OM8 No. 100240018
NPS Form 10-900
IOct. 1990)
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United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form
This form is tor use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the
Nabional Register of Historic Places Registretion Fom (National Register Bulletin l a ) . Complete each item by marking "x" in the appmpriate box or
by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "NIA for "not applicable." For functions,
architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional
entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.
1. Name of Property
historic name
Hopkins Mountain Hiatoric District
other nameslsite number
2. Location
& number access via Forest Service Road 139, Hopkine Mountain RoaQnot for publication
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city or town Alvon, 4 miles west of SR 92 north of Alvon-Blue Bend-Anthony El.vicinity . .
Road, Count Road 1612
state WestVirginia
code 8V
mu,
Greenbrier
- - code 025 zip code NA
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3. StatelFederal Agency Certification
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As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certrfy that this Wmmination
C] request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of
Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 80. In my opinion. the property
wmeets
does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant
0 nationally C] statewide @lbAly.(0 See continuation sheet for additional comments.)
not meet the National Register criteria.
(0 See continuation sheet for additional
Daie
I
State or Federal agency and bureau
4. National Park Service Certification
I hereby certify that the property is:
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entered in the National Register.
See continuation sheet.
C] determined eligible for the
National Register
0See continuation sheet.
determined not eligible for the
National Register.
removed from the National
Register.
U other, (explain:)
Signature of the Keeper
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Date of Act~on
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Hopkins Mountain Historic District
Greenbrier County, WV
Name of Property
County and State
5. CIansification
Ownership of Property
Category of Propay
Number of Resources within Property
(Do nat include previously listed resources in the count.)
(Check only one box)
(Check as many boxes as apply)
0 building(s)
El district
0 site
El $ructure
0 object
C] private
0 public-local
0 publicBtate
SJ public-Federal
Contributing
2
1
Noncontributing
buildings
sites
structures
9
objects
5
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Number of contributing.r e s o u r c previously listed
in the National Register
Name of related multiple property listing
(Enter " N I A if property is not part of a multiple property listing.)
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6. Function or Use
Historic Functions
(Enter categories from instructions) , .
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Current Functions
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Industry. extraction
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(Enter categories frorninstructions)
Landscape, natural feature
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Total
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~andscape, natural feature
r
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~raGsportation: pehes trian-related
r
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r?
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Transportation, road-related
7. Description
Architectural CIassification
(Enter categories from instructions)
Craftsman
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Materials
(Enter categories from instructions)
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;
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;
:<.?'irj\', f&$i&kn.
..k.r
a:
walls
other
Narative Description
(Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)
-~&ncrete
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.+ . ' ?
...,.. -",-.
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'4
wood. weatherboard
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)
~ & k i n sMountain Historic D i s t r i c t
Name of Pmpeny
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8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria -.-. -
Greenbrier County, WV
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County and State
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(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the critena qualifying the property
for National Reg~sterlist~ng.)
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. ,'Areas of Significance
(Enter categories tmm instructions)
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Transportation
Property is associated with events that have made
a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history.
r r
M i l i tarv
Social History
Indus try
Property is associated with the lives of
significant in our past.
Property embodies the distinctive characteristics
of a type, period, or method of construction or
represents the work of a master, or possesses
high artistic values, or represents a significant and
distinguishable entity whose components lack
individual distinction.
Property has yielded, or is likely to yield,
information important in prehistory or history.'
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Criteria Considerations
:.
a -
(Mark "x" In all the boxes that apply.)
:
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0A
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1867 1935
r
7
7
r n
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Period of Significance
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owned by a religious institution or used for
religious purposes.
Significant Person
(Complete if Criterion B is marked above)
B removed from its original location.
17 C
a birthplace or grave.
fl D
a cemetery.
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Cultural Affiliation
E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
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,
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F a commemorative property.
0G
less than 50 years of age or achieved significance
within the past 50 years.
Narrative Statement of Significance
(Explain the significance of the p r o m on one or more continuation sheets.)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibiiography
(Cite the books, amcles, and other sources used In preparing th~sform on one or more contlnuation sheets.)
Previous documentation on file (NPS):
preliminary determination of individual listing (36
CFR 67) has been requested
C]previously listed in the National ~ q i s t e r
previously determined eligible by the National
Register
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Primary location of additional data:
0 State Historic Preservation Office
0 Other State agency
@ Federal agency
0 Local government
0 University
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a recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey
#
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recorded by Historic American Engineering
Record #
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Name of repository:
a
- Monongahela National Forest O f f i c e , Elkins
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d
Hopkins Mountain Historic D i s t r i c t
Greenbrier County. WV
Name ot Property
County and State
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of Property
lo5acres
<-
UTM References
''
(Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.)
1 1 1 1
Zone
1
111111 1
1111111
Eastina
Northina
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Easting
Northing
3
w
Zone
1111111 11111111
411)
@ See continuation sheet
Verbal Boundary Description
(Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.)
Boundary Justification
(Explain why the boundaries were selected on a cof?!n,?on
sh9.)
