West Warm Springs, Virginia facts for kids
West Warm Springs is a small place in Bath County, Virginia, in the United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it's not officially a town or city with its own local government.
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Discovering West Warm Springs
West Warm Springs is a special place with a rich history. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources honored it with a special plaque. This plaque shows that West Warm Springs is very important to the history of African Americans in Virginia.
How Was West Warm Springs Founded?
This community was started a long time ago, even before the American Civil War. African Americans who had recently gained their freedom bought land west of Warm Springs. They built their own community there. This happened during the "antebellum period," which means the time before the Civil War.
What Jobs Did People Have?
The people living in West Warm Springs found different ways to earn a living. Many worked at nearby places like the Warm Springs Pools or the Homestead Resort. Others became skilled workers, like carpenters or blacksmiths. Some even started their own businesses. West Warm Springs is a great example of a "freedmen's town" in the Appalachian mountains. These were towns built by formerly enslaved people.
Building a Community Together
Over time, the people of West Warm Springs built important places for their community. They created spaces for worship, education, and social gatherings. One very important building is the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery. It was founded in 1873. This church and its cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. This means it's recognized as a historically important site.
