Historical Markers and War Memorials in Hardy County, West Virginia
Moorefield is the county seat for Hardy County
Adjacent to Hardy County, West Virginia
Grant County(32) ► Hampshire County(76) ► Mineral County(75) ► Pendleton County(48) ► Frederick County, Virginia(232) ► Rockingham County, Virginia(114) ► Shenandoah County, Virginia(246) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On Old State Highway 55 at New River Road (County Road 1), on the right when traveling west on Old State Highway 55.
For two nights beginning on May 28, 1862, Union Gen. John C. Frémont and his approximately 20,000-man army camped on the broad, rolling plateau before you. They had marched from Franklin (Pendleton Co.) three days earlier through the rain and . . . — — Map (db m33596) HM
On Fisher Road (County Road 13) 0.3 miles west of U.S. 220, on the left when traveling west.
Names for the river flowing through it, the valley runs from Pendleton to Hampshire County and has some of the state's most productive farm land. During the French and Indian War, Fort Buttermilk protected area settlers. The valley was again the . . . — — Map (db m178372) HM
Near Lower Cove Run Road (West Virginia Route 59) 0.1 miles east of West Virginia Route 259.
While a student at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, Wood formed a society that he named Phi Kappa Chi. He authorized its ritual; created a seal; enlisted family friend, William Nelson Scott, and organized the group in the South Dorm room . . . — — Map (db m49514) HM
On West Virginia Route 259 at Lower Cove Road (Route 59), on the right when traveling south on State Route 259.
300 yards east is the first Lost River Valley Church. Built of logs, prior to 1797, on land deeded by Anthony Miller, 1831, to the Baptists and Presbyterians “to hold in common for a meetinghouse and graveyard.” — — Map (db m48935) HM
On West Virginia Route 259 south of Dove Hollow Road (Local Route 14), on the left when traveling south.
The frame house across the road is Woodlawn, the home of James Ward Wood, who served as a private in Co. F (originally the Hampshire Riflemen), 7th Virginia Cavalry (CS), from January to August 1864. During this period, the unit fought in the . . . — — Map (db m48968) HM
On West Virginia Route 259 just south of Dove Hollow Road (Local Route 14), on the left when traveling south.
Settled before 1750. Nearby was Riddle’s Fort, frontier outpost. Here Battle of Lost River was fought in 1756 between company of Virginia frontiersmen under Captain Jeremiah Smith and band of 50 French and Indians. — — Map (db m155201) HM
On West Virginia Route 259, 0.6 miles south of Sawmill Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Hardy County. Formed from Hampshire in 1786. Named for distinguished Virginian, Samuel Hardy. In 1725, John Van Meter of New York visited the South Branch Valley. He praised it highly, so his sons acquired land and settled at Old Fields. . . . — — Map (db m237976) HM
On West Virginia Route 259, 0.1 miles north of Howard's Lick River State Park Road (County Route 12), on the left when traveling south.
Howard's Lick
Howard's Lick, or Lee White Sulphur Springs, was once owned by Gen. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee of Revolutionary War fame. It was owned later by Charles Carter Lee, brother of the beloved Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Jackson Home . . . — — Map (db m50470) HM
On West Virginia Route 259 at Howard's Lick Road (County Route 12), on the right when traveling south on State Route 259.
When the Civil War began in 1861, John and Susanna Mathias lived in this house with their son John Thomas Mathias (age 21) and their daughter Susan Mathias (age 12).
John T. Mathias enlisted in Confederate service in the 1st Regiment Virginia . . . — — Map (db m164936) HM
On U.S. 220, 0.4 miles south of Harness Road, on the left when traveling south.
After a failed raid on New Creek on August 4, 1864, the Confederate cavalry of Gens. McCausland and Johnson made camp near Moorefield on the South Branch of the Potomac. Hoping to smash the Rebel raiders, Union Gen. Averell led his smaller force in . . . — — Map (db m153025) HM
On Harness Road just east of Hyde Street, on the left when traveling east.
