20 Pocahontas County Facts For West Virginia Day
As we approach the anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood on June 20, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the best of our state. From thrilling outdoor adventures to rich cultural heritage, West Virginia has much to offer, especially here in Nature’s Mountain Playground. Here are 20 Pocahontas County facts for West Virginia Day.
1. Birthplace of a Literary Legend
Pocahontas County is the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck, the celebrated author of “The Good Earth.” She received the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. Buck was also a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and civil rights. Born in Hillsboro in 1892, her family home now serves as a museum and hosts quilting and art workshops throughout the summer and fall.
2. One of the East’s Largest Wilderness Areas
Established in 1983 and expanded in 2009, the Cranberry Wilderness Area is one of the largest wilderness areas in the eastern United States. Spanning over 47,000 acres, it’s a sanctuary for black bears and a destination for experienced hikers, bikers and hunters who enjoy its rugged terrain.
3. The Largest West Virginia State Park
Watoga State Park, located near Seebert, is the largest state park in West Virginia. Most of the park was developed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Between the 1930s and early 1940s, three CCC camps — Camp Watoga, Camp Seebert and Camp Will Rogers — were established, leading to the construction of cabins, trails, an 11-acre lake and many of the park’s facilities that are still in use today.
4. A Unique Botanical Area
The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area features five boreal-type bogs covering 750 acres at over 3,000 feet in elevation. It’s one of the most unique ecosystems in the region, and also has an unexpected history. Nearby once stood the Mill Point Federal Prison, which operated from 1938 to 1959. While the prison structures are long gone, visitors can still explore the site and learn more by walking the Cranberry Glades Boardwalk.
5. A Preserved Timber Town
Founded in 1901 as a company town for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, Cass thrived as a hub for the timber industry until 1960. That same year, the state preserved the area as Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Today, visitors can ride historic steam locomotives to former logging sites, stay in restored company houses and take tours of the town that bring the area’s rich industrial past to life.
6. The Site of a Pivotal Civil War Battle
The Battle of Droop Mountain, fought on November 6, 1863, was one of the largest and most brutal Civil War battles, with Union forces defeating the Confederates. Now, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park — West Virginia’s oldest state park, established in 1928 — features interpretive hiking trails, a museum with battlefield artifacts and an overlook tower with sweeping views of the Little Levels valley.
7. The Pocahontas County Quilt Trail
Launched in 2013 to commemorate West Virginia’s 150th birthday, the Pocahontas County Quilt Trail features 19 quilt patterns displayed on barns across the county. These colorful pieces of public art are more than decorative — many patterns date back to the 19th century and are believed to have conveyed secret messages during the Civil War, aiding escaping slaves and communicating political sentiments.
8. Among the First Settled Areas West of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Pocahontas County is home to one of the earliest known settled regions west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 1749, Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell — two of the first known European settlers in what is now West Virginia — established a homestead along the Greenbrier River before there were any formal towns or county lines. According to local legend, a disagreement over religion led Sewell to move into a nearby hollowed-out sycamore tree, while Marlin remained in the cabin. Despite their differences, the two continued to live peacefully side by side.
9. A Fort Tied to Revolutionary War History
More than 125 militia members trained at Fort Warwick before heading to the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, which some historians consider the first engagement of the American Revolutionary War. The fort remained active through the war, providing refuge to settlers during ongoing conflicts. Visitors can now explore Fort Warwick through archaeological digs, museum tours and traditional maple syrup demonstrations during Mountain State Maple Days.
10. Howe’s Leather Tannery
In the town of Frank near Durbin, Howe’s Leather Tannery began operations in 1904 and became one of the world’s largest producers of shoe sole leather. Using tannin-rich bark from local chestnut, oak and hemlock trees, the tannery helped fuel local industry. Howe’s Leather Tannery also developed a chrome re-tanning process that created mold-resistant insoles for military boots used in the Vietnam War.
11. An Old-Growth Forest
The 140-acre Gaudineer Scenic Area near Durbin includes 50 acres of virgin red spruce forest, with some trees over 300 years old. The untouched landscape, part of a designated National Natural Landmark, feels like stepping into a magical fairytale forest.
12. An Out-Of-This-World Site
Established in 1956, the Green Bank Observatory was the first national astronomy observatory in the United States. The observatory’s early work led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the first unambiguous detection of a radio recombination line in 1965. Visitors can tour the observatory, explore the science center, hike and bike nearby trails and attend star parties.
13. A Ski Resort Born From an Aerial View
In April 1973, Dr. Thomas H. “Doc” Brigham flew over the snow-covered Cheat Mountains and envisioned a ski resort on the former logging land below. Seeing the potential for a longer winter sports season in Pocahontas County than most of the East Coast, he set plans in motion. Just over a year later, in December 1974, Snowshoe Mountain Resort opened to skiers. The resort’s name honors the snowshoe hare, a native species whose white winter coat blends seamlessly into the mountain’s snowy landscape.
14. International Dark Sky Parks
In October 2021, Watoga State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and Calvin Price State Forest received West Virginia’s first International Dark Sky Place designation. This prestigious title is held by only 22 places east of the Mississippi River.
15. West Virginia’s Longest Rail Trail
Originally part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, the Greenbrier River Trail runs 78 miles through dense forest, remote backcountry and small towns. The line was abandoned in the late 1970s, and the tracks were removed in 1979. A year later, it reopened as a multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
16. A Century-Old Cultural Hub
The Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton, part of the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail, hosts an annual series of performances that includes bluegrass, jazz, folk, square dancing, musical theater and more. Originally built in 1910, the building was restored and reopened in 1999 by the Pocahontas County Historic Landmarks Commission. With seating for about 250, the venue offers an intimate setting for live performances.
17. A Gateway to the Mon
Pocahontas County is home to nearly one-third of the Monongahela National Forest — West Virginia’s largest national forest. The “Mon,” as locals call it, features over 400 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Popular destinations include Falls of Hills Creek, Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and Highland Scenic Highway.
18. The State’s Longest Hiking Trail
Created in 1974, the Allegheny Trail (ALT) is West Virginia’s longest hiking trail, stretching 311 miles from the Pennsylvania border to the Virginia border, where it connects with the Appalachian Trail. An 86-mile stretch winds through Pocahontas County, passing through Durbin, Marlinton, Cass, Seneca State Forest, Calvin Price State Forest, Watoga State Park and the ridge near Green Bank Observatory.
19. A Designated Ride Center for Mountain Biking
Pocahontas County is home to West Virginia’s first International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Ride Center™. The Silver-Level Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center provides more than 400 miles of trails for all skill levels. The recently opened Monday Lick Trail System is part of a push for Gold-Level designation, which would make it the first Gold-Level Ride Center on the East Coast.
20. Maple Syrup Traditions
With one of the highest concentrations of maple trees in the country, Pocahontas County has a long tradition of maple syrup making. Each February and March, Mountain State Maple Days provide visitors the opportunity to tour farms, watch demonstrations and sample maple candy, cotton candy, popcorn and more.
We’ve shared the facts, so now it’s your turn to explore Pocahontas County. Request your free Adventure Guide to start planning your trip.