11. Form Prepared By
namenitle Rebecca M. Rogers
Historic Preservation consultant
organization Rebecca M. Roners
city or town
Young s town
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ddte.
10-29-19.93
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state
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zip code
Ohio
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44514
Additional Documentation
Submit the following items with the completed form:
Continuation Sheets
Maps
A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.
A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.
Photographs
>
*
~.
Representative black and white photographs of the property.
Additional items
(Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items)
Property Owner
(Complete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.)
name
city or town
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Monongahela National Forest
E l kins
mteWest Virginiap code
26241
Papetwork Reduction Act Statement This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate
properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to lii propeft@ and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain
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(16
' U . S . ~470 470 SSqJ,
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Edimafd B~daVSUtement:Public reporting.b u ~ f o r c t b i lomi
s
is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regafding this burden estimate or any W X X t
of thii form to the Chief, Administratbe Services Division, NWnal Park Service, P.O. Box 3717, Washington. DC 20013.7127; and the Office of
Management and Budget. Papennark Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503.
United States Department of the Intarlor
National Park Servlce
National Register of Hlstorlc
Continuation Sheet
Section number
Page 1
of 8
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Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t
Greenbrier Co.,
W
OESCRIPTION
H o o k i n s M o u n t a i n i s t h e s o u t h e r n end o f Slabcamo M o u n t a i n a t t h e southernmost end o f
Plonongahela N a t i o n a l F o r e s t .
The d i s t r i c t i s e l i g i b l e f o r t h e N a t i o n a l R e g i s t e r
u n d e r c r i t e r i a A f o r i t s p o r t r a y a l o f t h e m u l t i p l e u s e s o f a t e r m i n a l knob o f a
mountain r i d g e .
I t i s s i g n i f i c a n t for i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o the social h i s t o r y of the
Anthony C r e e k - G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r r e g i o n .
H o o k i n s Mountain i s t h e s i t e o f an i m p o r t a n t
m o u n t a i n t r a n s p o r t a t i o n r o u t e l o c a l l y known as t h e C i v i l War T r a i l o r t h e F a l l i n g
I t a l s o is t h e s i t e o f a l o g g i n g tramwayl an e a r l y method o f t i m b e r
Sorings T r a i l .
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n u t i l i z e d on s i t e s where access b y r a i l r o a d was d i f f i c u l t o r n o t
f i n a n c i a l l y feasible.
The s i t e i s i m p o r t a n t t o t h e h i s t o r y o f Monongahela N a t i o n a l
O f a l l the f i r e
F o r e s t as t h e one o f f o u r f i r e t o n e r s i t e s r e m a i n i n g i n t h e f o r e s t .
th i K
tower S W Q
s - 0I
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e c~
e t a i n ~ t h e f X ~ ~ 6 g - a r + & w - b + - - ? b - e ~
M o u n t a i n Tower Road ( F o r e s t S e r v i c Road 139) t h e f i r e tower and t h e f i r e m a n ' s
r e s i d e n c e were a l l c o n s t r u c t e d b y t h e members o f Camp h l v o n o f t h e C i v i l i a n
C o n s e r v a t i o n Coros ( C C C ) i n 1935.
The s i t e i n c l u d e s :
Buildings:
fireman's residence
or ivy
Structures:
H o o k i n s f l o u n t a i n Toner Road
t h e C i v i l War T r a i l
Sites:
l o g g t n g tramway
Non-contr i b u t i n g e l enents:
none
The t r a i l l o c a l l y known a s t h e C i v i l War T r a i l c r o s s e s Hookins Mountain j u s t b e l o w
t h e oeak.
T h i s f o o t o a t h t r a v e l s f r o m t h e Peach O r c h a r d Ridge Road near S t a t e Road 11
e a s t o f F a l l i n g S o r i n g s (Renick P o s t office), t r a v e l i n g s o u t h e a s t a c r o s s t h e n o r t h end
o f Peach O r c h a r d R i d g e and Hookins Plountain! a t t h e s o u t h e r n end o f slab cam^
flountainl
t o Dauson Run and t h e v a l l e y o f L i t t l e Creek n e a r i t s j u n c t i o n w i t h Anthony
Creek.
O r i g i n a l l y t h e t r a i l c o n t i n u e d a l l t h e way t o t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r a t F a l l i n g
Sorinqs.
T h i s h i s t o r i c d i s t r i c t i n c o r p o r a t e s o n l y l a n d w i t h i n Monongahela ~ a t i o n a l
Forest.
T h i s i n c l u d e s a 2 0 - f o o t m a r g i n on each s i d e o f t h e t r a i t a o ~ r o x i m a t e l4~. 2
m i l e s l o n g ' o r 20.3 a c r e s .
fluch o f t h e t r a i l f o l l o w s two w e l l - f o r e s t e d s t e e p
hollows.
I n t h e l a t e e i g h t e e n t h and e n t i r e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y r t h e t o o o f t h e r i d g e
was ooen l a n d w i t h s e t t l e d farms o f f i e l d s and o r c h a r d s .
