatar...it's..nice...but..may cause epilepsy.
OK I figured it out, you're hub is now linked with my Berkeley Springs hub. Thanks for all your help.
Hello 'Lady Guinevere'
This is a wonderful hub and I've enjoyed reading it as it betrays such beauty and passion for the countryside. Such as brilliant read.
Breaking news- Public comment period to open
CARE has just been notified that the Public Comment period for the expansive industrial shale quarry/strip mine has been announced. This is our chance to STOP The Quarry from destroying North Mountain.
The public comment period is set to begin with comments received through April 4. A newspaper advertisement should be published next week with more details. It has not been confirmed yet, but we are told that a public hearing is scheduled for April 14 at 7 PM at the Mountain Ridge Intermediate School at 2691 Gerrardstown Road.
Care will be hosting several community meetings to help inform residents of what they can do to stop this disaster. Your voice needs to be counted. Help us to start spreading the message.
Each one of us must individually let the West VA DEP know that we do not want to put our quality of lives at risk.
SAY NO to the INDUSTRIAL QUARRY MINE
On the 422 acre former Carr Farm-Obanhall
visible for miles on Rt 51
North Mountain taken down by the truck load.
Is this the Future Home of a
LANDFILL on Rt. 51???
DO YOU VALUE YOUR WATER QUALITY?
DO YOU VALUE YOUR AIR QUALITY?
DO YOU VALUE YOUR PROPERTY VALUE?
We look forward to working together to STOP MINING FROM Destroying our area. There is too much at risk. Go to our web site www.northmountain.org
I will be back in touch with you soon to let you know of the dates & times of the community meetings we will be scheduling.
Best regards,
Wendy
great news for a great state. I have always enjoyed my visits to WV. Love it and her people too. Many have migrated to where I live to stay out of the coal mines. Terrible tragedy there this week, my heart goes out to all those people.
ralwus, Thanks for visiting. Yes it is a terrible thing with the coal mines. I don't know if you read the whole hub, but we are trying to get a strip mine from being here on my mountain too. It's just not good to destroy the beautiful and historical land around this area. They were booted out of Virginia. Virginia is just 10 minutes drive down the mountain range, if you could go through that way. They just wanted to do the same thing there on the same mountain. If Virginia booted them out then we can't see why we would let them do it here.
Just updated the We Are Still In Battle with the latest e-mail I received today.
I love history of allsorts, so this was a real treat. Your dad must have been quite a guy., explaining things as you travelled.
The modern mining question is so difficult, so much of our beautiful planet is already destroyed. We need to all do our bit at trying to preserve nature,. Thank you for an awesome hub xx
Dim Flaxenwick,
Thanks for visiting and the enjoyment that I passed n in the history of this area. I am going to go to the NorthMountain site right after I type this up to see if they made any conclusions. It has been a while since the last Public Comment period.
I did this from a view of a child. This was not my dad that helped me but I did lots of research in this and learned lots myself of this area.
We are still waiting for the WVDEP's answer to the mining permit. July 20, 2010
Cleaned up, re arranged and information added as to what to do and where to stay. Enjoy your Stay in Wild and Wonderful WV--anytime of the year! Fall is coming up and you will want to be here when the trees become bright and beautiful.
The countryside is really beautiful Lady G. It would be nice to drive through there one day.
SweetiePie, Thanks for visiting my part of the world.
Yes, wonderful pictures. You are close to the Mason/Dixon line. my pics were from a historic site, most are south of you. Them are great pictures though. I loved the winter scene with the house and your 4th picture, the back road. It's cool, because I have been through 33 states, no lie. West Virginia is tops. Maybe its cause I am from here, but I spent 4 years in Arizona. Pretty but hotter than a ^%$%&(()). To hot for me. lol I bet you all have good applebutter up there. Your close to Baltimore, DC, Pittsburgh, ect. That is a good spot.
Yep and I just started making my own applebutters this year. We are near to Winchester, Va as well. Thanks for stopping by.
I have been to West Virginia a few times and love it. Nice hub and I especially enjoyed all the photos!
Mystery Planet, So nice to have you visit and love my pictures.
Great hub Debbie! As a born and raised 'West by God' Virginian I'd say you covered this subject better than most travel brochures :) John Denver once said "The 2 most beautiful places in the U.S. are West Virginia and Colorado" He said the 2 states are practically identical in their beauty except Colorado's mountains are taller. I enjoyed reading very much. Thanks!
Thanks Kim
I had to laugh when I saw "Apple Pie Ridge" because I've known about for years. (Yes, it IS a funny name for a place!) A Morris family once lived there that my friend Glenda was hoping was HER Morris line. It wasn't, but we both thoroughly researched it for awhile!
The name Gerrard is also quite familiar! It's hard not to run across them at some point if your ancestors were early settlers in that part of Virginia, which many of mine were. In fact, I'm distantly related to the Gerrards, but apparently TOO distant to take up space in my database. When I looked for them just now, I couldn't find any under any of several spelling variations, so I must've deleted them at some point.
Anyhoo, GREAT pix and a GREAT hub! I was right there in the back seat with you!
Voted up, useful AND awesome! ;D
I think the other spelling was Gerrett or Gerratt.
That was one, yes.
Try this Jamagenee: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvberkel/
Jerrico Usher 3 years ago
That was one informative but well built hub!