Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Buildings from the Watters Smith family farm.
Map showing the location of Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Map showing the location of Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Location of Watters Smith Memorial State Park in West Virginia
LocationHarrison, West Virginia, United States
Coordinates39°10′16″N 80°24′29″W / 39.17111°N 80.40806°W / 39.17111; -80.40806
Area532 acres (215 ha)
Elevation1,033 ft (315 m)
Established1949[2]
Named forWatters Smith
Governing bodyWest Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Websitewvstateparks.com/park/watters-smith-memorial-state-park/

Watters Smith Memorial State Park is a 532-acre (2.15 km2) historical park and national historic district with a pioneer homestead and museum located in Harrison County, West Virginia. The homestead, rising above Duck Creek, is a memorial to settler Watters Smith, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1767, and moved to Harrison County in what was then Virginia, in 1796, with his wife Elizabeth Davisson Smith.[3] A log cabin similar to the original was moved and reconstructed on the park, together with farm buildings typical of early 19th century settlement. The more modern Smith family home (c. 1876) has been restored as a museum, and an additional museum houses many local farm artifacts from earlier eras. Guided tours are offered from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. In addition, the park features swimming, picnicking, hiking trails, and horseback riding.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as the Watters Smith Farm on Duck Creek.[4]

Mountain biking

Watters Smith Park has become a local hot spot for mountain biking. The park boasts a bike wash and maintenance area and over 12 miles of single track riding including numerous technical sections and elevation gains. With up-to-date maps and well marked trails, the park offers trails for every skill level from beginner to expert.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Watters Smith Memorial State Park". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ Watters Smith Memorial State Park History, accessed April 1, 2008
  3. ↑ Ann Post (September 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Watters Smith Farm on Duck Creek" (PDF). State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  4. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
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