Cass is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community on the Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 38 at the 2020 census. The community, founded in 1901, was named for Joseph Kerr Cass, vice president and cofounder of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company.
Cass was created in 1901 as a company town for those who worked for West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, logging the nearby Cheat Mountain. The cut logs were brought by rail to the town, where they were processed for use by paper and hardwood-flooring companies throughout the United States. Cass's skilled laborers, who worked in the mill or the locomotive repair shop, lived with their families in 52 white-fenced houses, built in orderly rows on a hill south of the general store.
The logging railroad at Cass was one of the steepest and most challenging in the world. It used a series of switchbacks and helper locomotives to climb the mountainside. The railroad was also used to transport passengers and freight to and from the town.
Cass thrived during the early 1900s, but the timber industry began to decline in the 1940s. The sawmill was sold to the Mower Lumber Company in 1943, and the mill was shut down permanently in 1960. The railroad was also shut down, and the town of Cass fell into decline.
In 1962, the state of West Virginia purchased 11 miles of the Cass Scenic Railroad and established the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The park has since been expanded to include over 7,000 acres of land and 11 miles of railroad track. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a popular tourist destination, and it offers visitors a chance to experience the history of Cass and the lumber industry in West Virginia.
Today, the town of Cass is a small, quiet community. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is the main attraction in town, but there are also a few other businesses, such as a general store, a restaurant, and a few gift shops. Cass is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping in the surrounding mountains.
No comments:
Post a Comment