Since ourchase by
flonongahela N a t i o n a l F o r e s t i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 3 0 s ~t h e t o o o f t h e knob and Peach O r c h a r d
R i d g e have r e f o r e s t e d .
I t now has mature d e c i d u o u s t r e e s c o v e r i n g most o f t h e r o u t e .
The t r a i l i s a s i n g l e o e r s o n - w i d t h f o o t o a t h .
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Unlted State8 Department of the Interlor
National Park Service
National Register of Hlstorlc
Continuation Sheet
Section number
Page 2
of 8
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Hopkins Mountain Historic District
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Greenbrier Co., WV
T h e t r a m w a y used for logging timber on Hopkins flountain is located on t h e east s i d e
o f R o c k y Run. It oarallels t h e run, beyinning 6800 feet (1.3 miles) north o f t h e
Alvon-Blue Bend-Anthony Road, County Road 16/2. It e n d s above t h e Y in Rocky Run,
2.25 m i l e s from t h e beqinning o f t h e the Forest S e r v i c e Road 139, also known a s t h e
H o o k i n s flountain Tower Road. T h e tram is about 4 0 0 feet east o f t h e Forest S e r v i c e
Road. Both t h e upper a n d lower e n d s o f t h e tramway h a v e eroded or been demolished.
T h e t r a m w a y bed is constructed o f locally gathered rocks. Erosion on t h e stream s i d e
h a s e x o o s e d t h e rocks. T h e bed w a s established on t h e top o f the existing g r a d e with
l i t t l e alteration o f t h e existing terrain. It is about 4 feet wide. The bed o f t h e
t r a m w a y w a s built by Kendall Dieter Lumber Company in 1908.
T h e --H o o k-in s flountain --Tower
Road (Forest
Service Road 139) was constructed
in 1 9 3 5 b y
--t h e m e m b e r s o f Camp Alvon o f t h e Civilian Conservation Corps. It is a narrow, 18foot right-of-way with gravel surface. I t s most remarkable features a r e t h e frequent
cobblestone-lined catch basins that feed steel culverts that pass under the road,
e m p t y i n g into t h e drainage o f Rocky Run. T h e design o f the road and its c u l v e r t s is
typical o f road construction undertaken by t h e Civilian Conservation C o r p s in
n o n o n g a h e l a National Forest.
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T h e H o o k i n s flountain Tower Road led to t h e Hopkins flountain Fire Tower with fireman's
residence. All t h e s e facilities a l s o were constructed by members o f t h e Civilian
Conservat ion C o r p s at Camp A1 von
T h e f i r e tower, dismantled in 1979, was sited at t h e center o f a circular r o a d
turnaround. Only t h e four c o n c r e t e oiers o f t h e tower and t h e bottom step remain.
T h e s i t e is mown g r a s s with a cleared view t o t h e east across Little Creek a n d Beaver
Lick Rountain. T o t h e west is t h e fireman's residence and privy.
.
T h e 14' x 20' gabled-roof residence is a bay wide and single bay deep. It h a s a
c o n c r e t e pad foundation that a l s o is t h e floor o f t h e full width front porch. T h e
b u i l d i n g h a s corner boards, fascia, exposed r o o f rafters and rake boards. T h e
e x t e r i o r s i d i n 9 is c l a p b o a r d s originally painted brown: the trim w a s painted cream.
T h e front porch h a s two Tuscan piers s u ~ p o r t i n q an exposed gable-end r o o f rafter.
T h e b u i l d i n g interior is fully symmetrical except for a stove pipe on t h e west, a
"kitchen" cabinet at t h e southwest end and a corner closet at the northwest corner.
T h e interior w a l l s a n d ceiling a r e clad in beaded pine vertical boards with glossy
varnish. T h e wood floor is covered with a linoleum ru9. Windows a r e 111 double-hung
s a s h , n o w c o v e r e d with plywood on t h e exterior. All original elements o f t h e
s t r u c t u r e a r e intact except for replaced gutters and an asohalt roof that r e p l a c e d
t h e original wood shingles. T h e building interior and exterior is in near p r i s t i n e
preservation. S t a n d a r d i z e d original drawings for t h e building survive at t h e
n o n o n y a h e l a National Forest O f f i c e in Elkinst WV. They note the design o f t h e
b u i l d i n g from January, 1934, with no mention o f a designer. The building w a s
Unlted Stater Department of the Interior
National Park Servlce
National Reglster of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number
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8
Page 3 of 8
Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t
G r e e n b r i e r Co.,
UV
c o n s t r u c t e d b v t h e C i v i l i a n C o n s e r v a t i o n Corps.
N o r t h o f t h e r e s i d e n c e i s a wooden board-and-batten p r i v y w i t h g a b l e d r o o f .
This
modest wooden b u i l d i n g has p r o j e c t ~ n gw a l l headers and r i d g e p o l e .
