Lodging 

            Copyrighted - 2009  North Central Byways and Backways  

 

Osage - Scene of many exciting events in the 1920s/1930s Scotts Run Mine Wars, it is now a sleepy town. Former coal company houses dot the hillside. Learn about the community’s heritage at Al Anderson’s Shoe Repair by the post office.

 

Star City - With Morgantown, Star City was the center of the hand-blown and decorated glassware industry originating in 1896. Stop in at L.G. Glass Co., the sole retailer of this glassware. Along with river access, the city features the Caperton Rail Trailhead.... more

 

Morgantown - The largest town on the three byways began in 1785 as Morgan’s Town, a frontier outpost of 50 acres of Zackwill Morgan's land. The town started to blossom in 1867 with the arrival of West Virginia University (WVU), and has grown to almost 60,000 residents, half of whom are students. Morgantown has many amenities that have earned it the title "best small city in America." ..... more

 

Sabraton - Lined with commercial businesses, this part of Morgantown features Marilla Park and a Deckers Creek Rail Trailhead. Visit Marilla Park for recreation ....more

 

Rock Forge - From 1798 to 1855, Samuel Hanaway ran a water-powered iron forge to make plows, tools, and cut nails from the pig iron smelted at the Dellslow Valley Furnace. Only the iron master’s stone house (by the convenience store) remains of this once bustling operation.

 

Richard - An inviting canopy of trees grace this community built by Elkins Coal & Coke in 1903. Richard was named for the son of Stephen B. Elkins, company president. Extensive underground mines fed beehive coke ovens on the east edge of town. Look against the base of the north hillside for low, long, grass-covered rise burying the ovens. 

 

Dellslow - The byway crosses Deckers Creek near the site of Arthur Guseman's 1807 woolen and flour mill. A century later, ElkinsCoal & Coke opened a large mine here. Follow signs on Beulah Rd to Mellon Chapel Rail Trailhead. Detour 2 miles on Tyrone Rd to stroll through the Botanic Gardens.

 

Greer - En route to this large limestone works, Rt. 7 climbs 1000  feet in the scenic gorge that Deckers Creek cut through Chestnut Ridge. At pull-offs are views of a boulder-choked stream bordered with Mountain Laurel and the state flower, the Rhododendron. One mile east of Tyrone Road, is the the “Miracle Mile,” of Class 4 and 5 rapids and waterfalls for the boldest kayakers. Top of page

Masontown - Just 13 miles east of Morgantown, this small town began at a turnpike crossroads in the mid-1800s. Arrival of the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad in 1902 brought the Elkins Coal & Coke works. Farming now sustains the town and the unique Street's hardware/grocery, a pharmacy, and pizzeria. The lively All Good Music Festival is held .... more

Reedsville - Nestled in Preston County's best farmland, this town of 500 also began at a turnpike crossroads of the mid-1800s. Reedsville boasts of some fine late-Victorian and early-20th century homes, as well as .... more

 

Arthurdale - A premier historical attraction, Arthurdale was founded in 1933 as the first of several New Deal planned communities. As Eleanor Roosevelt's pet project of the Great Depression, it was built to be self-sufficient. The Arthurdale legacy lives on .... more

 

Kingwood - The Preston County seat of 3,000 is rich in culture and history. Incorporated in 1811, arrival of the railroads and coal mines supported a modern Victorian downtown, now a National Register Historic District of 103 buildings. Downtown houses unique art and antique shops. Kingwood is renown for the annual Buckwheat Festival every .... more

 

On Briery Mountain, stop at Old Tavern Antiques, in a 1920s tavern, for free gourmet coffee while browsing antiques. Or, turn at Rag Tavern Road to access the Allegheny Trail marked by 2 x 6 inch yellow tree blazes. Enjoy 4-season vistas of picturesque farms and woods at the ridge top.

 

Terra Alta - Named for its elevation of 2,582 feet, the byway’s highest town (1,500 residents) was incorporate in 1860. In the early 1850s, arrival of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the 3 linking turnpikes (including Rt 7) helped the town prosper. The past prosperity is preserved .... more