Baker Mountain (West Virginia) facts for kids

Baker Mountain is a mountain ridge located in southeastern Hampshire County, West Virginia. This mountain stretches between Yellow Spring and the border of Hardy County. It is a notable natural feature in the area.

Discovering Baker Mountain

Baker Mountain is a long, narrow mountain. It runs from the southwest to the northeast. On its eastern side, you will find the Cacapon River. West Virginia Route 259 runs right alongside the river and the mountain.

Where is Baker Mountain?

This mountain is found in Hampshire County, which is in the eastern part of West Virginia. It is part of a larger mountain system. This system is called the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The mountain's highest point is about 2,024 feet above sea level.

A Mountain of Timber and Trains

For many years, the forests on Baker Mountain were very important. They were a major source of timber. This timber was used to make railroad ties. These ties are the wooden beams that support train tracks.

How Timber Helped Build Railroads

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad needed a lot of timber. They used it to build and maintain their train lines. To get the timber from Baker Mountain, a special railroad was built. This was the Winchester and Western Railroad. It was constructed in the 1920s. This railroad helped carry the harvested timber. It took the wood from the Capon Valley all the way to Winchester, Virginia. There, the timber was turned into railroad ties.

Communities Near the Mountain

At the base of Baker Mountain, along the Cacapon River, are two small communities. These towns are Capon Lake and Intermont. They are nestled right at the foot of the mountain.