Camp Bartow Historic District

Camp Bartow Historic District is a collection of preserved structures centered around a former inn and spread across a large site in the Appalachian foothills. The buildings include residences, outbuildings, and a cemetery that reflect settlement patterns and construction methods from the 1800s.

During the Civil War in 1861, a Confederate force used the inn area as a military defensive position during a regional conflict. This military occupation illustrates how the war reached remote mountain communities and altered local life.

The inn at the heart of this district was a stopping point for travelers crossing the mountains and served as a social hub for the early community. It also functioned as the postal center, marking the area's first official connection to broader communication networks.

The site is located at the intersection of two major routes, making it straightforward to reach by car and easy to navigate once you arrive. The warmer months offer the best visiting conditions when mountain roads are most passable.

Writers who visited the inn during different periods incorporated their experiences into published works, giving the place a literary connection. This literary link adds a cultural dimension beyond its role in regional conflicts and settlement history.

Location: West Virginia

GPS coordinates: 38.53420,-79.76780

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:41