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Mountain Parkway Byway

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The Mountain Parkway Byway is a state-designated scenic byway in northern Webster County, West Virginia. Following West Virginia Route 20 for 10.4 miles (16.7 km) between the Upshur County line at Cleveland to the junction of Hodam Creak Road (WC Route 20/18) to the foot of Hodam Mountain south of Hacker Valley, the route traverses the headwaters of several mountain streams including the Right Fork Little Kanawha River, Jerry Run, and the Left and Laurel Forks of Holly River.

Mountain Parkway Backway

A related route, the Mountain Parkway Backwaystarts at the intersection of WC Rt 3 (Replete Road)and WV 20 traversing several spurs and eventualy re-enters WV 20 about 1-mile (1.6 km) south of Cleveland for a total distance (Including spurs) of 32-mile (51 km).

Spurs

  1. County Route 4 (Williams Camp Run Run) at the intersection of County Routes 1 and 1/1 leading to the Johnson Home.
  2. County Route 8 (Poling Road) to the Mollohan Mill.
  3. County Route 3/8 (Cowger Hill Road) Spicer's Orchard.
  4. County Route 20/2 (Mount Zion Road) serves as a Nearcut that conects it to CR 3.
  5. County Route 1/1 to Rt 1
  6. COunty Rt 1 to WV 20

Historic Route

Also a part ot the Mountain Parkway, the Historic Route is a backway that follows WC RT 20/13 to its intersection with WV 20 at Jerry Run, a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km).

Historic Sites

Boggs Mill Stone

Located along Webster County Route 1 and the Little Kanawha River, a large rock remains that Andrew "Andy" Boggs reportedly moved from Lewis County side of the Little Kanawha River to his mill site in the late 1800s. Boggs was a gunsmith and is also remembered throughout the area for his extraordinary physical strength. Boggs was the first to be buried on top of a hill east of the millstone. The cemetery is known as the Boggs cemetery. The story is told that during the Civil War, Andy, who was sympathetic with the Confederacy, hid from the Yankees on that hilltop. He is said to have remarked, "If one could hide from the Yankees there, surely it would be a good place to hide from the devil."

Cleveland United Methodist Church

The Cleveland United Methodist church is located on County Route 20/13 and was built in 1925. The church was in continuous operation for 67 years until 1992, when it was converted to a memorial chapel due to declining membership and a lack of finances. It continues to serve the community for funerals, special meetings, and an annual homecoming held each August.

Hacker Valley

Hacker Valley Historical Marker

Located at 38°39′09″N 80°23′01″W / 38.65250°N 80.38361°W / 38.65250; -80.38361 (Hacker Valley, West Virginia)

Main article: Hacker Valley, West Virginia

The village of Hacker Valley was named in honor of John Hacker, who reportedly took possession of a tract of land nearby by "tomahawk mark" around 1772.

Johnson Home

The Johnson home, constructed in 1886 by John N. "Squre" Johnson, is a well-preserved example of 19th Century architecture unique to the area. Mr. Johnson built some of the one-room schools of the area and served for a time as justice of the peace, earning him the nickname "Squire." A historical sign was recently erected near the home through the efforts of the Northern Webster County Improvement Council and the National Scenic Byways program. Consideration is being given to applying for its designation to the National Register of Historic Places.

Mayton Barn

The Mayton Barn is located along the Byway near the former Hacker Valley post office. It is one of the oldest barns in the area, having been constructed in the early 1900s in what is known as Mayton Bottom. The name is derived from that of a lumber company located in the area around 1900.

McCray Rocks

Also located on County Route 20/13, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from Cleveland, a sign commemorates the rocks where Union soldiers killed James McCray in 1862. A trail winds up the steep hill to the rocks themselves.

Mollohan Mill

Mollohan Mill

Located at 38°40′55″N 80°28′16″W / 38.68194°N 80.47111°W / 38.68194; -80.47111 (Mollohan Mill)

Bernard Mollohan constructed this mill on the Left Fork Holly River in 1894. It continues to be owned by the same family today through his great-granddaughter, Beth Mollohan. The mill is unusual in that the water wheel is horizontal to the water rather than vertical. The mill is was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 2, 1982, the first such listing in Webster County.

Mount Zion Church

From Wheeler it is a little less that a mile to the Mount Zion Church, which sits on an area formerly known as Moats' Point. The church was first established in 1893. The original church was destroyed by a mini tornado in 1932 and replaced by the current building in 1934.

