227:. In 1888, Davis decided to continue expanding this line southward from Thomas through the rugged Blackwater Canyon to Hendricks. This astonishing feat, accomplished over the course of a year, required excavating road cuts sometimes hundreds of feet high into Backbone Mountain. To allow the rail to traverse several deep ravines and rushing tributaries, a number of gigantic stone archways and culverts were constructed. The most impressive of these is located at Big Run. It is about 60 feet (18 m) long, 25 feet (7.6 m) wide and 30 feet (9.1 m) high. Several wrecks and derailments occurred in the vicinity of the Big Run culvert, owing to the sharpness of the curve that trains had to negotiate at this point.
255:
270:. By 1910, fires swept over the wasteland, often burning continuously from spring until the first snows. In 1914, with the Canyon virtually denuded of standing trees, the ground burned continually for 6 months. When the fires subsided, thin mineral soil and bare rock were all that remained. Uncontrollable soil erosion and flooding further degraded and depopulated the region. Large-scale
48:
17:
174:
345:(AWP), an international exporter of Appalachian hardwoods. Initially, AWP began timbering the lower reaches of the canyon and staked out several development sites. When activists expressed concern for the ecological, historical, and recreational losses to be incurred, AWP began to work with government agencies on preserving the natural integrity of the area.
316:
From the 1930s to the 1950s, various leases and donations to the state from the power company resulted in the procurement and expansion of the
Blackwater Falls State Park (BFSP), which was established in 1937 as a 934 acres (3.78 km) park at the head of the Canyon, including the renowned 62-foot
159:
Trails on both sides of the canyon lead down to several sections of spectacular rapids. In addition, on the northwestern canyon rim is the Canyon Rim Trail (USFS Trail 117), accessed by Canyon Rim Road, with its Big Run
Overlook. Intermediate between rim and rapids is Limerock Trail (USFS Trail 142),
372:
On July 30, 2010 the Forest
Service issued a Record of Decision (RD) with regard to AWP's request for an easement to the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail. The RD states that AWP may have access to the trail on a temporary, as needed, basis to perform maintenance and ensure the safety of trail users and
181:
The "High
Allegheny" region (what is now east-central West Virginia), including Blackwater Canyon, was bypassed by development for many decades as large-scale settlement occurred to its north, south and west while the region itself remained relatively wild. The Canyon first came to widespread public
360:
As of the early 21st century, outside of the BFSP, about half of the land embracing the Canyon is owned by AWP and about half is owned by the MNF. The AWP has proposed selective cutting on its land, but this has been impeded by environmental activists who propose a protected natural status for the
317:(19 m) falls. Plans for the damming of the Canyon and its river never materialized and recreationalists were given greater access to the entire Canyon area, but for many years the lower Canyon remained in a state of limbo, neither permanently protected nor developed and exploited by industry.
340:
negotiated aggressively with the power company for public ownership of the Canyon by the MNF. However, in 1997, Allegheny Power
Systems rejected their offer (of $ 3.5 million) and sold its 2,750-acre (11.1 km) tract to a private developer (for $ 5 million). This developer subsequently resold
297:
project, the south side of the Canyon was excluded from this large-scale preservation effort. Yet, protected by the adjacent newly established public lands, the Canyon began to recover, as healthy second growth forests regenerated.
148:'s Black Fork Grade, which once ran the length of the canyon, has been converted into a hiking trail, the 12.2-mile (19.6 km) Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade Trail (USFS Trail 115), which connects with the
196:
published, “The
Virginia Canaan” about his adventures in the Blackwater Canyon and surrounding areas. For his readers, Strother depicted mountainous vistas of immense spruce and hardwood stands, thick
798:
743:
39:, USA. For many years, it has been the object of controversy as environmental activists have contended with industrial (power, timber, development) interests over its ultimate status.
580:
348:
In 2000, the state purchased the Lindy Point overlook as an addition to BFSP, providing public access to the most scenic overlook along the Canyon rim. AWP also granted the state
557:
369:
proposed $ 5 million as the state's share for a possible purchase of
Blackwater Canyon. The Manchin Administration said it wanted to protect the scenic area from development.
989:
652:
78:, dropping about 1,250 feet (380 m) from 3,000 ft (910 m) to 1,750 ft (530 m). It is a 1,000-foot (300 m) deep chasm separating
999:
475:
Ward, Ken Jr. (2000-05-06). "Underwood deal preserves 6% of
Blackwater land; $ 1.25 million proposal with Allegheny Wood gets state 177 acres of canyon".
