Mountain Parkway Byway
Encyclopedia
The Mountain Parkway Byway is a state-designated scenic byway in northern Webster County, West Virginia
. Following West Virginia Route 20 for 10.2 miles (16.4 km) the route traverses the headwaters of several mountain streams including the Right Fork Little Kanawha River
, Jerry Run, and the Left and Laurel Forks of Holly River
. A related route, the Mountain Parkway Backway, explores backroads in the same area.
in 1885. A post office operated here from 1853–1865 and 1883-1995.
Located near the spring are a shelter, picnic table, and stone fireplace. Work is being done to upgrade the Old Sulphur Spring area for use as a rest stop along the Mountain Parkway Byway.
, the second-largest state park in West Virginia at 8294 acres (34 km²). The park is known for its mountainous setting and contains several waterfalls. Other recreational activities such as camping, picnicking, and swimming are also possible in the park.
. Travelers should be aware that many of the Backway roads are gravel.
Several additional spurs leading from the Backway mainline also provide access to notable areas sites:
to his mill site in the late 19th century.
Boggs was a gunsmith and is also remembered throughout the area for his extraordinary physical strength. Boggs was the first to be buried on top of a hill east of the millstone. The cemetery is known as the Boggs Cemetery. The story is told that during the Civil War, Andy, who was sympathetic with the Confederacy, hid from the Yankees on that hilltop. He is said to have remarked, "It is so high and rugged that if one could escape the Yankees, surely it would provide a good place to hide from the devil."
The mill continues to be owned by the same family today through his great-granddaughter, Beth Mollohan. It is unusual in that the water wheel is horizontal to the water rather than vertical. The mill is was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on September 2, 1982, the first such listing in Webster County.
Just east of Poling is a large rock formation referred to locally as "Hanging Rock." The cliff extends out over and along Replete Road for several hundred feet. Formed of sandstone, the rock was deposited around 313 million years ago and undercut by water erosion from the adjacent Left Fork Holly River.
on April 7, 1997. A post office operated at the store from 1903 until at least 1952.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Following West Virginia Route 20 for 10.2 miles (16.4 km) the route traverses the headwaters of several mountain streams including the Right Fork Little Kanawha River
Little Kanawha River
The Little Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, 169 mi long, in western West Virginia in the United States. Via the Ohio, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 2,320 mi² on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau...
, Jerry Run, and the Left and Laurel Forks of Holly River
Holly River
The Holly River is a tributary of the Elk River in central West Virginia in the United States. Via the Elk, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of in a rural region of the Allegheny Mountains...
. A related route, the Mountain Parkway Backway, explores backroads in the same area.
Route description
Heading southbound on WV 20, the Byway begins after crossing the Right Fork Little Kanawha River into Webster County. A visitor kiosk is located just south of the county line. From there, visitors can follow WV 20 southbound to see the following sites in sequential order:Cleveland
The northernmost village in Webster County, Cleveland was settled in 1844 by Robert McCray Sr. Previously named as Buffalo Fork and Point, it was renamed in honor of President Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
in 1885. A post office operated here from 1853–1865 and 1883-1995.
Jerry Run Summer Theater
Located along West Virginia Route 20 is the Jerry Run Summer Theater. A large wooden structure containing a stage, snack bar and other amenities, it has seating for 150 people. Live Bluegrass, country, folk and gospel bands appear weekly on Friday or Saturday evenings from May through early October. The theater is owned by area residents Dusty and Renee Anderson.Sharon
At Jerry Run is the site of the Sharon post office that served the Jerry Run community from 1890 to 1900. Dr. William W. Hutchinson served two terms as postmaster. Patrick W. Bruffey, another early resident, was postmaster a short while, after having served as superintendent of Webster County Schools.Old Sulphur Spring
Located at Jerry Run is the Old Sulphur Spring. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spring provided water for the travelers and the nearby Jerry Run one-room school. It is a favorite gathering site for locals in the community.Located near the spring are a shelter, picnic table, and stone fireplace. Work is being done to upgrade the Old Sulphur Spring area for use as a rest stop along the Mountain Parkway Byway.
Hacker Valley
The village of Hacker Valley was named in honor of John Hacker. Hacker reportedly took possession of a tract of land nearby by "tomahawk mark" around 1772.Holly River State Park
Situated along Laurel Fork Holly River is Holly River State ParkHolly River State Park
Holly River State Park is located in Webster County, West Virginia, USA, approximately north of Webster Springs. It is the second largest park in the West Virginia state park system with a total of...
