RO U T
Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association
60 H IS T O
Our Association
Formed in 1988 as a volunteer non-profit heritage preservation a n d e con omic de ve lopme n t organization, the Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association (MTSHA) is dedicated to enhancement of the Trail for those who work, live, and visit here, now and for the future. Small towns, villages, businesses, and those interested in preserving history and the natural beauty along old U.S. Route 60 comprise our 300+ members and supporters.
Geoffrey Skaggs, President
An America’s Byway
In 2000, the U.S. Congress honored Midland Trail/U.S. Route 60 with the prestigious designation of National Scenic Byway, while WV-DOH designated the western 59 miles as a State Scenic Byway. The Trail’s byway designation recognizes its integral role in the history and development of our nation and acknowledges the area’s unique scenic, natural, recreational, historic, and cultural qualities. From our centralized office in Charleston, we are building a 180-mile linear community focused on economic and tourism development in the six counties through which U.S. Route 60 travels. Our aim is to enhance the visitor experience with upto-date travel information on attractions and special events, improved wayfinding and visitor amenities, and interpretation of the Byway’s rich history and natural qualities. 2504 Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, WV 25311
Board of Directors
Publisher
Photographers
Geoffrey Skaggs Fayette County President Danielle Snidow Kanawha County Vice-President Brenda Campbell Putnam County Secretary
Alice Hypes Executive Director
Aaron Kenstler 304-989-4515 Alice Hypes 304-343-6001 G.P. Cooper 304-645-6439
Directors Ric Griffith Wayne County Bob Anderson Kanawha County Nan Morgan Greenbrier County
getart@coopergallery.com
Miriah Hamrick John Womack Kathryn Dotson
Bob Bird 304-346-7533
Editorial Assistants
T. Paige Dalporto 304-779-9691 Rick Lee 304-545-6288
Tyler Brown Sarah Breck Reishman
Cover Illustration Title: Virginia’s Chapel Slave Cemetary Burial by: Beth Crowder
304-873-2347
bobbirdphoto.com
Steve Payne 304-343-7254 stevepayne.com
ricklee@rickleephoto.com
Amy Fauber 304-343-6001 Penny Johnson 304-389-4979
pennyjohnsonphotography.zenfolio.com
Jack Taylor 304-445-2115 Rick Haye /Marshall University 304-696-3181 WV Division of Tourism 800-Call-WVA
© July 2012, vol.9 issue 1. The Official Midland Trail Destination Guide is published annually Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association, Inc. (MTSHA) PO Box 1549, Charleston, WV 25326. Alice Hypes, Executive Director / Publisher. Neither MTSHA nor QuikPage Publishing Company is responsible for errors or omissions that might occur and listings and advertisements do not imply endorsement. ©2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, including any information retrieval system known or hereafter invented, without express written permission, is strictly prohibited. To advertise in the next issue contact MTSHA 304-343-6001.
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Welcome to Midland Trail
As Executive Director, I invite you to enjoy that special travel experience that comes by leaving the interstate behind to take “the old road.”
Alice Hypes, Executive Director
Midland Trail National Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 60), the state’s oldest scenic byway, is a well-paved dual-lane highway that stretches border to border across south central West Virginia between Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs through Ansted, past the Capitol in Charleston, and on to Kenova and Huntington.
A Road For All
Visitors treasure the Midland Trail for a variety of reasons. For many, Route 60 is simply where they live or work. Others use Route 60 as the most direct route to the outdoor adventure, sports, and relaxation offered in West Virginia’s rivers, lakes, gorges, forests, and streams. Relocated West Virginians use it to return to the “old home place.” History buffs come for the Civil and Revolutionary War and pioneer history, or to retrace the paths their ancestors used to escape to freedom from slavery. For others, it is industrial history that brings them here— the smokestacks of the place where Grandpa worked in the chemical, coal, or other industry. The Byway has three distinct areas, each with its own culture and unique offerings, as you will learn on page 12.
Using the Guide
Our Guide offers a mix of historical information and current attractions for each of the 40+ towns, villages, and cities that dot the 180-mile byway. Plan your trip using the special sections in the Guide: Accommodations (p. 72-79) lists all the lodgings and their amenities; Dining (p. 83-91) lists special places to dine; Family Fun (p. 92-93) lists attractions the whole family will enjoy; and Shopping (p. 80-82) lists shops with antiques, and/or West Virginia art and artisans. Links to these amenities are found at www.midlandtrail.com.
Blue Mile Markers
304-343-6001 / 866-ROUTE-60
Copy Editors
R IC
www.midlandtrail.com
Watch for the blue byway mile markers (right) that point the way along the Trail from the Ohio/ Kentucky border at Kenova to the Virginia border. The Guide uses corresponding mile markers (MM) to help plan your travel. The State Capitol is MM-59. Huntington is MM-10. Lewisburg is MM-162.
Tourist Information
A wealth of knowledge, brochures, and information about area attractions is available at the Midland Trail Visitors Information Center at 2504 Kanawha Blvd. East (MM-60), the Ansted Museum (MM-104), the South Charleston Mound and Midland Trail Interpretive Center (MM53) and the Convention and Visitors Bureaus (list p.94), especially those in the towns of Huntington, Hurricane, South Charleston, Lewisburg, and White Sulphur Springs.
Website
Always check www.midlandtrail.com for the most up-to-date travel info! We, and the 300+ partners along the Trail, welcome you and remind you that ... adventure begins at the exit ramp.
Come Closer. We Have Stories to Tell. Our Association
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