| Culture & History |
Monroe County has a compelling history. Recorded history carries tales from its days as a favored hunting ground of Indians, to its settlement by pioneers bringing a weaving industry and grist mills, to its selection as a destination during the early 19th century as travelers "took the waters" of the mineral springs, to its role in the Civil War, to its present day status as a fertile agricultural oasis.
The Monroe County Historical Society was organized in 1941 and is credited with the designation of historic homes and districts and the maintenance of archives of family genealogy, cemetery plot locations, and general town and county history.
Look below to discover:
- Caves
- Churches
- Covered Bridges
- Cultural Organizations
- Grist Mills
- Historic Sites
- Military Structures
- Mineral Spring Resorts
- Monuments
- Museums
- Schools
- Train Stations
Use our Find It! Locator Map to pinpoint the site.
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Cave - Organ Cave |
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| See Organ Cave! A National Natural Landmark/National Historic Landmark. Second longest commercial cave on the East coast. Site of first sloth found in America -- the "megdonyx Jeffersonii." General Lee''s underground headquarters and ammo factory. Largest collection of Civil War hoppers in USA. Two miles walking trips in the cave daily plus extended exploring expeditions. Lots of extra summertime activities on grounds. |
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Church - Ames Clair Hall, Union |
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| A restored 1857 African-American church, owned and maintained by the Monroe County Historical Society. Currently used for concerts and community gatherings. |
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Church - First Baptist, Union |
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| This 1845 structure is owned and maintained by the Monroe County Historical Society. |
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Church - Old Rehoboth Shrine & Conference Center |
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| Old Rehoboth Shrine is the oldest church building still standing that is located west of the Alleghenies. The church was completed in June of 1786. An iron plaque spells the sentiment of those who gave the land and church for worship "as long as the grass grows and water flows."
There is a museum and conference center adjacent. The museum has significant historical artifacts located in it.
Church building and adjacent museum are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons or by appointment. A large picnic shelter is available. Rehoboth is an excellent place for a family reunion, a church picnic, or a planning reatreat. To arrange a visit or to obtain further information, contact the caretakers Ken or Charlotte Stockwell at 304.772.3518. |
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Church - St. John's Catholic Chapel, Sweet Spgs. |
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| Oldest continuously used Catholic Church in West Virginia, having been erected before 1859 and maybe as early as 1839. It was erected by slave labor and is extremely unique in its construction, particularly the last row of bricks before the roof line. Services held each Memorial Day, Feast of the Assumption, and All Souls Day. Can be open for tours or visitation by appointment. |
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Church - St. Michaels |
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| This beautiful stone church was erected about 1830 by the Fullen Brothers. During the time that the Salt Sulphur Spring resort was in operation the church served as an Episcopalian Church in the morning and a Presbyterian Church in the afternoon. About 1912 the property was deeded to the Episcopalian Church proper and named St. Michaels. The building was closed recently and is under restoration by a Salt Sulphur Springs restoration group. |
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Covered Bridge - Indian Creek |
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| The Indian Creek Covered bridge was built by two teenagers in the early 1900s along the route which would later become US 219. The road closely followed an old Indian path known as the Seneca Trail, or alternately, The Warrior's Path. Present day US 219 doesn't vary too greatly from the course of the footpath used by tribes of the Iroquois Nation. |
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Covered Bridge - Laurel Creek |
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| Still in use on Laurel Creek Road, between Lillydale and Greenville, the bridge has the distinction of being the smallest remaining covered bridge in the state of West Virginia. |
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Cultural Organization - "Studio" Art Center |
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| A place to take classes and make arts and crafts. Located just off Main Street in Union below "Yesterday's Thrift Shop." |
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Cultural Organization - Monroe Arts Alliance |
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| The Monroe Arts Alliance, Inc. was formed in 2002 for exclusively charitable purposes and for the enrichment of the general public by promoting the arts in Monroe County and surrounding areas. Many cultural programs are offered throughout the year including: performances in dance, music, drama, and art classes. Fundraising is ongoing to provide scholarship monies for exceptional students in art, music and dance. Membership support enables the MAA to meet its mission. |
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Cultural Organization - Monroe Historical Society |
