List of historical highway markers in Hampshire County, West Virginia facts for kids

Discover the cool historical markers in Hampshire County, West Virginia! These special signs tell stories about important places and events in this part of the United States. They help us remember the past and learn about the people who lived here long ago.

Many of these markers are part of the West Virginia Highway Historical Marker Program. This program helps put up signs to remember important history across the state.

Exploring Hampshire County's History Markers

Capon Springs: A Famous Resort

The Capon Springs marker tells about its history.

The marker for Capon Springs shares its interesting past. Its name comes from an old Indian word meaning "Medicine Waters." People discovered these special waters in 1765.

This place became a very famous resort in early times. Even important people like President Franklin Pierce and Daniel Webster visited.

Location: West Virginia Route 259, Capon Lake

West Virginia and Virginia: Two States, One Past

This marker talks about the history of both West Virginia and Virginia. West Virginia was once the western part of Virginia until June 20, 1863.

Early settlers here were mostly Germans and Scotch-Irish people. This area was a defense line between the English and French during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).

Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen of England." It was the site of the first permanent English settlement in America in 1607. Virginia was one of the 13 original colonies and is the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents.

Location: West Virginia Route 259, at the state line

Northwestern Turnpike: An Old Road's Story

The Northwestern Turnpike marker tells about a historic road. In 1784, George Washington suggested building this road. He wanted an all-Virginia route to the Ohio River.

The road was approved in 1827 and construction began in 1831. It's a great example of the skill of its engineers, Charles Shaw and Colonel Claudius Crozet.

Location: U.S. Route 50, Capon Bridge

Fort Edwards: A Frontier Defense

The Fort Edwards marker.

This marker remembers Fort Edwards. In 1756, troops from this fort, led by Captain Mercer, were ambushed. Many soldiers lost their lives.

Later, French and Native American groups attacked the fort. But the soldiers inside, helped by Daniel Morgan and other frontiersmen, fought them off.

Location: U.S. Route 50, near the junction with County Route 14 (Cacapon River Road), Capon Bridge

Ice Mountain: Nature's Refrigerator

The Ice Mountain marker.

The Ice Mountain marker describes a truly unique natural wonder. About five miles north along the North River, you can find ice for hundreds of yards. This happens even on the hottest summer days!

Nearby, Raven Rock on North Mountain offers one of the most amazing views in West Virginia.

Location: U.S. Route 50, at the junction with West Virginia Route 29 North

Mount Bethel Church: A Place of Worship Since 1792

The Mount Bethel Church marker.

The Mount Bethel Church marker shares the history of this old church. Presbyterians started a church near here in 1792. It was first called the Mountain Church.

In 1808, it became a center for Presbyterian work in Hampshire County. The current church, built from logs in 1837, is the oldest house of worship in the county.

Location: County Route 5 (Jersey Mountain Road), at the junction with County Route 5/4 (Three Churches Hollow Road), Three Churches

Bloomery Gap Skirmish and Iron Furnace

The Bloomery Iron Furnace marker.

This marker tells two stories. On February 14, 1862, during the American Civil War, Union soldiers attacked Confederate troops here. The Confederates were defeated and fled.

The marker also describes the Bloomery Iron Furnace. It was built in 1833 and made iron for many years. The iron was then carried down the Cacapon River on rafts.

Location: West Virginia Route 127 (Bloomery Pike), 2 miles east of the junction with West Virginia Route 29

Hampshire County and Virginia: A Shared Beginning

This marker explains that Hampshire County is West Virginia's oldest county. The Virginia Assembly created it in 1754. It was formed from parts of Frederick and Augusta counties.

Lord Fairfax, who owned the land, named it after the English shire of the same name. Ice Mountain and Hanging Rocks are two of its amazing natural sights.

The marker also repeats information about Virginia, named for Queen Elizabeth. It was the site of the first English settlement in 1607 and one of the 13 original colonies.

Location: West Virginia Route 127 (Bloomery Pike), at the state line

Hampshire County and Morgan County: Neighboring Histories

The Hampshire County marker.

The Morgan County marker.

This marker highlights the history of two counties. Hampshire County is the oldest, created in 1754. It was named by Lord Fairfax.

Morgan County was formed in 1820 from parts of Berkeley and Hampshire counties. It was named after General Daniel Morgan of the Revolutionary Army. Many of his famous "Riflemen" came from this area. The well-known Berkeley Springs is located here.

Location: West Virginia Route 9 West

Caudy's Castle: A Pioneer's Refuge

The Caudy's Castle marker tells a thrilling story. It's named for James Caudy, a pioneer and Native American fighter. During the French and Indian War, he found safety on a mass of rocks overlooking the Cacapon River.

From this high spot, he defended himself by pushing attacking Native Americans, one by one, over the precipice with his rifle butt. They fell hundreds of feet to the river's edge.

Location: West Virginia Route 127 (Bloomery Pike), 1.5 miles east of West Virginia Route 29

Braddock's Gap: A General's Journey

This marker points to Braddock's Gap. To the north, General Braddock's army marched through here in May 1755. They were on their way to attack the French at Fort Duquesne.

His troops camped at Fort Capon and Fort Cox nearby. Their journey ended in defeat and the general's death.

Location: U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 29 (Bloomery Pike), near Pleasant Dale

Blue's Gap Battle: A Civil War Skirmish

The Blue's Gap Battle marker describes a fight during the Civil War. Confederate troops were defeated by Union soldiers here on January 7, 1862.

The Federals then burned the North River Bridge and several buildings.

