Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
Observation tower overlooking the Greenbrier River valley.
|
|
 Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Location in West Virginia
|
|
| Location | Pocahontas, West Virginia, United States |
| Nearest town | Hillsboro, West Virginia |
| Area | 287 acres (116 ha) |
| Elevation | 3,104 ft (946 m) |
| Established | July 4, 1928 |
| Named for | Battle of Droop Mountain |
| Governing body | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources |
| Website | |
|
Droop Mountain Battlefield
|
|
| Nearest city | Marlinton, West Virginia |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000664 |
| Added to NRHP | January 26, 1970 |
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is a special state park in West Virginia. It's located on Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County. This park is famous because it was the site of an important battle during the American Civil War.
The battle, called the Battle of Droop Mountain, happened on November 6, 1863. It was the last major battle of the Civil War in West Virginia. A soldier named John D. Sutton, who fought for the Union Army in this battle, later helped create the park. He worked to make it happen when he was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, which is part of the state government.
Droop Mountain Battlefield became West Virginia's very first state park. It was officially opened on July 4, 1928. Later, during the Great Depression, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps helped turn the battlefield into a place for history and outdoor fun. Sometimes, people even act out the battle to show how it happened.
In 1970, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
The park is about 25 miles (40 km) north of the Lewisburg exit of I-64. You can find it on U.S. Highway 219. It's also about 15 miles (24 km) south of Marlinton on US 219. Other cool parks nearby include Beartown State Park and Watoga State Park.
What You Can See and Do
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park offers a mix of history and outdoor activities. It's a great place to learn about the past and enjoy nature.
- Droop Mountain Museum: This museum has many items from the battle. You can see artifacts that tell the story of what happened here.
- Lookout Tower: Climb to the top of the tower for amazing views of the surrounding area. You can see far across the landscape.
- Hiking Trails: There are trails for hiking where you can explore the park's natural beauty.
- Picnic Areas: Enjoy a meal outdoors at one of the picnic spots. Some areas have shelters for shade.
- Tots Playgrounds: Younger visitors can have fun on the playgrounds.
Gallery
-
A cannon like those used in the battle.
-
Graves of Confederate soldiers.
-
A historic log cabin.
