Entrance to Fort Mulligan

Fort Mulligan

During the Civil War, both Federal or Confederate troops occupied the hill and surrounding area beginning at least as early as August, 1861.  the fort, itself, was built by Union Colonel James A. Mulligan, from Illinois, along with his 23rd Illinois troops and more from Ohio, Pennsylvania and western Virginia. 

During an expedition to the area in 1864, Major General Jubal A. Early praised the fortifications and commended the efforts of the men.  The fort is still regarded as one of the best preserved fortifications in West Virginia.

Discover West Virginia's Largest Caverns!

Hidden beneath the Earth's surface, only a few miles form West Virginia's highest peak, lie the beautiful Seneca Caverns - an  underground wonderland.

Seneca Caverns were first discovered and used by the Seneca Indians, one of the six tribes of Iroquois Confederacy, around 1400 A.D.  The Seneca Indians used the caverns for ceremonial ritual, as well as for refuge from harsh weather or enemy tribes.

In 1742, European explorer Laven Teter re-discovered the entrance and began exploration of the caverns interior.  Commercial lantern tours began in 1928; in 1930 electrical lighting was added to insure the safety of guides and tourists.

Open year round.  Call 1-800-239-7647 or visit us on the web at www.senecacaverns.com.

Beautiful rock formations at Seneca Caverns

Fairfax Stone

Marking the junction of Grant, Preston and Tucker Counties, the Fairfax Stone is 2 miles off US 219, 4 miles north of Thomas, West Virginia.  The stone is one of the oldest markers in the United States.  In 1681 Charles II of England granted Lord Hapton 6 million acres in this area.   The grant was inherited by Lord Fairfax in 1722.  Sitting at the source of the north branch of the Potomac River, where three counties converge upon the southern tip of Maryland, the Fairfax Stone comes as near as anything to being a cornerstone for the whole state. Some of the earliest surveys in West Virginia started from the point and some historians believe that the original stone may have been set by George Washington, a surveyor in his youth.  The spot marks the boundary between Maryland and West Virginia and the headwaters of the Potomac River.  Fairfax Stone State Park, a 4-acre West Virginia State park, is located just off of Route 219 north of Thomas, WV.

Sites Homestead

The home, located on the grounds at the visitor center at Seneca Rocks, was originally constructed about 1839 by Jacob sites who moved into the North Fork of the Potomac Valley during the late 1830's.  Reconstruction of the homestead, using locally available materials and skilled craftsmen was completed in May of 1990.  You can tour the home simply by asking at the information desk at the visitor center.  Occasionally, on holiday weekends throughout the summer, a living history tour is available.

Room of a million Stalactites at Smoke Hole

Smoke Hole Caverns

Like much of West Virginia and the Potomac Highlands, the history of Smoke Hole Caverns is tied to the Seneca Indians.  These Native Americans used the front section of the caverns to smoke and preserve venison and wild game.  The slow burning wood fires sent clouds of smoke swirling out into the valley.  The scene was so common that early settlers called the place Smoke Hole.

Legend has it that during the Civil War, gold bars and coins were hidden in the Caverns walls.  To date, none have been found.  The many rooms an secluded nature of the Caverns were also the ideal place for early settlers and immigrants to make corn whisky after the war.  It is estimated that perhaps as many as 20 stills operated at one time.  One has been preserved for you.

The Caverns opened for commercial tour in 1942.

Open year round.  Call 1-800-828-8478 or visit us on the web at www.smokehole.com 

Top Kick's Military Museum

One of the most unique museums in the Potomac Highlands.

The museum was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit organization to preserve and restore military equipment on a limited basis to show the gear, supplies and apparatus that helped keep us free.

Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

1 1/2 miles west of Petersburg on Route 55.

Top Kick's Military Museum

Spring Run Trout Hatchery - Dorcas, WV

Have you ever seen a Golden Trout? 

Trout Hatcheries

Prior to the arrival of the white man, West Virginia was covered with virgin forests.  Streams ran clean and cool, and native brook trout were abundant in the central and eastern portions of the state.  These self-sustaining trout populations provided food for early settlers and Indians.

By the early 1900's, natural trout production had been severely reduced and hatcheries built in an effort to help nature along, were barely successful.  by the early 1950's the operation was much improved and by the the 1970's production was dramatically increased.  Currently, approximately 1.2 million trout weighing 720,000 pounds are being stocked in 185 waterways statewide.

Brook, brown, rainbow and golden rainbow trout are all produced in West Virginia hatcheries.  Petersburg is known as the "Home of the Golden Trout", which is a color mutation of the regular rainbow and was developed using selective breeding at the Petersburg hatchery.

There are two hatcheries located in Grant County, one in Petersburg, and the other in Dorcas, about six miles south of Petersburg.

Visitors are welcome 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..

The Hermitage Inn

Listed in the national Register of Historic Places!  The original Hermitage was built by slave labor in the early 1840's as a private home.  It opened its doors to paying guests in 1881 and was know as the Cunningham Hotel.  At the turn of the century, it became The Oriental with rates of $1.00 per day.  It then became known as The Taylor Hotel before its final naming in 1904.

The hotel has served as headquarters for many; Officers of the Union troops, circuit court judges, sequestered juries, salesmen displaying their wares in the "sample houses," honeymooners, journalists, TV crews, sightseers, hunters and fishermen, to name a few.

The hotel has served meals to travelers and locals since the late 1800's.  The early menus included locally grown fruits, vegetables, fish, fowl and game.  At one time the ringing of the dinner bell at our entrance announced the hour.  On Sundays, the bell signaled ministers to end their sermons.

Today, The Hermitage Inn continues to be an integral part of the community.  enjoy our history and hospitality.   For more information, please call 304 257-4800 or you can e-mail us at hermitage@hardynet.com. On the internet, our address is www.hermitageinn.net.