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Visiting Monroe County

Monroe County, West Virginia, is a rural region steeped in history, offering a blend of historic sites and scenic attractions that reflect its frontier past, Civil War significance, and natural beauty. Below is a detailed list of notable historic and sightseeing places to visit, along with their historical background, based on available information and Monroe County’s rich heritage.

1. Old Sweet Springs Resort

  • Location: Sweet Springs, WV (near Route 3)
  • Description: A grand historic resort complex featuring Georgian-style architecture, including the main hotel, bathhouses, and cottages, set amidst the scenic Sweet Springs Valley.
  • History: Established in the late 1700s, Old Sweet Springs became a prominent mineral springs resort by 1820, attracting elite visitors seeking the healing properties of its natural springs. Notable guests included U.S. presidents like Martin Van Buren and dignitaries such as Henry Clay and John Calhoun. During the Civil War, Confederate General Jenkins used it as a headquarters. At its peak in the 19th century, it boasted luxurious amenities and hosted figures like Queen Victoria’s representatives. The resort declined in the early 20th century due to changing travel patterns and economic shifts, closing in the 1930s. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained by preservation efforts, with some buildings still standing as a testament to its past grandeur.


2. Rehoboth Church

  • Location: Near Union, WV (off U.S. Route 3)
  • Description: A simple log structure, one of the oldest Methodist churches west of the Allegheny Mountains, surrounded by a historic cemetery.
  • History: Built in 1786 under the direction of Bishop Francis Asbury, Rehoboth Church is a National Historic Landmark and one of West Virginia’s earliest religious sites. It was constructed by Elder John Alderson and served as a center for Methodist worship on the frontier. The church reflects the simplicity of pioneer life and the spread of Methodism in the region. Used intermittently since its founding, it remains a preserved relic of colonial religious history, with occasional services and tours available through the Monroe County Historical Society.


3. Indian Creek Covered Bridge

  • Location: Near Union, WV (Route 219 south of Salt Sulphur Springs)
  • Description: A picturesque, red-painted covered bridge spanning Indian Creek, offering a quintessential rural West Virginia scene.
  • History: Constructed in 1898, this bridge is one of two remaining covered bridges in Monroe County listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built using a Howe truss design, it facilitated local travel and commerce in an era reliant on horse-drawn vehicles. Covered bridges were vital for protecting wooden structures from weather, extending their lifespan. Restored by preservation efforts, it now stands as a scenic landmark and a nod to 19th-century engineering.


4. Laurel Creek Covered Bridge

  • Location: Between Greenville and Lillydale, WV
  • Description: Another historic covered bridge, smaller and less ornate than Indian Creek, nestled in a tranquil countryside setting.
  • History: Built around 1910, this bridge also appears on the National Register of Historic Places. It served the rural communities along Laurel Creek, connecting farms and mills to larger towns like Union. Covered bridges were a hallmark of Monroe County’s agricultural past, when water-powered mills thrived along its streams. Like its counterpart, it has been preserved as a historic and photographic attraction.


5. Monroe County Historical Society Museum

  • Location: Main Street, Union, WV
  • Description: A small museum housed in a historic building, featuring artifacts, documents, and exhibits on local history, with adjacent restored log cabins.
  • History: Operated by the Monroe County Historical Society, the museum opened to preserve the county’s heritage, which dates back to its formation in 1799 from Greenbrier County. Named for James Monroe, fifth U.S. president and Virginia governor at the time, the county’s history includes frontier settlement (circa 1760), water-powered mills, and Civil War activity. The museum showcases relics from these eras, including pioneer tools, Civil War memorabilia, and items from the mineral springs resorts. The nearby log cabins, furnished with period items, reflect early settler life.


6. Cook’s Fort Site

  • Location: Near Greenville, WV
  • Description: An archaeological site, now a grassy area with interpretive potential, marking the location of a Revolutionary War-era militia fort.
  • History: Built in 1774 by Valentine Cook during Lord Dunmore’s War, Cook’s Fort was a key defensive structure during conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes, including the Shawnee. It later served as a refuge during the American Revolutionary War. Archaeological digs in 2021, led by Dr. W. Stephen McBride and funded by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, uncovered artifacts like animal bones and tools, shedding light on frontier life. While little remains visible, its historical significance as a militia base makes it a point of interest.


7. Lynnside Historic District

  • Location: Near Sweet Springs, WV
  • Description: Includes St. John’s Catholic Church (circa 1839-1859), one of the oldest Catholic churches in West Virginia, and the surrounding cemetery with graves of notable figures like Governor John Floyd.
  • History: The church was built with slave labor and features unique brickwork, reflecting early Catholic presence in a Protestant-dominated region. The adjacent cemetery, part of the former Lynnside Plantation, includes the graves of Virginia Governor John Floyd (1783-1837) and his wife, Letitia Preston Floyd. The plantation itself, once a grand estate, burned in the 20th century, but the church and cemetery remain as historic markers of Monroe County’s antebellum past.


8. Hanging Rock Observatory

  • Location: Near Waiteville, WV (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests)
  • Description: A rustic bird-watching tower offering panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and a prime spot for hawk and eagle migration counts.
  • History: While not a traditional historic site, its location ties into Monroe County’s natural history and its role as a gateway to the Alleghenies. Established in the 20th century, the observatory capitalizes on the county’s position along migratory routes documented since early settlement. The area’s rugged terrain has long been a draw for explorers and naturalists, complementing the county’s historic narrative with its environmental heritage.


9. Alderson Historic District

  • Location: Alderson, WV (partially in Monroe County, shared with Greenbrier County)
  • Description: A charming small-town area with historic buildings, including the Alderson Memorial Bridge, and a mix of Federal and Queen Anne architecture.
  • History: Alderson grew around the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in the late 19th century, with the bridge (built 1914) listed on the National Register. Named for Elder John Alderson, who founded a Baptist church here in 1781, the town reflects railroad-era prosperity and frontier religious roots. The district preserves homes and structures from its boom years, offering a glimpse into turn-of-the-century life.


10. Moncove Lake State Park

  • Location: Near Gap Mills, WV
  • Description: A 144-acre park with a lake, hiking trails, and camping, surrounded by rolling hills and forests.
  • History: Established in 1990, Moncove Lake is a modern recreational site, but its land ties into Monroe County’s agrarian past and Native American history (the name “Moncove” may derive from a Native term). The area was once home to indigenous peoples before European settlers arrived in the 1760s, and its streams supported mills in the 19th century. Today, it’s a peaceful spot showcasing the county’s natural beauty.


Historical Context of Monroe County

Monroe County was carved from Greenbrier County in 1799, amid frontier conflicts that began around 1760. Its economy historically relied on farming, timber, and water-powered mills along creeks like Indian and Second Creek. The mineral springs resorts thrived from 1790 to the mid-19th century, drawing Southern elites. During the Civil War, the county supported the Confederacy, resisting its inclusion in the new state of West Virginia in 1863 until the war’s end in 1865. Its rural character persists, with historic sites reflecting this layered past.

Visiting Tips

  • Many sites, like Old Sweet Springs and Rehoboth Church, require coordination with the Monroe County Historical Society for access or tours.
  • The covered bridges and Moncove Lake are easily accessible year-round, ideal for photography and outdoor enjoyment.
  • Union, the county seat, serves as a central hub for exploring these attractions, with no stoplights or highways, preserving its tranquil, historic charm.
  • These destinations offer a mix of architectural, cultural, and natural history, making Monroe County a hidden gem for history buffs and sightseers alike.