, the second-largest state park in West Virginia at 8294 acres (34 km²). The park is known for its mountainous setting and contains several waterfalls. Other recreational activities such as camping, picnicking, and swimming are also possible in the park.
Mountain Parkway Backway
The Mountain Parkway Backway follows lesser traveled routes in the area while paralleling stretches of the Right Fork Little Kanawha River and Left Fork Holly River. From along WV 20 near Cleveland, visitors can follow County Routes 1 (Boggs Mills Road), 6 (Westbrook Lane) and 3 (Replete Road) in a 14.6 miles (23.5 km) circuit that ends back at WV 20 south of Holly River State ParkHolly River State Park
Holly River State Park is located in Webster County, West Virginia, USA, approximately north of Webster Springs. It is the second largest park in the West Virginia state park system with a total of...
. Travelers should be aware that many of the Backway roads are gravel.
Several additional spurs leading from the Backway mainline also provide access to notable areas sites:
- County Route 4 (Williams Camp Run Road) begins at its intersection with County Route 1. It leads to the Johnson Home.
- County Route 8 (Poling Road) branches off CR 3 and takes travelers to the Mollohan Mill.
- County Route 3/8 (Cowger Hill Road) travels west from CR 3 to Long Run Farm.
- County Route 20/2 (Mount Zion Road) serves as a connector between CR 3 and WV 20.
Boggs Mill Stone
Along Webster County Route 1, a large rock remains that Andrew Boggs reportedly moved from across Right Fork Little Kanawha RiverLittle Kanawha River
The Little Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, 169 mi long, in western West Virginia in the United States. Via the Ohio, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 2,320 mi² on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau...
to his mill site in the late 19th century.
Boggs was a gunsmith and is also remembered throughout the area for his extraordinary physical strength. Boggs was the first to be buried on top of a hill east of the millstone. The cemetery is known as the Boggs Cemetery. The story is told that during the Civil War, Andy, who was sympathetic with the Confederacy, hid from the Yankees on that hilltop. He is said to have remarked, "It is so high and rugged that if one could escape the Yankees, surely it would provide a good place to hide from the devil."
Johnson Home
The Johnson home, constructed in 1887 by John Nathaniel "Squire" Johnson, is a well-preserved example of 19th century architecture. Johnson was a carpenter and built some of the one-room schools of the area. As of 2003, the home continued to be owned by the Johnson family.Mollohan Mill
Bernard Mollohan constructed this mill on the Left Fork Holly River in 1894. Operated until damaged by a flood in 1951, the mill was said to be one of the most prosperous area enterprises.The mill continues to be owned by the same family today through his great-granddaughter, Beth Mollohan. It is unusual in that the water wheel is horizontal to the water rather than vertical. The mill is was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on September 2, 1982, the first such listing in Webster County.
Hanging Rock
Mount Zion Church
Location at the intersection of Replete and Mount Zion Roads, Mount Zion Church sits on a small bluff several hundred feet above Left Fork Holly River. The church was first erected in 1892 but subsequently destroyed by a 1932 windstorm. Material salvaged from the original building was used to build the current structure in 1933.Lowther Store
The store, now known as Lowther Store, was established in 1900 by John A. Hinkle. It is the oldest continuously operating store in Webster County and was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 7, 1997. A post office operated at the store from 1903 until at least 1952.
Wheeler Overlook
The Wheeler Overlook provides a panoramic view of the village of Wheeler. In the early 20th century, Wheeler was the hub of the area containing a store, post office, gristmill, jewelry repair, and photograph shop.Long Run Farm
Located at the base of Cowger Hill, the Long Run Farm apple orchard serves as the western end of an unsigned Backway Spur along County Route 3/8 (Cowger Hill Road).Pugh
This is the site of the former Pugh post office (1888–1911) and the Wesley Anderson Store and Grist Mill. Anderson's home and store building are still standing.Visitor kiosks
Three information kiosks have been built along the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway to guide travelers:| Name | Route | Location | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | Byway | WV 20 north of Cleveland | Map | |
| Hacker Valley | Byway | Intersection of WV 20 and CR 20/18 | Map | |
| Replete | Backway | Intersection of CR 3 and CR 6 | Map and picnic table |