The door i s on
t h e g a b l e end: e a s t and west s i d e s have wooden l o u v e r s .
The r o o f has been r e p l a c e d
w i t h c o r r u g a t e d f i b e r g l a s s t o admit l i g h t .
The p r i v y i s t h e same d e s i g n a s t h e
s i n g l e p r i v i e s a t B l u e Bend R e c r e a t i o n Area.
L i k e them, i t was c o n s t r u c t e d b v t h e
C i v i l i a n C o n s e r v a t i o n Corps.
SIGNIFICANCE
H o ~ k i n sR o u n t a i n D i s t r i c t q u a l i f i e s f o r t h e N a t i o n a l R e q i s t e r under c a t e g o r y A as an
C
)
I
- w C 4 \ s b i#3 - b A $ ~ i icalllt--f
examoles o f t h e m u l t i ~ l euses o f a t e r m i n a l knob o f a mountain r i d g e :
a major
r e g i o n a l t r a i l , an e a r l y l o g g i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n r o u t e and a f i r e m a n ' s r e s i d e n c e w i t h
access r o a d and f i r e t o w e r s i t e .
The t r a i l , l o c a l l y c a l l e d t h e C i v i l War T r a i l , was
u s e d i n 1863 f o r t h e r a p i d r e t r e a t o f t h e 6 4 t h V i r g i n i a B a t t a l i o n a f t e r t h e B a t t l e o f
Droop R o u n t a i n .
The l o g g i n g tramway was c o n s t r u c t e d i n 1908 and used f o r t i m b e r i n g
o f H o ~ k i n si7ountain between 1908 and t h e 1920s. The f i r e m a n ' s r e s i d e n c e , access r o a d
and t o w e r were c o n s t r u c t e d i n 1935.
A
The C i v i l War T r a i l
The C i v i l war T r a i l h a s o r e - h i s t o r i c r o o t s , s u b s t a n t i a t e d by a p r e h i s t o r i c I n d i a n
s i t e j u s t west o f t h e H o p k i n s R o u n t a i n F i r e Tower s i t e a t t h e n o r t h end o f Peach
Orchard Ridqe ( o u t s i d e t h e d i s t r i c t ) .
L o c a l r e s i d e n t s used t h e r o u t e d u r i n g h i s t o r i c
t i m e s when w a l k i n g was t h e p r i n c i ~ a lmeans o f t r a v e l .
The t r a i l was t h e most
f r e q u e n t l y used r o u t e from t h e A l v o n v i c i n i t v o f t h e Anthony Creek v a l l e y t o F a l l i n g
S o r i n g s ( R e n i c k Post O f f i c e ) on t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r .
T h i s t r a i l was e s t a b l i s h e d as a s h o r t - c u t f r o m t h e Anthony Creek V a l l e y near p r e s e n t day 4 l v o n t o F a l l i n g S p r i n g s on t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r .
The t r a i l e l i m i n a t e d t h e need
t o pass a r o u n d Peach O r c h a r d R i d g e and Gunpowder Ridge t o t h e . j u n c t i o n o f Anthony
Creek w i t h t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r , t h e n t u r n n o r t h t o F a l l i n g S p r i n g s .
This short-cut
saved many m i l e s o f w a l k i n g .
D u r i n g most o f t h e y e a r s o f i t s use, t h e t r a i l p r o v i d e d
a t r a n s p o r t a t i o n r o u t e t o t h e m o u n t a i n t o o farm r e s i d e n t s when t h e mountain r i d g e was
c o v e r e d i n f a r m f i e l d s and o r c h a r d s b e f o r e t h e s o i l was d e o l e t e d .
Also, as r e c e n t l y
a s t h e 1?30s, t h e passage a l o n g h t t r o n v Creek was e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t from L i t t l e
I t i n v o l v e d f o r d i n g Anthony Creek and f o l l o w i n g a
Creek t o t h e v i l l a g e o f h t h o n y .
n a r r o w , u n m a i n t a i n e d h o r s e t r a c k t h r o u g h a h o l l o w , t h e Narrows o f Anthony C r e e k ) and
a c r o s s Peach O r c h a r d R i d q e .
The r o a d was improved i n t h e l a t e 1930s when t h e
C i v i l i a n C o n s e r v a t i o n Corps r e c o n s t r u c t e d t h e roadbed and t h e s t a t e o f West V i r g i n i a
b u i l t a b r i d g e a t t h e f o r d o f Anthony Creek j u s t upstream f r o m B l u e Bend.
United Statea Department of the Intarlor
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number
8
Page 4 of 8
Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t
G r e e n b r i e r Co,. WV
The t r a i l g a i n e d i t s name and n o t o r i e t y when i t was used b y t h e V i r g i n i a 2 6 t h
B a t t a l i o n under t h e command o f L t . Colonel George Hatthew Edgar f o r i t s r e t r e a t from
Drooo H o u n t a i n on November 6 and 7 1 1863. Edgar p r o b a b l y was d i r e c t e d t o t h e t r a i l
b y members o f h i s b a t t a l i o n who were from t h e Alvon area.
