West Virginia Historic Preservation Calendar 2022: Historic Lodgings
Pierce SM. 2022. West Virginia Historic Preservation Calendar 2022: Historic Lodgings. West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
From the front cover: "Washington Slept Here... They say George Washington laid his head to rest in hundreds of locations throughout western Virginia. It is nice to imagine but hard to confirm those claims without receipts or signed "Do Not Disturb" notices from the establishments. Imagine how many honor points our first president could have racked up if the program existed then! Travelling West Virginia's rugged terrain has been a challenge throughout our history. Early travelers faced long hours on rough roads and trails; today's travelers still can face long trips to their destinations. Inns and hotels served, and still serve a vital role in West Virginia and are important to the economies of communities large and small. Many early inns and some 20th century examples remain an important part of our historic landscape. Inns and hotels were found in practical locations. Elmhurst in Caldwell, Greenbrier County served travelers on the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. Because this home stood at the river's crossing point, it was a good stopping point on a journey. Traveler's Rest outside Burlington served the stage coach line on the Northwestern Turnpike (US Route 50). The Willard Hotel in Grafton, Taylor County, served B&O Railroad passengers, and the Hotel McCreery in Hinton, Summers County, rented rooms to travelers on the C&O Railroad. The streamline design of the Kool Wink Motel outside Romney represents the automobile age as more West Virginians took to the roads in the mid-20th century. This year's calendar includes grand hotels as well as cozy and quaint inns. Like many others, I have missed being able to travel during the pandemic. When I get back on the road I will look forward to a warm Mountaineer greeting. And just like our first president, I will rest my head peacefully. - Susan M. Pierce" Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the State Historic Preservation Office - West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P21AF11078).
- Type
- Generic Multimedia
- Authors
- Pierce, Susan
- Date of Issue
- 2022
- Publisher
- West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
- Units
- HPF