It has been a success, in part, because of your continued support. 2. The original CW line between Bridgewater and Pleasant Hill to the north was dismantled in 1987 because of a lack of traffic and in 1989, the railroad shops at Elkton were demolished. 2. This prison has seen it all over the years including several riots, fires and over 100 executions. 1 The company then dismantled the segment from Lexington to Staunton as it was redundant. “Chesapeake Western History Page.”. 19 on the North Bend Rail Trail, the Silver Run Tunnel, watch out for the ghost of the Silver Run. & C. Colton & Co. - Potomac and Ohio Railway Date: 1874 Located in southwestern Virginia, the park features one of the best rail-trails in the country. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! Construction of the C&W began in 1895 in Harrisonburg, 2 and on March 23, 1896, a 26-mile segment between Bridgewater and the Norfolk & Western Railway (N&W) at Elkton opened. 2 Some right-of-way was purchased and some grading began before funding for the WC&StL ran dry in 1874. 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The C&W reorganized as the Chesapeake Western Railway (CW) in 1901, and began construction of an extension into West Virginia and another through the Blue Ridge Mountains at Powell’s Gap, financed by New York investor Thomas Stokes who wanted to develop coal mines in western Rockingham County. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Some were removed and little remains but a grade through the wilderness. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. (owner) and Baltimore and Ohio (operator), for removal of the formers line of rr a distance 1.2 miles located in Barbour County, W. Va., and the latter company to abandon operation of said line over 0.20 miles of line of Western Maryland Railway into Belington, West Va. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Docket: 13348 6/18/1941: Section: 1 App. For over 17 years, Abandoned has been dedicated to documenting abandoned and historic properties across the United States. Have you visited this historic site in Virginia? This Abandoned Railroad Hike Through Virginia Is Nothing Short Of Amazing. N. pag. If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in learning about Virginia’s Historic Railroad Towns. The CW expanded in 1942 when it acquired the B&O between Harrisonburg and Lexington. An out-of-service line that is still owned by a railroad company would still appear on this map, as the point of the map is to show were trains no longer run, not its current legal status. If you go through Tunnel No. Have information about any abandoned rails? 1 It included the erection of railroad shops in Elkton. Stokes continued to operate the CW until his death in 1926. West Virginia enjoys a rich and diverse history, and the railroads played a key role in the story that is West Virginia's history. The C&W was projected to cross the Allegheny Mountains via North River Gap west of Harrisonburg, 1 utilizing a part of the WC&StL right-of-way. The CW between Stokesville and Mt. The railroad track was eventually extended to the top of Bald Knob, the third highest mountain peak in West Virginia. A section of the CW extension was completed to Stokesville at North River Gap to serve several logging railroads in 1902. After Japanese interests offered to buy the line for scrap value in 1938, the CW was acquired by general manager Don Thomas. Incorporated by the West Virginia legislature, 1867-68. Please email me; you will get credit for anything you contribute. Despite the lack of coal revenue and because of its exclusion a joint Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) and N&W “Union Station” in Harrisonburg, the company constructed a larger, more elaborate station in the city in 1913. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences there! Although the CW never reached its lofty expectations, a significant portion of the line remains active today as the Norfolk Southern Chesapeake Western Branch. The Chesapeake Western Railway is an abandoned railroad between Stokesville, Harrisonburg, and Elkton, Virginia. Solon was dismantled in 1930 after the logging railroads it depended upon ceased to operate, and the remainder to Bridgewater was abandoned in 1933. Many of our railroads are thriving, and many more have been abandoned to return to nature. Print. The scenic New River Trail State Park is a prime example. © 2000-2020 Abandoned. In June 1942, the Cass operation was sold to Mower Lumber Company, which operated the town until July 1960, when the mill and railroad were shut down due to rapid decline of the timber industry in the region. The N&W assumed direct control of the CW in 1954. It, A view of a fireplace inside Poplar Hill, an aband, A view of the second-floor foyer inside Poplar Hil, A view of a stairwell inside Poplar Hill, an aband, A view of the laundry room inside Poplar Hill, an, A view of the conservatory inside Poplar Hill, an, A view of a bedroom inside Poplar Hill, an abandon, A view of the dining room inside Poplar Hill, an a, A view of the foyer inside Poplar Hill, an abandon, Poplar Hill is an abandoned mansion most famously, The Hamilton Cottages is an abandoned tourist boar, Wilson, Paul A. Your email address will NOT be displayed as part of your comment, and will only, NOTE: If subscribing, you will receive an email from "AWS" prompting to confirm your subscription by. West Virginia’s rail trails are a good example of repurposing an abandoned place. of Belington and Northern RRCo. SC# 4010.”