If you had been standing here about mid-morning of August 7, 1864, you would have seen Confederate soldiers running for the hills on your right. Confederate Gen. John McCausland's cavalry brigade was camped in the fields in front of you on this . . . — — Map (db m238789) HM
On Olivet Drive at Paskell Hill Drive on Olivet Drive. Reported permanently removed.
During the Civil War, Moorefield could be seen in front of you from this then-treeless hill. Beyond the town is the confluence of two watercourses that form the South Branch River, which flows north through a fertile valley. The Harness family . . . — — Map (db m58673) HM
On Olivet Drive, 0.5 miles east of Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the left when traveling south.
During the Civil War, Moorefield could be seen in front of you from this then-treeless hill. Beyond the town is the confluence of two watercourses that form the South Branch River. The Harness family cemetery was located at the northern end of . . . — — Map (db m155452) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 220), on the right when traveling south.
(Front): Near here, grave of Gen. Joseph Neville; officer in Revolution; member of conventions of 1775 and 1776. With Alexander McLean of Pennsylvania, he completed survey of the Mason and Dixon line in 1782. His son, Joseph, was a general in . . . — — Map (db m23213) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 220) south of Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the left when traveling south.
Built in 1848 by Thomas Maslin, one of the leading citizens of the area. During the War Between the States while the town was in the hands of Union Forces, many Confederate sympathizers were hidden in a secret cellar room of the house. — — Map (db m9226) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 220) at Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55) on North Main Street. Reported permanently removed.
This house was constructed about 1853 for Samuel A. McMechen, merchant, father of five daughters and deacon of Moorefield Presbyterian Church up the street on your right. The attached McMechen Store, on the right, predates the house. A . . . — — Map (db m47831) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 220) just north of Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the right when traveling north.
This house was constructed about 1853 for Samuel A. McMechen, merchant, father of five daughters and deacon of Moorefield Presbyterian Church up the street on your right. The attached McMechen Store, on the right, predates the house. A . . . — — Map (db m153029) HM
Near Mill Island Drive, 1 mile south of South Fork Road (County Route 7). Reported missing.
The mansion in front of you is Mill Island, constructed about 1840 in the Greek Revival style for Felix Seymour and his wife, Sidney McNeill Seymour. During the Civil War, Mill Island served as a Confederate hospital, especially for Capt. John . . . — — Map (db m214991) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 220) at Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the left when traveling south on North Main Street.
Chartered, 1777, and named for Conrad Moore, early settler. During Indian wars, Town Fort, north, and Fort Buttermilk, south, gave protection. Here, 1794, Gen. Biggs brought part of the troops recruited to suppress Whisky Rebellion. — — Map (db m9233) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 220) at Winchester Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
When the Civil War began, the Greek Revival-style Moorefield Presbyterian Church consisted of the main sanctuary that fronts on Main Street and the small chapel behind it. The chapel was constructed about 1847, and the sanctuary was completed in . . . — — Map (db m47863) HM
On Olivet Drive, 0.1 miles north of Winchester Street (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the left when traveling north.
Soldiers of both north and south buried here, battles took place on the cemetery and adjoining hill Jan. 3, 1863. Col. James Washburn (USA) attacked by Gen. William E. Jones (CSA). Union won. Sept. 11, 1863 Capt. . . . — — Map (db m153032) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 220) at Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the left when traveling south on South Main Street.
During the Civil War this church was used by both the North and South as a hospital. Union soldiers stabled horses here and burned pews for firewood. Federal government paid $800 indemnity in 1914. — — Map (db m9236) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 220) just north of Winchester Avenue (Old West Virginia Route 55), on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1853, this home was occupied by officers of both sides as the fortunes of war changed. McCausland was staying here when Gen. Averell attacked his troops camped at Goings Ford and Old Fields. — — Map (db m153026) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 220) just south of Williams Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Parsonage
circa 1853
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
— — Map (db m153040) HM
On U.S. 220 just north of Rolling Acres Drive, on the right when traveling north. Reported permanently removed.
