Pocahontas County Historic Landmark Commission.

 

The sources provide a wealth of information about historic sites in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, identified by the Pocahontas County Historic Landmark Commission. The Commission was established to preserve and record the history of the county by identifying and documenting historic sites and buildings. A reconnaissance survey was conducted to identify historic sites in the county, review historic development, and provide a framework for further in-depth research. The survey was not intended to provide information at the level required for the National Register of Historic Places. The sites were categorized by their contribution to 13 general historic categories of the state.

Key Aspects of the Historic Sites Survey

• Volunteer Participation: The project was designed to include the participation of volunteers to perform some of the survey work, including field work and initial visits.
• Areas of Focus: The survey focused on identifying sites, reviewing historic resources, and providing a framework for further research. It is noted that little work had been done in the past to identify historic sites in the county.
• Geographic Division: The county was divided into geographic areas based on existing magisterial districts to make the survey manageable and useful for planning.
• Themes: The sites were categorized within each district according to 13 historic categories, including agriculture, commerce, and others.
• Prioritization: The sites were prioritized for immediate research activity and possible National Register or Local listing.
• Report Purpose: The report is intended as a means of reviewing the survey project and making informed decisions on where to concentrate efforts in the future.

Types of Historic Sites Identified The survey identified a variety of historic sites, including:

• Transportation:
  • Indian trails
  • The Staunton to Parkersburg Turnpike
  • The Durbin Railroad Depot and other railroad sites, including the water tower in Marlinton
• Churches and Cemeteries:
  • Many small, community churches and cemeteries.
  • Specific churches such as the Liberty Presbyterian Church, Dunmore United Methodist Church, Baxter Presbyterian Church, Hamlin Chapel, Edray United Methodist Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, and Lower “Old” Droop Church.
• Schools:
  • Numerous one and two-room rural schoolhouses
  • The Durbin School.
• Military:
  • The Droop Mountain Battlefield
  • Sites in the Droop Mountain area related to the Battle.
  • Sites related to the Hillsboro community and the Battle of Bartow
• Architecture:
  • The survey identified a number of builders or architects involved in constructing many structures in the county.
  • The Asbury Smith, Pocahontas County Courthouse
  • The Nick McCoy House
  • The Littlepage/Dassenville from Greenbrier County
  • The Harper Beard House
  • The Capt. Smith. Will Yeager House
  • The Robert Auldridge. Frank R. Hill House
  • The Frank and E.D. King House
• Other notable sites:
  • Camp Pocahontas/National Science Camp
  • The Durbin Tannery
  • The Traveller's Repose
  • Rothkugel Plantation
  • The Hevener Homestead
  • The Green Bank Academy
  • Numerous houses such as the Charles Burner House, the Isaac Moore Farm, the Campbell House, the Mc Elwee House, the Herb Sutton House, the Craig House, and more
  • The Old Log Waybright House

Specific Site Details

The sources provide detailed information on many individual sites, including:

