Prato Rio, human settlement in West Virginia, United States of America
Prato Rio is a house near Leetown in Jefferson County, West Virginia, showcasing rustic architecture from the early American settlement era. The building combines an original log cabin with limestone sections added later, maintaining its L-shaped structure that dates back to the 1730s.
The house began as a simple log cabin built in 1731 called Hopewell, which was expanded in 1733 when a second building was connected to it. In 1775, General Charles Lee purchased the property, renamed it Prato Rio, and lived there after the Revolutionary War until his death in 1782.
The name Prato Rio refers to a stream through the meadow, given by General Charles Lee who made this place his home. The house reflects how early settlers arranged their living spaces using simple, practical methods.
The house is located on Jefferson County Route 1 near Leetown and remains a private residence not open to the public. The exterior can be viewed from the road, but visitors should respect the property and avoid trespassing on private grounds.
General Charles Lee used chalk lines on floors to mark rooms instead of building actual walls, an unconventional design approach for his time. He also had three dogs named Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to whom he showed great affection and who followed him everywhere.
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