Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Encyclopedia
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is a state park
located on Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County
, West Virginia
. Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War
in West Virginia. A private
in the U.S. Army at the Battle of Droop Mountain
, John D. Sutton, became the leader in the movement to create the park when he served in the West Virginia House of Delegates
. Dedicated on July 4, 1928, Droop Mountain Battlefield became the first state park
in West Virginia
.
The battlefield was transformed into a historical, outdoor recreation area by the Civilian Conservation Corps
during the Great Depression
. Public reenactments of the battle are conducted in October of even-numbered years by the West Virginia Reenactors Association. The next reenactment is scheduled for October, 2010.
The park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1970.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located about 25 miles (40.2 km) north of the Lewisburg
exit of I-64 on U.S. Highway 219 and about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Marlinton
on US 219. The park is also near Beartown State Park
and Watoga State Park
.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located on Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in West Virginia. A private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the U.S. Army at the Battle of Droop Mountain
Battle of Droop Mountain
The Battle of Droop Mountain was a battle in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, that occurred November 6, 1863, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces engaged, but failed to prevent Union forces under Brigadier General W.W. Averell from a rendezvous with other Federal troops in a joint...
, John D. Sutton, became the leader in the movement to create the park when he served in the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
. Dedicated on July 4, 1928, Droop Mountain Battlefield became the first state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
The battlefield was transformed into a historical, outdoor recreation area by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Public reenactments of the battle are conducted in October of even-numbered years by the West Virginia Reenactors Association. The next reenactment is scheduled for October, 2010.
The park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1970.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located about 25 miles (40.2 km) north of the Lewisburg
Lewisburg, West Virginia
Lewisburg is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,830 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Greenbrier County.-Geography:Lewisburg is located at ....
exit of I-64 on U.S. Highway 219 and about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Marlinton
Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.-History:...
on US 219. The park is also near Beartown State Park
Beartown State Park
Beartown State Park is a state park located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia, in northern Greenbrier County, West Virginia . The land was purchased in 1970 with funds from the Nature Conservancy and a donation from Mrs. Edwin G...
and Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park is the largest of West Virginia’s state parks, covering slightly over . It is located near Seebert in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.-History:...
.
Features
- Droop Mountain Museum with battle artifacts
- Lookout Tower
- hikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
- Picnic areas with shelters
- Tots playgrounds
See also
- American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
- Battle of Droop MountainBattle of Droop MountainThe Battle of Droop Mountain was a battle in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, that occurred November 6, 1863, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces engaged, but failed to prevent Union forces under Brigadier General W.W. Averell from a rendezvous with other Federal troops in a joint...
- List of West Virginia state parks
- State parkState parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
- West Virginia in the American Civil War