361:
entire Canyon area. In addition AWP requested that the Forest
Service grant them an easement to utilize the former railroad grade as a logging haul road.
550:
156:
that feature views of cascades: Tub Run at about 3 miles (4.8 km), Big Run at 4 miles (6.4 km) and
Flatrock Run at 5.5 miles (8.9 km).
95:
91:
262:
Over the next two decades, Davis's interests prospered, but at the cost of devastating environmental damage. Much of Tucker County, including
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rapids). Tributary streams – notably Pendleton Creek and Shay's Run – have formed
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status. The railroad became inactive in 1983 and was designated a hiking trail six years later. In 1995, the
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The Blackwater Chronicle, A Narrative of an Expedition into the Land of Canaan in Randolph County, Virginia
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emergency vehicles. It also states that it is not to be utilized for any purposes related to logging.
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reported in glowing terms on an “expedition” to the remote gorge. Two years later, illustrator
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and the Canyon, were clear-cut, and the landscape converted into a tinderbox by the residual
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114:
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59:
51:
672:
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126:
20:
The Blackwater Canyon, West Virginia; View from Lindy Point looking southwest (downstream)
219:
laid first tracks in eastern West Virginia. By 1884, the railroad had extended along the
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During 1943–44, the rugged cliffs of the Canyon were utilized (as were those at nearby
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36:
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for purchase of additional land in the Canyon, which may be acquired in the future.
254:
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682:
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251:, as the coal mines, coke ovens, and timber industry brought an influx of workers.
208:
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239:, brought industry and expansion to the area. Along the line came towns, such as
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16:
783:
535:
492:
Ward, Ken Jr. (1999-12-01). "Blackwater deal upsets parks chief, memo shows".
27:
is a rugged, heavily wooded, eight-mile (13 km) long gorge carved by the
521:
508:
459:
Chaddon, Pam (2001) “Conserving a Crown Jewel: The Blackwater Canyon Story”,
927:
306:
271:
138:
105:
The land embracing the canyon consists of about 6,000 acres (24 km) of
173:
160:
which descends gradually into the canyon over about 4 miles (6.4 km).
134:
153:
223:
to the North Fork of the Blackwater River at the newly formed town of
313:, prepared soldiers for combat in the mountainous terrain of Europe.
152:
near its northern end. The trail crosses three major tributaries on
177:
The massive stone culvert (1888–89) at Big Run in Blackwater Canyon
253:
172:
87:
46:
15:
539:
285:
projects, brought new hope to the region. Owned at the time by
309:
for mountain climbing instruction. This school, part of the
274:
timbering in the Canyon has not occurred again since 1914.
182:
attention in the mid-19th century. In 1853, travel writer
204:
and an untamed canyon carved by a wild, raging river.
217:
West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway Company
910:
889:
858:
827:
736:
640:
589:
573:
235:The railroad, which was taken over in 1905 by the
581:Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
66:to the confluence of the Blackwater River with
258:leftBlackwater Canyon (postcard of circa 1930)
551:
365:In January 2008, then West Virginia Governor
207:In 1881, coal and timber magnate (and former
8:
287:West Virginia Power and Transmission Company
393:de Hart, Allen and Bruce Sundquist (2006),
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544:
536:
990:Landforms of Tucker County, West Virginia
455:
453:
389:
387:
395:Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide
281:(MNF) in 1920, and its anti-erosion and
129:, squirrel, numerous bird species, and
383:
121:, and rhododendron also predominate.
7:
58:The canyon extends from the foot of
1000:Canyons and gorges of West Virginia
399:West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
86:(to the southeast). (This affords
14:
221:North Branch of the Potomac River
336:status. For the next two years,
54:at the head of Blackwater Canyon
332:recommended the Blackwater for
125:inhabit the canyon, along with
627:Roaring Plains West Wilderness
293:) and slated for an elaborate
1:
465:, Vol. 65, No. 3; March 2001.
102:high above the canyon floor.