Edgar, whose t r o o p s had
been h e l d i n r e s e r v e p r o t e c t i n g t h e r o a d from H i l l s b o r o t o F a l l i n g S p r i n g s s was c u t
o f f f r o m t h e main C o n f e d e r a t e A r m y d u r i n g t h e heavy a s s a u l t on t h e C o n f e d e r a t e l e f t
f l a n k on t h e a f t e r n o o n o f November 6 t h .
Surrender was immanent w i t h o u t a r o u t e f o r
r e t r e a t b y t h i s b a t t a l i o n p i n n e d a g a i n s t t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r and t h e f o r e s t
w i l d e r n e s s o f S l a b Camp Mountain.
Following the o l d r o a d t o F a l l i n g Springs, t h e
b a t t a l i o n c r o s s e d t h e r i v e r and ascended on t h e narrow b u t w e l l - t r a v e l l e d f o o t p a t h
i n t o t h e v a l l e y o f L i t t l e Creek and Anthony Creek. When Edgar a r r i v e d a t S a l t Pond
M o u n t a i n i n G i l e s County t o r e . j o i n h i s commander Genera1 John E c h o l s t t h e l i e u t e n a n t
c o l o n e l e a r n e d h i g h commendation
E c h.o.l s because t h e b a t t-a- l i o n had a r r i v-.e.--so
-.--from
-a u i c k l y and i n s u c h - f i n e c o n d i t i o n .
Edgar remarked t h a t h i s men had l e d h i m a c r o s s
obscure c o u n t r y t r a i l s .
Years l a t e r , Edgar remarked t h a t t h e e x p e r i e n c e h a d been one
o f t h e most t r v i n 7 , o f h i s w a r t i m e c a r e e r .
--
--
-
The L o g g i n g Tramway
The d i s t r i c t a l s o g a i n s s i g n i f i c a n c e from i t s a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t i m b e r i n g ~ r a c t i c e s ~
e s p e c i a l l y t h e s u r v i v a l o f 'a.bed f o r a tramway used t o convey saw l o g s down t h e
m o u n t a i n t o t h e boom a t Athony Creek and Rocky Run.
The tramway was used from about
1908 u n t i l t h e 1 9 2 0 ~i n
~ a t l e a s t two, oerhaps t h r e e p e r , i o d s o f t i m b e r i n g on Hopkins
Rountain.
I n Auqust, 19071 W i l l i a m and n a r y S p i t z e r conveyed t h e t i m b e r on 220 a c r e s o f l a n d
b o r d e r i n g Rocky Run on Hookins Hountain t o t h e K e n d a l l D i e t e r Lumber Company.
The
82200 t r a n s f e r r e d t i m b e r r i g h t s f o r one y e a r , gave p e r m i s s i o n t o c o n s t r u c t a tramway
a l o n g Rocky Run l a n d t h e n known as t h e Bowen Place, and c o n f i r m e d t h a t t i m b e r i n g
w o u l d d e s t r o y no f r u i t t r e e s on Peach Orchard Ridge.
A t the time o f the transfer of
t i m b e r * i t a p p e a r s t h a t t h e S p i t z e r s s t i l l l i v e d on t o p o f Peach O r c h a r d R i d g e and
h a d n o t y e t moved t o t h e v a l l e y on t h e n o r t h w e s t s i d e o f Rocky Run and Anthony Creek
(now p a r t o f B l u e Bend R e c r e a t i o n Area).
BY 19201 t h e S p i t z e r s l i v e d on t h e n o r t h
s i d e o f t h e Anthony-Blue Bend Road w i t h a frame b a r n on t h e s o u t h s i d e o f t h e road.
A t t h a t t i m e , t h e tramway was a g a i n used f o r t i m b e r i n g H o ~ k i n sflountain.
T i m b e r i n q a l o n g Rocky Run and Anthony Creek removed oak and c h e s t n u t oak from t h e
h i g h , d r i e r l a n d w i t h w h l t e p i n e taken c l o s e r t o t h e v a l l e y s .
According t o Russell
F e r r e n c e , who bought t i m b e r and l a n d i n t h ~ sarea, Rocky Run was t i m b e r e d a t l e a s t
t w i c e and p e r h a p s t h r e e t i m e s b e f o r e he purchased t h e l a n d i n 1934-35 f o r t h e F o r e s t
Serv~ce.
Tramways were an e f f i c i e n t way o f b r i n g i n g saw l o g s down a h i l l s i d e .
The f l t . Hopkins
tramwavt a c c o r d i n g t o d e s c r i p t i o n s t o l d b y Lee Yates t o h i s daughter B e t t y Hughest
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Servlce
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number
Page
Greenbrier Co.,
Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c District
WV
r a n f r o m j u s t west o f t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e f i r e tower t o near t h e Alvon-Blue BendAnthony Road.
