Valley View Island facts for kids
 Valley View Island
Location in Romney, West Virginia
Valley View Island
Location in Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
Valley View Island
Location in West Virginia
Valley View Island
Location in the United States
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | South Branch Potomac River, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°20′55″N 78°45′55″W / 39.348742°N 78.765260°W |
| Administration | |
Valley View Island is a special kind of island called an "island bar." It's found in the South Branch Potomac River near the town of Romney in the state of West Virginia, United States. This island gets its name from a nearby old farm called Valley View Farm. The farm has a large house built in 1855, which is an example of "Antebellum" style, meaning "before the war" (the American Civil War). Today, Valley View Island is private property, so it's not open to the public.
What is Valley View Island?
Valley View Island is not a typical island made of solid land. Instead, it's an island bar. An island bar is a raised area of sand, gravel, or other riverbed material that sits in the middle of a river. It's usually formed by the river's currents depositing sediment over time. Because it's surrounded by water, it acts just like an island.
Where is the Island Located?
Valley View Island is located in the South Branch Potomac River. This river is a major branch of the larger Potomac River. The island is found close to Romney, which is a historic town in Hampshire County, West Virginia.
The island forms right where two waterways meet. This meeting point is called a confluence. Here, the South Branch Potomac River joins with a smaller stream called Sulphur Spring Run. This special spot is also at the base of an area known as Romney's Yellow Banks.
How Did it Get Its Name?
The island gets its name from a nearby historic place called Valley View Farm. This farm is famous for its large house, which was built in 1855. The house is an example of Antebellum architecture. "Antebellum" is a Latin word that means "before the war." In the United States, this term usually refers to the time period before the American Civil War (1861-1865). These homes were often large and grand, built in a style popular in the Southern states.
Today, Valley View Island is owned by private individuals. This means it's not a public park or a place you can visit without permission.
