Roaming West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley

A late autumn trip t…

A late autumn trip to West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley isn’t complete without a visit to a few abandoned or forgotten landmarks.

Afternoon light peeks between two glowing trees at an abandoned residence in Greenbrier County.

Laurel Creek Church — Morning light shines through a maturing forest at the long-abandoned Laurel Creek Church that was constructed in 1870. This would make for a fantastic renovation: its interior is completely gutted down to the studs.

Old Droop Church — Constructed in 1864, Old Droop Church quietly rests on a knoll in Pocahontas County. Some of its original architectural detailing remains, but the rest has been covered over with non-original siding and woodwork.

Birchdale — Shadowed by the waning evening sun, Birchdale is an abandoned two-story, circa 1890 Folk Victorian-style residence.

Autumn colors blanket Hills Chapel — Quiet serenity surrounds Hills Chapel, which was established circa 1899.

Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church — Harsh afternoon light highlights the glow of Red Oak trees that frame the abandoned circa 1899 Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church.

Woods Poage Chapel — Woods Poage Chapel was constructed in 1919 from materials sourced from a dismantled combination church and lodge in the lumber company town at Raywood. Services were first held in the area in a schoolhouse on the lands of Wood Poage in 1874. Some work was partly completed and then abandoned in replacing the traditional wood clapboard siding with vinyl.

Mt. Pleasant Church — A friendly donkey and horse welcomed the visit to the circa 1893 Mt. Pleasant Church in Pocahontas County.

Mt. Pleasant School — The sun sets on the adjoining Mt. Pleasant School. It appears that some work is ongoing to restore this property: a new metal roof was recently installed.

Barlow and Moore Store — The former Barlow and Moore Store has been lovingly kept up over the decades. The store was once the centerpiece of Edray and stood at the crossroads of Marlin’s Bottom along the Huttonsville Turnpike and Back Mountain Road.

Rich Run School — Time has run out on the former Rich Run School. It’s now in a state of collapse.

McNeel Mill — Work is ongoing to maintain the historic circa 1865 McNeel Mill in Mill Point, which operated in the community from 1778 until 1947. Thanks to grants from The Snowshoe Foundation, state and county officials, and private individuals, the mill may return to working order for demonstration purposes.

Pleasant Green Methodist Episcopal Church — The Pleasant Green Methodist Episcopal Church is a historic African-American Methodist Episcopal church near Seebert. Constructed in 1888, the building features traditional Gothic Revival styling. Adjoining the church is a circa 1920 parsonage and cemetery.

Watoga Bridge

Watoga Bridge

Vintage Crossbuck

Vintage Crossbuck

Scenes from the Greenbrier River Trail

Scenes from the Greenbrier River Trail

Post date
November 19, 2022
Posted in Explorations

2 Comments

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Nice work. My mother was born in Poco County. Visited the area last year. I’m now preparing a story map describing the CCC in Watoga SP 1933-1942.

Very nice work Sherman

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