Location: U.S. Route 50, 14 miles east of Romney

High Knob: A View from the Top

The High Knob marker describes a tall peak. This mountain, on the Hampshire-Hardy county line, rises a thousand feet above the surrounding hills. It reaches a height of more than half a mile.

From the top, you can see points in three different counties! It also overlooks "The Trough," a famous place known for its history and beautiful scenery.

Location: U.S. Route 220 (northbound) south of Hickory Hill Road, near the Hampshire-Hardy border

Hanging Rocks: A Place of Battles

The Hanging Rocks marker describes amazing perpendicular cliffs. They rise almost 300 feet above the South Branch of the Potomac.

This spot was the scene of fierce battles between Delaware and Catawba Indians around 1736. Later, it saw skirmishes between Northern and Southern troops in 1861 during the Civil War.

Location: West Virginia Route 28, 4 miles north of Romney

Fort Forman: A Frontier Outpost

The Fort Forman marker remembers a frontier outpost. In 1777, Captain William Forman led a company from this county. They went to help Fort Henry at Wheeling.

Sadly, he, two of his sons, and many others were killed in an ambush by Native Americans. This happened at the "Narrows" near Moundsville.

Location: West Virginia Route 28, 3 miles north of Romney at Vance

Col. Claudius Crozet and Mechanicsburg Gap

This marker tells about Colonel Crozet and Mechanicsburg Gap. Colonel Crozet was born in France in 1790 and came to America in 1816. He taught math at West Point for six years.

He became chief engineer of Virginia in 1824 and surveyed the Northwestern Turnpike in 1825.

Mechanicsburg Gap is a beautiful canyon cut through Mill Creek Mountain by Mill Creek. An old Native American trail passed through here. Later, it became the Northwestern Turnpike and is now the George Washington Highway.

Location: U.S. Route 50/West Virginia Route 28, 2 miles west of Romney near Mechanicsburg

Indian Mound: An Ancient Burial Site

The Indian Mound marker describes an ancient burial site. This mound is 7 feet high and about 15 feet across. It's one of the largest remaining mounds in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

This mound has never been dug up. However, similar mounds in the area suggest it might be from between A.D. 500 and 1000. It was likely built by Hopewellian peoples.

Location: Just west of Romney, U.S. Route 50/West Virginia Route 28

"Stonewall" Jackson and Romney in the Civil War

This marker tells about "Stonewall" Jackson and Romney during the Civil War. Jackson arrived here on January 13, 1862. He had just captured Bath (Berkeley Springs).

Romney was a very important location. It was on a natural path for armies moving between the Shenandoah Valley and the Potomac and the B. & O. Railroad. Because of this, the town changed hands 56 times during the war!

Location: Romney, Hampshire County Courthouse square, U.S. Route 50/West Virginia Route 28

Romney and the Early Memorial

This marker shares more about Romney and the Early Memorial. Romney was made an incorporated town in 1762. Lord Fairfax owned the land and laid out the town.

It was named for one of the five English Channel ports. Nearby was Fort Pearsall, built in 1756 to defend against Native Americans.

In 1866, the Confederate Memorial Association was formed here. On September 26, 1867, they dedicated a monument to Confederate soldiers. This was one of the first such monuments ever built.

Location: Romney, Hampshire County Courthouse square, U.S. Route 50/West Virginia Route 28

West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind

The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind marker.

The marker for the W. Va. School for Deaf and Blind tells about this important school. It was started in 1870. The Romney Literary Society donated its Classical Institute building to be the first part of the school.

This co-educational school provides academic and vocational training for deaf and blind young people in the state.

Location: Romney, U.S. Route 50, West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind campus

Hampshire County and Mineral County: Neighboring Lands

This marker describes the history of Hampshire County and Mineral County. Hampshire County is the oldest, authorized in 1753. Lord Fairfax named it.

Mineral County was formed from Hampshire in 1866. It was named for its many mineral deposits. In Mineral County, you can find Fort Ashby. This is the only standing fort from a chain of frontier forts built in 1755 under George Washington's orders.

Location: West Virginia Route 28 near Springfield

Pin Oak Fountain: A Community Gathering Spot

The Pin Oak Fountain marker.

The Pin Oak Fountain marker tells about a special community fountain. The State Road Commission and local artists built it in 1932. H.R. Edeburn donated the land.

The fountain was made from crystal quartz from a nearby iron furnace and stone from the hillside. Spring water, flowing by gravity from the hill, provided water for residents and travelers. It was a popular place for picnics, dances, and auctions. The Pin Oak Extension Homemakers Club restored it in 1988 and still takes care of it.

Location: West Virginia Route 29, Pin Oak, eight miles south of Paw Paw

Other Interesting Markers

Capon Chapel: An Old Church Building

The Capon Chapel marker.

The Capon Chapel marker tells us about early settlers. They gathered at this spot under a large oak tree for religious events and family burials. The original log structure, built in the 1750s, is still beneath the boards of Capon Chapel.

It is one of the oldest church buildings in West Virginia that is still standing. The oldest graves were in what is now the lawn and parking area. Their stone markers have been lost over the years.

Location: Christian Church Road (County Route 13) near Capon Bridge

Historic Whipple Truss Bridge

The Historic Whipple Truss marker.

This marker describes a historic Whipple Truss bridge. It was built in 1874 on U.S. Route 50 near Romney. Then, it was moved and rebuilt at its current spot in 1939.

The bridge was used until 1991. The WVDOT made it a historic site in 1992. It is the oldest of the few Whipple Trusses left in West Virginia.

Location: West Virginia Route 259 in Capon Lake