Tha l o g s were c o l l e c t e d a l o n g Anthony Creek a t a boom c a l l e d a s p l a s h
I t h e l d t h e ' l o g s u n t i l t h e g a t e was opened and t h e y f l o a t e d downstream t o a saw
dam.
m i l l a t R o n c e v e r t e , on t h e G r e e n b r i e r R i v e r below Lewisburg.
A tramway was a p r i m i t i v e r a i l r o a d .
The roadbed was l e v e l e d by b u i l d i n g up r o c k fill
t o make a l e v e l c o u r s e .
On t h i s f i l l were s e t two t r a c k s c o n s t r u c t e d o f r o u g h c u t
timber.
Each t r a c k h a d . t w o wooden members l a i d s i d e - b y - s i d e w i t h a t h i r d wooden
member l a i d on t o p l c o v e r i n g t h e j o i n t o f t h e two l o w e r members.
The wooden members
o f t e n were l o n g " 2 x 4 ' s " .
A four-wheeled wagon r a n on t h e t r a c k .
The wagon had h o r s e
power i n f r o n t w i t h t h e d r i v e r r i d i n g on a r e a r tongue h o l d i n g r e i n s and a v e r t i c a l
s t i c k - t m e brake.
-.
- - ~
~
..--.--.---.p----.p-p
~.
~--
.
-
~
.-~---~
The bed o f t h e tramway b u i l t by K e n d a l l D i e t e r Lumber Company i n 1908 s u r v i v e s a l o n g
much o f t h e l e n g t h o f Rocky Run p a r a l l e l i n g t h e Hopkins Mountain Tower Road.
H o o k i n s F i r e m a n ' s R e s i d e n c e and H o o k i n s Hountain Road
The t h i r d u s e o f t h e H o p k i n s Mountain knob began i n 1935 w i t h t h e F o r e s t S e r v i c e
p u r c h a s e o f t h e S ~ i t z e rfarm.
tlembers o f C i v i l ' i a n C o n s e r v a t i o n Corps Camp Alvon t h e
same y e a r c o n s t r u c t e d a g r a v e l r o a d , a f i r e tower w i t h r e s i d e n c e f o r flonongahela
National Forest.
The r o a d and t h e r e s i d e n c e w i t h p r i v y s u r v i v e w i t h o u t s i g n i f i c a n t
alteration.
The r e s i d e n c e i s t h e o n l y f i r e m a n ' s r e s i d e n c e s u r v i v i n g i n t h e f o r e s t on
i t s original site.
The tower was d i s m a n t l e d i n 1979; o n l y t h e c o n c r e t e p i e r s and
lowest step remain.
The f i r e t o w e r and r e s i d e n c e were used o n l y d u r i n g f i r e season, n a r c h 1 t o flay 3 1 i n
t h e s p r i n g and O c t o b e r 1 t o December 31 i n t h e f a l l .
D u r i n g t h o s e months t h e
r e s i d e n c e was u s u a l l ~o c c u o i e d b y a f i r e s p o t t e r who used an i n s t r u m e n t l i k e a l a r g e
compass t o l o c a t e t h e d i r e c t i o n o f a f i r e on a U n i t e d S t a t e s G e o l o g i c a l Survey (USGS)
map.
The l o c a t i o n o r d i r e c t i o n o f t h e f i r e was r e l a y e d by t e l e p h o n e t o t h e d i s t r i c t
o f f i c e a t e i t h e r m a r l i n t o n o r W h i t e Sulphur S p r i n g s .
The H o p k i n s H o u n t a i n Road, F o r e s t S e r v i c e Road 139, i s t y p i c a l o f r o a d s c o n s t r u c t e d
t h e CCC.
P r i o r t o t h e t h e C C C , t h e F o r e s t S e r v i c e had l i t t l e money f o r r o a d
~ o n s t r u c t i o n . T y p i c a l l y , F o r e s t S e r v i c e r o a d s were 9' wide n i t h t u r n - o u t s f o r . c a r s
t o pass.
They f o l l o w e d t h e t o p o g r a p h y o f t h e l a n d e x a c t l y , because t h e F o r e s t
S e r v i c e had 1 i t t l e equipment t o c o n t o u r a r o a d bed.
The r o a d s u r f a c e s s l o p e d i n t o
t h e h i l l s i d e so t h a t c a r s and t r u c k s would n o t s l i p over t h e o u t e r edge i n t o a
A greater
ho11ow.
W i t h t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e C C C i n t h e 1930s~ r o a d design changed.
l a b o r f o r c e and more equipment p e r m i t t e d r o a d s t o be c u t from t h e h i l l s i d e s .
CCC
r o a d s were t w o - l a n e d , p e r m i t t i n g v e h i c l e s t o pass.
by
---
The f i r e m a n ' s r e s i d e n c e and p r ~ v y , about 50 f e e t west o f t h e s i t e o f t h e f i r e t o w e r ,
--
Unlted State8 Department of the Intarlor
National Park Servlce
National Register of Historlc Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number a
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Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t
Greenbrier Co., WV
d i s p l a y t h e s i m p l i c i t y a n d f u n c t i o n a l i t y o f F o r e s t S e r v i c e buildings.
