So Where Are the Big Levels?

 

The Big Levels: A Landscape of History and Significance

The Big Levels, a prominent feature within the narratives concerning the Midland Trail, emerges as a region rich in historical significance and geographical distinctiveness. The sources offer insights into its characteristics, its role in shaping the region's history, and the perspectives of those who traversed its expanse.

A Unique Terrain: "Levels" Amidst Mountains

• The sources depict the Big Levels as a vast expanse of relatively flat land bordering the Greenbrier River for over a hundred miles, contrasting sharply with the surrounding mountainous terrain.
• While termed "levels," they are more accurately described as terraces, starting as narrow strips and gradually broadening to a width of fifteen to twenty miles where the Midland Trail intersects them.
• This unique topography distinguishes the Big Levels from the typical rugged landscapes of West Virginia, making it an area suitable for settlement and agriculture.

A Corridor for Conflict: Native American Raids and Colonial Expansion

• The Big Levels, due to their strategic location and accessibility, served as a key passageway for Native American war parties traveling east from the Ohio Valley.
• The sources highlight the vulnerability of settlements in the Big Levels to Native American raids, citing the captivity of Hannah Dennis in 1761 and Cornstalk's retaliatory raids following her escape.
• These raids underscore the contested nature of the Big Levels, reflecting the ongoing struggles between Native Americans defending their territories and European colonists seeking to expand westward.

A Crossroads of History: Stories Embedded in the Land

• The Big Levels hold a central place in the historical narratives woven throughout the sources.
• They are described as the site of early settlements, including Donnelly's Fort, and as the scene of conflicts between Native Americans and colonial forces.
• The sources recount personal anecdotes and family histories tied to the Big Levels, such as the story of William Price, a debtor who sought refuge there and eventually received a land grant after the Revolution.
• These narratives emphasize how the Big Levels, as a geographical feature, became intertwined with the lives and experiences of those who inhabited the region.

A Stage for Future Exploration: The Allure of the Unseen

• The sources hint at the potential for further exploration and discovery within the Big Levels, referencing possible prehistoric ruins near the mouth of the Guyan River.
• The author's fascination with the region's geology and its connection to mineral springs suggests a deeper layer of history embedded within the landscape.
• This sense of the unknown adds to the allure of the Big Levels, inviting further investigation into its hidden stories and connections to the past.

The Big Levels, as depicted in the sources, represent more than just a geographical feature. They serve as a stage for historical events, a testament to human resilience, and a reminder of the complex interactions between cultures that shaped the development of West Virginia.