• Camp Pocahontas/National Science Camp
  • Located 4 miles South of Bartow on Rt 28
  • Leased from the U.S. Government by Pocahontas County
  • Used as a National Science Camp and 4-H Camp
  • Established in 1933 by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and originally used for a CCC Camp
• Durbin Tannery
  • Located on Rt 92 & 250 in Frank
  • Operated as a tanning show leather facility
  • Founded in 1902 by John W. Goodsell
  • Used Hemlock bark to produce a hard leather
  • Became the largest independent tanning company in the U.S. by 1918, and then a softer leather using oak, chestnut, and quebracho
• Durbin School
  • Located on Rt 28 & 250 in Durbin
  • Was used as a school for the upper Green Bank District and later as a community center
  • Built in 1921
• Traveller's Repose
  • Located at the intersection of Rts 250, 92, 28 in Bartow
  • Originally an inn, tavern, and overnight stagecoach stop
  • The building dates back to 1866 and was surrounded by a Civil War battlefield
• Rothkugel Plantation
  • Located East of Bartow near Thornwood
  • Used as a field laboratory for forestry skills
  • Max Rothkugel, a forester, used the site to reforest the area beginning in 1921
• Hevener Homestead
• Located on Rts 28 and 92 near Arbovale
• The original house was built in 1849, and the present house was built in 1930
• Green Bank Academy
  • Located on Wesley Chapel Road in Green Bank
  • Used for Lodge Meetings
• Durbin United Methodist Church
  • Located on Church Street in Durbin
  • Built in 1906 in the Gothic Revival style
  • Had additions in 1941
• Charles Burner House
  • Located at the corner of 3rd Ave and Highland in Durbin
  • Used as a residence and boarding house
• Hevener Brethren Church
  • Located on Back Mountain, Rt 1 in Durbin
  • The oldest church of the Brethren in Pocahontas County, built in 1900, planned in 1881
  • A cemetery is located next to the building
• Bethel Church
  • Located on Back Mt. Rt 1 near Durbin
  • Has been in use since 1905
  • Has a cemetery
• Wanless Church
  • Located on Back Mt. Road near Cass
  • The lumber for the church came from the church property
  • Dedicated in 1908
• Dr. Little House
  • Located on Wesley Chapel Road in Green Bank
  • Currently a bed & breakfast
• Traveller's Repose Methodist Church
  • Located on River Hill in Bartow
  • Constructed in 1866 in the Italianate style
• Durbin Depot/Senior Citizens Center
  • Located on Rt 92 & 250 Main Street in Durbin
  • Leased from the D.N.R. and used as a senior center
• Green Bank United Methodist Church
  • Located on Wesley Chapel Road in Green Bank
  • Originally built in 1837, rebuilt in 1855
• Arbovale United Methodist Church
  • Located on Rt 92 across from intersection of Hanna & Cemetery Rds. in Arbovale
  • Land was donated in 1895
  • Built in 1899
• Liberty Presbyterian Church
  • Located on Rt. 92 in Green Bank
  • Built in 1850-1851
  • Has a Greek Temple style
• Cass Presbyterian Church
  • Located in Cass
  • Built in 1904, remodeled in 1927
• Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church
  • Located in Stony Bottom
  • The church was founded in 1884 and renamed in 1931
• Mt. Zion Church
  • Located on Hill Country Road in Marlinton
  • Land deeded in 1836
  • Built in 1858 in the Greek Revival style
• Northern Methodist Church
  • Located on Main Highway to East Cass in Cass
  • Built in 1924 in the Gothic Revival style
  • Was converted to a residence in 1978
• Kerr Memorial Chapel
  • Located on Rt 92 and 28 in Boyer
  • Built in 1903-1904 in the Gothic Revival style
• Wesley Chapel Methodist Church
  • Located in Dunmore
  • Built in 1897 and dedicated in 1925
• Henry Yeager House
  • Located on Rts 92 & 28 in Green Bank
  • Built around 1875 in a Four Square style
• Dunmore United Methodist Church
  • Located in Dunmore
  • Built in 1890-91 in the Victorian Gothic style
• Isaac Moore Farm
  • Located on Sheets Road in Dunmore
  • Built ca. 1820 in a Federal style
• Campbell House
• Located at the intersection of Stitlington & Browns Creek Road in Dunmore
• Built in 1885-1886
• Baxter Presbyterian Church
  • Located on Rt 28 in Dunmore
  • Built in 1858 in the Greek Temple style
• Burner House (Allen)
• Located in Cass
• Built ca 1880 in a Vernacular style
• June McElwee House
  • Located off Rt 28 West of Dunmore
  • Built in 1916
• Durbin Bank
  • Located on Main Street in Durbin
  • Built in 1904 in the Classical Revival style
• Old Log Waybright House
  • Located above Thornwood on the old county road
  • Built ca. 1850 in a Log style
• Herb Sutton House
  • Located on Rt 28 in Arbovale
  • Built in 1900 in a Vernacular style
• Thornwood Community Church
  • Located in Thornwood
  • Surrounded by farmland
• The Craig House
  • Located on Rt 28 East of Bartow
  • Built in 1904-04 in a Stick style
• Summers Sutton House/Joe Jonese House
  • Located on Rt. 28 in Arbovale
• Arbogast House
  • Located on Wesley Chapel Road in Green Bank
  • Built ca. 1851 in a Federal style
• John Goodwell/Kidney House
  • Located on Rt 250 & 28 in Frank
• Geo. Porter Kerr/Orlan Shears House
  • Located on Rt 28/92 near Arbovale
• Burner Barn
  • Located on the Old Staunton to Parkersburg Turnpike in Bartow
  • Built ca 1860
• Charles Cameron Burner House #1
• Located on a hill W of Bartow
• Used as a residence, inn, and Post Office during the Civil War
• Built ca 1850 in a Vernacular Farmhouse style
• Lee Burner/Keller House
  • Located in Bartow
  • Built around 1885 in a Federal Farmhouse style
• Dr. J. P. Moomau House
  • Located in Green Bank
  • Built in 1873 in an Italianate style
• Maupin-Stretch House
• Located on McCutcheon House in Green Bank
• Built in 1852 in a Federal style
• Scott Darnell House
• Located on Rt. 28 and 92 near Bartow
• Built in 1902 in a Victorian Gothic style
• Hamed House
  • Located on Rt. 92 and 28 in Green Bank
• Isaac Moore Jr House
  • Located on Rt 28 & 92 in Dunmore
• Lee Carter/Barlow Residence
  • Located in Onoto
  • Built ca 1824 in a Vernacular log style
• Duffield Cemetery
  • Located in Marlinton, unfenced graves are open to cattle
  • Several members of the Duffield family are buried in the enclosed area
• Sinking Springs
  • Located on the S.W. Mann Farm, also called the Held Moore Farm
  • Confederate soldiers are buried nearby
• Geo. P. Moore/Robert Gay House
  • Located in Edray
  • Built ca 1850 in a Victorian style

Continuing the Survey

The Historic Landmark Commission should continue the survey process, focusing on areas not yet completed. It is noted that the survey efforts should turn towards the historic districts and National Register sites listed above. Additionally, more effort should be spent researching sites identified as locally significant. Archaeological sites were not investigated in this project, and it would be beneficial to conduct a reconnaissance survey or random sampling at some time in the future to determine the possibility of sites in the county.

This information provides a detailed overview of the historic sites identified in the survey and highlights the rich history and heritage of Pocahontas County.