Seeking the Civil War in the Potomac Highlands

Returning to the Morgantown area from our geocaching blitz on the Eastern Panhandle, we wanted to take the scenic route and maximize the number of WV Civil War Trail caches we picked up, so we devised a route that would enable us to pick up seven of the geocaches. The route is pictured below:

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Wardensville VC (287-327 W Virginia 259): this cache is located at the local historical society. Wardensville, today, is a picturesque small town that is reminiscent of Mayberry (though strongly reminds me of my mother’s hometown of Merritt, British Columbia). Wardensville, in addition to its role in the civil war (there is a marker at this location), was also the population center of the United States in 1820, the first of four times it would be in what would become West Virginia.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Olivet Cemetery (Olivet Dr): It is not uncommon in West Virginia to discover links to the Civil War in cemeteries and indeed in this series many cemeteries are visited. In this case, overlooking part of Moorefield, this cemetery is the final resting place of many of those who fought but is also saw action. It was so difficult to imagine, standing on a silent, Sunday morning young men firing on each other in what is a place intended to be peaceful. Moorefield is also home to a new Sheetz which came in handy at this point.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Taggart Hall (91 S High Street): The first stage of this cache is at a local museum and the second just a short drive away, requiring the dime tour of Romney. The continued existence of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney is currently threatened, its campus is breathtaking and its history is inspiring.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Ft. Mill Ridge (Unnamed Rd): This fort was built to control the Northwestern Turnpike, modern day U.S. Route 50, and is well-preserved in part of a wildlife management area. The interpretive markers also hold nothing back in describing how challenging the winter of 1863 was, one of the coldest on record. Even on a warm day, this ridge is breezy, imagining freezing temperatures in May seems unimaginably miserable. I can’t help but wonder what was on the minds of the troops up here at that time.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Larenim Park (Patterson Creek Rd): Frankly, I couldn’t figure out the significance of this site in the Civil War. The location seemed a little strange. We had to drive back into a park that had a small reservoir, walk across the dam, and then do a little bit of bushwhacking.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 3 – Claysville UMC (U.S. 50): The little spec of a church here stood and held services for both Union and Confederate soldiers and different parts of war. While the differences between the two sides are so often focused on, here is one similarity that has been preserved.

WV Civil War Trail Zone 2 – Battle of Rowlesburg (656 Cannon Hill Rd): Having never been to Rowlesburg previously, this was a treat. We never realized how significant the railroad or the river was and is in Rowlesburg. Indeed, control over the railroad is what drew attention to Rowlesburg from both sides in the war. The tracks still run through town, and there are some old bridges and infrastructure that certainly ignited a spark in Chris’s railfan heart.

From here, we carried on to Morgantown. Due to our efforts this day, we had found enough Zone 3 caches to be eligible for the coin and were only two caches away from being eligible for the Zone 2 cache. Thus really only leaving Zone 1 needing sizable work to conquer.