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| Society for the preservation and detailing of the history of Monroe County. Dues are $20 per year ($30 Family; $100 Life) and include the newsletter, which is issued quarterly. Historical Society meetings normally occur quarterly, on the second Sunday of March, June, September, and December, at 2pm, in the lower level of the Monroe County Public Library in Union (entrance in rear). Society maintains the Monroe County Historical Society Museum in Union. Several publications on Monroe County history for sale. Go to web site for more information. |
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Grist Mill - Cook's Old Mill |
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| Erected in 1867 on the site of the original mill dating to the late 1700's. Much restoration has been done by present and previous owners. Grounds are open to the public for photography, picnics and fishing. Mill tours can be arranged by request. |
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Grist Mill - McClung's Mill |
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| Moved to its present site in the early 1900's from Craig County, Virginia. The mill was used almost continuously for the grinding of grain through the late 1960's. Not currently open to the public. |
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Grist Mill - Reed's Mill/Mustain's Farms |
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| Water powered grist mill constructed in 1791. Products are all water powered, stone ground, and home grown. Many organic grown products, all are whole grain unsifted products: native corn meal, both white and yellow; popcorn meal; whole wheat, rye, and buckwheat flour. Locally produced honey, maple syrup, and apple butter. Woodwork products: chairs, cabinets, etc. Rough cut lumber available for hobbiests from trees grown and sawed on our farm. Tours and demonstrations available by appointment. |
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Historic Site - Pickaway School |
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| Site of first 4-H Club in West Virginia. |
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Military Structure - Cook's Fort |
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| A marker notes the location of a wooden stockade which reportedly enclosed an area of roughly 1.5 acres. 300 settlers took refuge there in 1778. Nothing remains of the structure itself. |
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Military Structure - Wood's Fort |
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| A small stockade fort, and one of several fortifications which were erected in the county prior to the American Revolution. Nothing remains at the location now. |
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Mineral Spring Resort - Old Sweet Springs |
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| The first hotel was erected on the site in 1792, making the resort one of the area's earliest. The brick hotel, cottages, and bathhouse which remain date from the 1830's, and were designed by William Phelps, who studied architecture under Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia. District court proceedings for the counties of Greenbrier, Kanawha, Monroe (after 1799), Botetourt, and Montgomery were held here from 1796 until 1807. |
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Mineral Spring Resort - Red Sulphur |
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| Aside from the village itself, nothing remains of the old spa except for the stone spring enclosure. |
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Mineral Spring Resort - Salt Sulphur Springs |
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| Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Opened as a resort in 1820. Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay, and John Calhoun among prominent guests. General Jenkins and other Confederates made their headquarters here during several campaigns. Buildings still standing include: main part of the hotel, bathhouse, spring house, chapel, store building and two cottages. It is the largest complex of stone buildings in West Virginia. |
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Monument - Confederate Soldiers of Monroe County |
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| Plot was donated to the Daughters of the Confederacy in the late 1890's by a descendant of Allen Caperton, both a U.S. and C.S.A. Senator, and Hugh Caperton, a congressman from 1813 to 1815. The monument was dedicated in September of 1901. |
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Museum - Monroe County Historical Society |
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| This historic building serves as a depository for the Monroe County Historical Society’s archives and provides a seasonal Visitor’s Information Center. This museum is located in an 1820 brick building which was once the law office of Allen Taylor Caperton. Caperton served as a Senator to the Confederacy and, after the Amnesty Act of 1872, became a Senator to the United States. The Bank of Union was also located in the building in 1880. The vault is still there and serves as storage today. |
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School - Union Academy |
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| This impressive structure, located on the Union Historic Walking Tour, was formed by the Presbyterian Church and incorporated in 1820. It is the oldest standing private school in West Virginia. The school was first an academy for yough boys. In the mid 1850s the school was changed to the Monroe Presbyterian High School and then, in the latter 1850s, Union College. The buildings sat idle after the Civil War for a time and then, under management of the Methodist Church, functioned as the West Virginia Female Seminary and Johnson Female College. |
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| DVD For Sale |
"A Place Called Monroe"
More info? See Hot Deals |
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