Old Sulphur Spring

Located along the Byway at Jerry Run is the Old Sulphur Spring. During the late 1800s and early 1900s the spring provided water for the nearby Jerry Run one-room school. It is a landmark in the Jerry Run community and is still used by families during periods of drought.

Located near the spring are a shelter, picnic table, and stone fireplace. Work is being done to upgrade the old Sulphur Spring area for use as a rest stop along the Mountain Parkway Byway.

Pugh

This is the site of the former Pugh post office (1888-1911) and the Wesley Anderson Store and Grist Mill. Anderson's home and store building are still standing and in good repair. As shown by a 1906 invoice, the store carried all types of merchandise include coffins.

Sharon

At Jerry Run is the site of the Sharon post office that served the Jerry Run community from 1890 to 1900. Dr. William W. Hutchinson served two terms as postmaster. Patrick W. Bruffey, another early resident, was postmaster a short while, after having served as superintendent of Webster County Schools.


Wheeler

Lowther's Store

Located at 38°40′40″N 80°23′31″W / 38.67778°N 80.39194°W / 38.67778; -80.39194 (Lowther Store)

The Wheeler Overlook provides a panoramic view of the village of Wheeler. In the early 1900s, Wheeler was the hub of the area containing a store, post office, gristmill, jewelry repair, and photograph shop.

The store, now known as Lowther Store, was established in 1900 by John A. Hinkle. It is the oldest continuously operating store in Webster County. and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 7, 1997.

William Damute Berry

A little ways up the hill from the church we come to the William Damute Berry home place. Mr. Berry settled in this area in 1856. He was married to Hanna Laverne McCray, the daughter of Robert and Margaret McCray, original residents of Cleveland.

Natural and scenic sites

Hanging Rocks

Hanging Rocks

Within sight of Dempsey's Pottery is the interesting rock formation referred to locally as the "Hanging Rocks." The cliff extends out over and along Replete Road for approximately 100 feet (30 m). Years ago pedestrians and horseback riders sheltered under the rocks in inclement weather. The uniqueness and beauty of the rock has provided the site of an occasional wedding.

During the New Deal era when Replete Road was receiving a stone base by the Works Progress Administration, the work crew were in the process of drilling the rocks for blasting and removal. A far-sighted supervisor stopped the drilling, thus preserving a natural site.

Holly River

Webster County Routes 3 (Replete Road) and 8 (Poling Road) parallel the Left Fork Holly River for approximately 8 miles (13 km). The river provides the traveler with many panoramic views as it winds its way through hills toward the Elk River in Braxton County.

Attractions

Holly River State Park

Main article: Holly River State Park

Located along Laurel Fork Holly River is Holly River State Park, the second-largest state park in West Virginia at 8,294 acres (34 km). The park is known for its mountainous setting and contains several waterfalls. Other recreational activities such as camping, picnicking, and swimming are also possible in the park.

Jerry Run Summer Theater

Jerry Run Summer Theater

Located along West Virginia Route 20 is the Jerry Run Summer Theater. A large wooden structure containing a stage, snack bar and other amenities, it has seating for 150 people. Live Bluegrass, country, folk and gospel bands appear weekly on Friday or Saturday evenings from May through early October. The theater is owned and operated by area residents Dusty and Renee Anderson.

==Hacker Valley Grade School

Hacker Valley Grade School

The new Hacker Valley Grade School is locataed

Photo gallery from along the Mountain Parkway

Information kiosks

Three information kiosks have been built along the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway to guide travelers.

References

  1. Hacker Valley, West Virginia quadrangle (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5-Minute Series (Topographic). U.S. Geological Survey. 1967.
  2. "Google Maps: Mountain Parkway Backway Mainline". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  3. "Mountain Parkway Backway and Byway Map". Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Commerce. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  4. Pauley, Michael J. (July 1, 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Mollohan Mill" (PDF). Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Culture and History. Retrieved 24 January 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 24, 2008.
  6. Lowther, Linda (November 14, 1996). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Lowther Store" (PDF). Hacker Valley, West Virginia. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  7. Treasure Within the Mountains (The Mountain Parkway). DVD. Gauley Productions, 2005
  8. West Virginia State Parks Facilities Grid, accessed March 29, 2008
  9. "Jerry Run Summer Theater". Retrieved January 24, 2010.

See also

External links

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