617:Laurel Fork South Wilderness
612:Laurel Fork North Wilderness
190:(“Porte Crayon”) wrote, and
995:Monongahela National Forest
567:Monongahela National Forest
324:recommended the Canyon for
311:West Virginia Maneuver Area
279:Monongahela National Forest
1016:
933:Fernow Experimental Forest
804:South Branch Potomac River
966:
953:Mill Point Federal Prison
574:National Recreation Areas
415:Kennedy, Philip Pendleton
403:Charleston, West Virginia
326:National Natural Landmark
237:Western Maryland Railroad
184:Philip Pendleton Kennedy
146:Western Maryland Railway
90:a whitewater river with
82:(to the northwest) from
943:Highland Scenic Highway
658:Back Allegheny Mountain
462:Wonderful West Virginia
343:Allegheny Wood Products
291:Allegheny Power Systems
948:Middle Mountain Cabins
622:Otter Creek Wilderness
435:Strother, David Hunter
350:right of first refusal
259:
178:
55:
21:
938:Gaudineer Scenic Area
641:Mountains and summits
607:Dolly Sods Wilderness
338:The Conservation Fund
334:Wild and Scenic River
322:National Park Service
277:Establishment of the
257:
188:David Hunter Strother
176:
50:
19:
632:Spice Run Wilderness
602:Cranberry Wilderness
597:Big Draft Wilderness
213:Henry Gassaway Davis
117:forest. Oak, maple,
918:Bear Rocks Preserve
828:Canyons and valleys
814:Tygart Valley River
703:North Fork Mountain
522:39.0963°N 79.5474°W
518: /
439:The Virginia Canaan
330:U.S. Forest Service
133:dens. Wildflowers (
33:Allegheny Mountains
890:Observation towers
698:Mount Porte Crayon
653:Allegheny Mountain
494:Charleston Gazette
478:Charleston Gazette
423:Redfield, New York
283:forest restoration
260:
179:
131:timber rattlesnake
56:
22:
977:
976:
970:US Forest Service
928:Cheat Summit Fort
850:Smoke Hole Canyon
835:Blackwater Canyon
737:Rivers and creeks
663:Backbone Mountain
527:39.0963; -79.5474
444:Harper's Magazine
113:and pine upland,
80:Backbone Mountain
25:Blackwater Canyon
1007:
881:Cranberry Glades
871:Spruce Knob Lake
789:Greenbrier River
754:Blackwater River
718:Shavers Mountain
590:Wilderness areas
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448:
447:, 8:18-36, 1855.
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341:this holding to
193:Harper's Monthly
60:Blackwater Falls
52:Blackwater Falls
29:Blackwater River
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764:Cranberry River
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728:Spruce Mountain
673:Burner Mountain
648:Allegheny Front
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397:, 8th edition,
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150:Allegheny Trail
127:white-tail deer
100:hanging valleys
84:Canaan Mountain
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958:Sinks of Gandy
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923:Camp Allegheny
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911:Other features
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859:Lakes and bogs
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845:Germany Valley
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819:Williams River
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693:Gaudineer Knob
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688:Cheat Mountain
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289:(later called
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866:Lake Sherwood
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840:Canaan Valley
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496:. p. 1A.
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481:. p. 1A.
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320:In 1970, the
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295:hydroelectric
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264:Canaan Valley
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202:rhododendrons
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119:yellow poplar
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115:second-growth
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81:
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70:(forming the
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53:
49:
42:
40:
38:
37:West Virginia
34:
30:
26:
18:
968:
834:
809:Shavers Fork
799:Seneca Creek
779:Gauley River
713:Seneca Rocks
683:Champe Rocks
503:
493:
487:
476:
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460:
442:
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430:
418:
410:
394:
359:
356:21st century
347:
319:
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303:Seneca Rocks
300:
276:
261:
234:
231:20th century
209:U.S. Senator
206:
191:
180:
169:19th century
158:
143:
104:
96:Class III-IV
57:
24:
23:
902:Olson Tower
897:Bickle Knob
876:Summit Lake
794:Laurel Fork
759:Cheat River
723:Spruce Knob
708:River Knobs
678:Bickle Knob
668:Barton Knob
525: /
405:, pp 87-90.
367:Joe Manchin
92:Class IV-V+
43:Description
35:of eastern
984:Categories
784:Glady Fork
749:Black Fork
513:79°32′51″W
510:39°05′47″N
378:References
141:) abound.
123:Black bear
72:Black Fork
774:Elk River
307:U.S. Army
305:) by the
272:clear-cut
268:slashings
139:jewelweed
76:Hendricks
769:Dry Fork
245:Limerock
215:and his
154:culverts
135:soapwort
88:kayakers
68:Dry Fork
744:Big Run
425:, 1853.
249:Coketon
241:Douglas
198:laurels
164:History
111:hemlock
74:) near
31:in the
225:Thomas
107:spruce
64:Davis
62:near
247:and
200:and
144:The
94:and
986::
452:^
441:,
437:,
421:,
417:,
401:,
386:^
243:,
211:)
137:,
109:,
559:e
552:t
545:v
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