Prickett's Fort State Park

Prickett's Fort State Park is a reconstructed wooden fort set on 188 acres in West Virginia, featuring two-story blockhouses at each corner and a square layout. The property includes trails for walking and designated picnicking areas throughout the grounds.

Captain Jacob Prickett built the original fort in 1774 as a refuge for European settlers during armed conflict in the region. It served as a crucial defensive structure during the colonial period in this part of America.

The fort features daily demonstrations of 18th-century crafts, with interpreters in period dress showing blacksmithing, weaving, and woodworking. You can watch how people once made and maintained the items they relied on every day.

The park is open year-round for hiking and picnicking, while the fort and visitor center operate seasonally from April through October. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the grounds and allow time to explore both the rebuilt structure and the surrounding nature trails.

A house built in 1859 stands near the fort, showing how living conditions changed over time in West Virginia. The building offers a striking contrast to the basic conditions of the original colonial-era fort.

Location: Marion County

Inception: 1975

Website: http://prickettsfortstatepark.com

GPS coordinates: 39.51528,-80.09806

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41