Watters Smith Memorial State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Watters Smith Memorial State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Buildings from the Watters Smith family farm.
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 Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Harrison, West Virginia, United States |
| Area | 532 acres (215 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,033 ft (315 m) |
| Established | 1949 |
| Named for | Watters Smith |
| Governing body | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources |
Watters Smith Memorial State Park is a cool historical park in Harrison County, West Virginia. It covers about 532 acres and is like a step back in time! The park has an old pioneer farm and a museum. It's a special place that remembers an early settler named Watters Smith.
Watters Smith was born in 1767 in Trenton, New Jersey. He moved to this area, which was then part of Virginia, in 1796. He came with his wife, Elizabeth Davisson Smith. The park has a log cabin that looks like the one they might have lived in. There are also other farm buildings that show what life was like in the early 1800s.
The more modern Smith family home, built around 1876, has been fixed up. It is now a museum where you can see how the family lived. Another museum building shows many old farm tools and items from long ago. You can take guided tours from late May through early September. The park also offers fun activities like swimming, picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding.
This special farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It is known as the Watters Smith Farm on Duck Creek.
Awesome Mountain Biking Trails
Watters Smith Park has become a super popular spot for mountain biking. If you love to ride, this park is for you! It even has a special area to wash and fix your bike.
The park offers over 12 miles of exciting trails. These are "single track" trails, meaning they are narrow paths just wide enough for one bike. Some parts are tricky with rocks and roots, and there are lots of hills to climb and go down.
You'll find up-to-date maps and clear signs on all the trails. This makes it easy to find your way around. Whether you're just starting out or you're an expert rider, Watters Smith Park has trails for every skill level.