The Confederate cavalry brigade of Gen. Bradley
T. Johnson bivouacked in the fields to your left
on August 7, 1864. Willow Wall (built ca. 1830), visible to your left down the road, was Johnson’s headquarters. Johnson’s brigade and that of Gen. . . . — — Map (db m48970) HM
On U.S. 220, 0.1 miles north of Fish Pond Road, on the right when traveling north.
The Confederate cavalry brigade of Gen. Bradley T. Johnson bivouacked in the fields around you on August 7, 1864. Willow Wall (built ca. 1830), visible to your left down the road, was Johnson's headquarters. Johnson's brigade and that of Gen. . . . — — Map (db m152772) HM
On West Virginia Route 220 at Old Fields Road (County Route 2), on the right when traveling north on State Route 220.
Built on lands of Issac Van Meter who took up claim near Old Fields, 1735, and settled there, 1744. In chain of forts which Washington established. For a time it was garrisoned by British regulars. Near it was Battle of the Trough, 1756. — — Map (db m155454) HM
On U.S. 220, 0.1 miles south of Old Fields Road (County Road 2), on the right when traveling south.
This U-shaped Georgian-Tidewater house, built 1811-12, was the home of the McNeill family. During the Civil War, McNeill's Rangers, a Southern band of guerillas, used it as a home base. Confederate Gen. Bradley Johnson headquartered here before the . . . — — Map (db m152773) HM
On South Fork Road (County Route 7) 16.7 miles north of U.S. 33, on the right when traveling north.
Last of the Lutheran horseback circuit rides, who was known as a dynamic pastor, theologian, professor of history, philologist and a Christian gentleman.
Died 1952 A.D. — — Map (db m49580) HM
On Old West Virginia Route 55 just east of Pinnacle Drive.
Here the Lost River disappears under Sandy Ridge. Two miles away on the other side of the mountain the stream is “found” again as the headwaters of the Cacapon River. This stream has the Indian name for “Medicine Waters.” — — Map (db m74493) HM
On Old State Highway 55, on the right when traveling east.
The massive sandstone forming the cliff is the Oriskany of the driller, and the geologist. The "Oriskany Sand", an important gas sand, has produced in excess of a trillion cubic feet of gas in West Virginia. — — Map (db m34572) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 48), on the right when traveling north. Reported missing.
The population center of the United State was in present West Virginia four times as it moved westward across the nation: near Wardensville in 1820; at Smoke Hole in 1830; west of Buckhannon in 1840; near Burning Springs in 1850. — — Map (db m23212) HM
On West Main Street (West Virginia Route 55/259) at Rosebud Lane, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
About the art
This mural, created by West Virginia artist David Heatwole, pays homage to both the surrealist and pointillism art movements through the creative use of recycled bottle caps. Originally created by artist David Heatwole, with . . . — — Map (db m153020) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 48) north of High Street, on the left when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
During the Civil War, most of Wardensville's two hundred residents supported the Confederacy. Southern guerrilla found friends here. On May 7, 1862, Union Col. Stephen W. Downey arrived here with a mixed force of infantry and cavalry, searching . . . — — Map (db m200869) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 48), on the right when traveling north.
George Washington laid off land here for William Wallace Warden, Nov. 11, 1749. Warden built a stockade fort, near which members of his family were killed by Indians, 1758, and the fort burned. Scene of skirmishes in 1862-1863. — — Map (db m237969) HM
On East Main Street (West Virginia Route 55/259) just north of High Street.
During the Civil War, most of Wardensville's two hundred residents supported the Confederacy. Southern guerrilla found friends here. On May 7, 1862, Union Col. Stephen W. Downey arrived with a mixed force of infantry and cavalry, searching for . . . — — Map (db m238236) HM
On West Virginia Route 55 west of the Virginia state line, on the right when traveling west.
West Virginia. (Hardy County) “The Mountain State”—western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. Settled by the Germans and Scotch-Irish. It became a line of defense between the English and French during . . . — — Map (db m74496) HM