Gaudineer Knob in Pocahontas County, WV was named after Donald Gaudineer, one of the USFS's early rangers in the Monongahela National Forest (MNF). As a young forester, Gaudineer had been assigned to the Southern District of the recently established MNF. His headquarters at that time occupied the former Craig Lumber Company office at Thornwood.
Gaudineer was a dedicated ranger who was passionate about protecting the forests of West Virginia. He was also a skilled mountaineer and enjoyed exploring the wilderness. In 1937, Gaudineer was killed in a house fire while trying to save his children.
In the late 1930s, the USFS decided to name the prominent, but unnamed, peak in a vast wilderness in Gaudineer's memory. The knob is now known as Gaudineer Knob, and it is a popular hiking destination in the Monongahela National Forest.
The Gaudineer Scenic Area is located near Gaudineer Knob and is home to some of the oldest and most impressive trees in the forest. The area is a National Natural Landmark and is protected by the USFS.
Gaudineer Knob is a beautiful and historic place, and it is a fitting tribute to the life and work of Donald Gaudineer.
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