The simple
o r n a m e n t a t i o n o f t h e r e s i d e n c e with c o r n e r b o a r d s , r a k e b o a r d s , p o r c h w i t h p i e r s a n d
e x p o s e d r a f t e r s display simple elements o f t h e Craftsman style. While constructed
f r o m s t a n d a r d i z e d F o r e s t S e r v i c e plans, t h i s b u i l d i n g d i s p l a y s d i s t i n c t i v e d e t a i l s
w o r k e d o u t by t h e C C C builders: a n o p e n p o r c h g a b l e end. T h e p r i v y a l s o h a s
C r a f t s m a n e l e m e n t s in i t s p r o j e c t i n g wall h e a d e r s a n d r i d g e pole. T h e r e s i d e n c e a n d
p r i v y a r e u n a l t e r e d s i n c e c o n s t r u c t i o n e x c e p t for t h e r e p l a c e m e n t o f t h e o r i g i n a l
r o o f i n g m a t e r i a l s a n d c h a n g e in gutters. T h e t o w e r s i t e r e t a i n s i t s h i s t o r i c
character.
-
T h e r o a d a n d r e s i d e n c e a r e e x a m p l e s o f t h e f i n e work p r o d u c e d by t h e C i v i l i a n
C o n s e r v a t i o n C o r p s ( C C C ) in flonongahela N a t i o n a l Forest. F i r s t e s t a b l i s h e d in W e s t
V-- i r g i.n i a in M a y 1 9 3 3 > t h e C i v i l i a n Conservation-Corps h a d t w e n t y - t h r e e year-round..and
s u m m e r c a m p s in t h e s t a t e b e t w e e n 1 9 3 3 a n d 1942. Vost m e m b e r s w o r k e d in t h e
V o n o n g a h e l a N a t ~ o n a l F o r e s t b u i l d i n g r o a d s ] o p e n i n g t e l e p h o n e lines1 r e f o r e s t i n g a n d
m a n a g i n g timber a n d construction trails and recreation facilities. W h i l e m o n i e s
e a r n e d b y m e m b e r s o f t h e C C C a d d e d t o t h e local e c o n o m y , a s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t o f t h e
o r g a n i z a t i o n w a s t h e s k i l l s training and t h e instilling o f regional esprit.
T h e w o r k at H o p k i n s H o u n t a i n w a s u n d e r t a k e n b y m e m b e r s o f C C C C a m p 1 3 at Alvon.
c a m p w a s c l o s e d in 1935.
This
BIBLIOGRAPHY
T i m 80ggsr 4-21-1993, W h i t e S u l p h u r S p r i n g s , WU:
C i v i l W a r h i s t o r i a n , interview.
C i v i l W a r r e - e n a c t o r a n d local
L o u i s C r o s s , 4-20-93, W h i t e S u l p h u r S p r i n g s , WV: F o r e s t S e r v i c e e m p l o y e e at B l u e B e n d
R e c r e a t i o n A r e a in 1942-1943, interview.,
D e n n y D e a n , 4-20-93, W h i t e S u l p h u r S p r i n g s , WV: West V i r g i n i a D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l
R e s o u r c e s e m p l o y e e a n d life-long r e s i d e n t of B l u e B e n d a r e a , i n t e r v i e w .
R u s s e l l F e r r e n c e , 4-20-93, W h i t e S u l p h u r S p r i n g s 3 WU: p u r c h a s e d l a n d f o r t h e F o r e s t
S e r v i c e b e g i n n i n g in 1 9 3 4 , interview.
B e t t y H u g h e s , 4-20-93, Whlte S u l p h u r S o r i n g s , WU: F o r e s t S e r v i c e e m p l o y e e w h o s e
f a t h e r w o r k e d o n t h e t r a m w a y a l o n g R o c k y R u n , interview.
a
E Q ~ c ~M i$s f ~ r y . U n p u b l i s h e d m a n u s c r i p t a v a i l a b l e
H c K i m , C. R. U ~ a ~ a s a h r lNaii~oal
a t t h e H o n o n g a h e l a N a t i o n a l F o r e s t O f f i c e , E l k i n s , W U , 1970.
O t i s , A l i s o n T.
W i l l i a m 0. H o n e y , T h o m a s C. Hog99 K i m b e r l y K. Lakin.
Ihe Earnst
Unlted States Department of the Intarlor
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 9
&
lo
Page
'
Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t
G r e e n b r i e r Co.,
WV
P e y t o n , B i l l i e Joe.
Cultucal Besnurce S ~ C Y ~ YCCC
, Camps, E i c ? I a ~ e c sB~d m i a i s i c a i i r r
Sites.
U n p u b l i s h e d Ronongahela N a t i o n a l F o r e s t m a n u s c r i p t a v a i l a b l e a t t h e
nonongahela N a t i o n a l F o r e s t O f f i c e , E l k i n s , WU, 1 9 8 6 .