. Please consider donating to Abandoned today. Elswick, Samuel T., and Tony Madison, eds. Contributor: G.W. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Despite its early potential as a through route between Cincinnati and Washington D.C., and later as a feeder to the coal mines in West Virginia, the railroad never lived up to its potential. The Chesapeake Western Railway is an abandoned railroad between Stokesville, Harrisonburg, and Elkton, Virginia. 2 The railroad was quickly renamed the Chesapeake & Western Railroad (C&W). Former depot at Stokesville has been converted into a residence. The trail is nearly 60 miles in length and can be enjoyed hikers and bikers alike. Virginia’s extensive railroad history makes for some incredible opportunities for exploring. Some were removed and little remains but a grade through the wilderness. Sherman Cahal is a historian and photographer based in a small town in upstate New York. Located in southwestern Virginia, the park features one of the best rail-trails in the country. of Belington and Northern RRCo. In 1892, several promoters incorporated the Chesapeake, Shendun & Western Railroad to haul coal from West Virginia to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) at Gloucester Point, Virginia. West Virginia Penitentiary opened back in 1875 and it is widely regarded as being one of the most haunted prisons in the United States – it is definitely one of the most haunted places in West Virginia. The route included a five-mile, 2% grade over Massanutten Mountain west of Elkton and a 1.8% grade at Keezletown Hill. All fields are required. Add your comments for this page here. RECORDS. It’s not commo, A view of the c. 1873 Milk Building / Dry Store Bu, A view of the c. 1874 Home Building east wing. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Thank you! The scenic New River Trail State Park is a prime example. The Washington, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad (WC&StL) was chartered in 1871 in Virginia as a narrow-gauge railway that would operate from Washington, D.C. west to Elkton, Harrisonburg, and Bridgewater, Virginia, through central West Virginia, before terminating in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1 The former B&O south of Pleasant Valley was mothballed in 1985 and in 1993, was sold to the Buckingham Branch Railroad which became the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. Get more stories delivered right to your email. All Rights Reserved. A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. Middle Atlantic area showing drainage, cities and towns, county boundaries, coal in West Virginia and the railroads with emphasis on the main line. And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: For more information about New River Trail State Park as well as information pertaining to different access points, be sure to visit the. “CHESAPEAKE WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. Despite its early potential as a through route between Cincinnati and Washington D.C., and later as a feeder to the coal mines in West Virginia, the railroad … It’s not common to come across an intact County, A view of the c. 1899 Infirmary. Unfortunately, western Virginia’s coal proved to be of little value and there was not enough financing to construct the CW further west or east. “The Crooked and Weedy: A History of Virginia’s Chesapeake Western Railway.” Harrisonburg: Don Mills, Inc.: n.p., 1992. Many of our railroads are thriving, and many more have been abandoned to return to nature. Love Virginia? 2 But after he became mired in financial technicalities, his brother purchased control of the C&W in 1900 and renamed it Tidewater & West Virginia Railroad, although the name reverted to the CW in 1901. (owner) and Baltimore and Ohio (operator), for removal of the formers line of rr a distance 1.2 miles located in Barbour County, W. Va., and the latter company to abandon operation of said line over 0.20 miles of line of Western Maryland Railway into Belington, West Va. West Virginia enjoys a rich and diverse history, and the railroads played a key role in the story that is West Virginia's history. App. Learn how your comment data is processed. Virginia’s extensive railroad history makes for some incredible opportunities for exploring. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. The purchase was underwritten by the N&W who saw the line as an important connector for its railroad. The rails that once transported trains are long gone, but now you can hike or horseback ride on the graveled trails. Here’s more on this fascinating abandoned railroad track that spans from Fries to Pulaski. 2 The company then fell into the hands of his estate who mismanaged the railroad.

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