Rue1 Ramsey, 4-20-93,
A l v o n , WU:
l i f e - l o n g Alvon r e s i d e n t s i n t e r v i e w .
R e g i s t r y o f Deeds, G r e e n b r i e r County C o u r t House, L e u i s b u r g , WU.
S h a f f e r , D a l l a s 8. I h ? B a L i l e a t
D i v i s i o n o f Tourism 8 P a r k s , nd.
g~unfain.
Q ~ Q Q Q
C h a r l e s t o n , WUS West V i r g i n i a
UTR R e f e r e n c e s
Anthony Quadrangle
A1 von Q u a d r a n g l e
V e r b a l Boundary:
A l l o f t h e H o o k i n s flountain
H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t l i e s w i t h i n t h e boundary o f nonongahela
N a t i o n a l F o r e s t on F o r e s t S e r v i c e owned l a n d .
The C i v i l War T r a i l r u n s from a F o r e s t
S e r v i c e s h e l t e r on t h e west s i d e o f Peach O r c h a r d Road ( 2 9 6 ) e a s t o f F a l l i n g S o r i n g
( R e n i c k P o s t O f f i c e ) t o t h e t o p o f H o p k i n s n o u n t a i n and e a s t t o a g a t e d l a n e t h a t
p a r a l l e l s Dawson Run.
The e a s t e r n t e r m i n u s i s t h e F o r e s t S e r v i c e boundary.
The
d i s t r i c t i n c l u d e s a 2 0 - f o o t m a r g i n on each s i d e o f t h e t r a i l .
-
-
--
The d ~ s t r i c ta l s o i n c l u d e s F o r e s t S e r v i c e Road 139, The H o p k i n s M o u n t a i n Road, a
--
United State8 Department of the Interior
National Park Servlce
National Register of Hlstorlc Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number
10
Page 8
Hopkins Mountain H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t Greenbrier Co., WV
g r a v e l r o a d 18 f e e t wide.
The d i s t r i c t b e g i n s .1 m i l e s n o r t h o f t h e Anthony-Blue
Bend Road, S t a t e Road 16/21 a t t h e n o r t h boundary o f B l u e Bend F o r e s t Camo, a
A t t h e s o u t h e r n and e a s t e r n ends
l a n d s c a ~ eb e i n g nominated t o t h e N a t i o n a l R e g i s t e r .
o f t h e r o a d , t h e d i s t r i c t i s measured 30 f e e t e a s t and west from t h e c e n t e r l i n e o f
A t 1.3 m i l e s from t h e Anthony-Blue Bend Road, t h e e a s t margin o f t h e
t h e road.
A t 2.25 m i l e s ' t h e
d i s t r i c t expands t o 400 f e e t t o i n c l u d e t h e t i m b e r i n g tramway.
e v i d e n c e o f t h e tramuav cannot be seen: t h e east edge o f t h e d i s t r i c t a y a i n i s 30
f e e t each s i d e o f t h e c e n t e r '1 i n e o f t h e g r a v e l r o a d .
The d i s t r i c t a l s o i n c l u d e s t h e f o r e s t openlng s u r r o u n d i n g t h e H o p k i n s Mountain F i r e
Tower s i t e i n c l u d i n g 1 0 - f e e t deep o f t r e e and shrub-covered l a n d s .
The open a r e a i s
a ~ p r o x i m a t e l ya c i r c l e 190 f e e t i n diameter s u r r o u n d i n g t h e v e h i c l e t u r n - a r o u n d a t
t h e end o f t h e F o r e s t S e r v i c e Road 139: open 75 f e e t on t h e s o u t h and e a s t near t h e
l o c a t i o n o f t h e f i r e m a n '_ s r e s i d e n c e and. p___
r i v.y and oDen 15 f e e t _
on t h e e a s t t o w a r ~d the
view a x o n t h e n o r t h .
Boundarv l u s t i f i c a t i o n :
The H o o k i n s H o u n t a i n H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t boundary i n c l u d e s a l l o f t h e C i v i l War T r a i l
w i t h i n t h e nonongahela N a t i o n a l F o r e s t ; a l l t h e s u r v i v i n g bed o f t h e l o g tramway
c o n s t r u c t e d b y The D i e t e r Lumber Company on Hopkins H o u n t a i n : a l l o f F o r e s t S e r v i c e
Road 1 3 9 , ' t h e Hopkjns H o u n t a i n R o a d , + n o r t h o f t h e boundary o f B l u e Bend F o r e s t Camp,
and t h e ooen a r e a a t t h e end o f F o r e s t S e r v i c e Road 139, which i n c l u d e s t h e f i r e m a n ' s
r e s i d e n c e , p r i v y , w e l l s i t e , pump and s i t e o f t h e f i r e tower.
ANTHONY QUADRANGLE
WEST VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER CO.
3.5 MINUTE S E R I E S (TOPOGRAPHIC)
N U 4 WHITE S U L P H U R S P R I N G S IS' QUADRANGLE
4
8