I had wanted to visit Berkeley Springs State Park in Berkeley Springs, WV, for quite some time, but it had not lined up. The state park is not big, at barely 4.5 acres is size, and parking is a real issue, as it sits right in town, a town that grew up around America’s first spa. There are parking lots; look on Google Maps to see them. Sunday is also the day of the busy farmers’ market a block away, so there is a lot to do in the historic town. Many historical areas to check out.
The town was once officially called Bath, in homage to Bath, England. Both names are interwined here, deeply. It also celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
The Washington Heritage Trail can be done by car in a day, or you can choose places to visit. Morgan County has 17 areas to visit.
It has a deep connection to our first president, George Washington. The country’s only outdoor monument to presidential bathing is here.
While he didn’t bathe in this hole, it represents his love of the area.
Warm Springs Run, which cuts through town. There are multiple areas where anyone can take off their shoes, put their feet in, and enjoy the water. The park is easy to walk through, with public bathrooms and such. The “Gentleman’s Spring” is under a roof and allows anyone to take away spring water for free. Near it is the Roman Bathhouse, and you can buy brand-new gallon water jugs to fill for a suggested donation of $1. And yes, the water is good. I met a local lady who comes by weekly, fills up a bunch of carboys, and wheels them home in a cart.
When Washington was 16, he started working for Lord Fairfax, riding the lands doing surveying work. Berkeley sat on the far end of the land (the only thing farther is the Fairfax Stone near Thomas/Davis, WV). The land was eventually given to the colony of Virginia by Fairfax for the construction of a town to rival Bath back home. This is how Washington came to buy lots of land right in town, just a block away from his favorite soaking area. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence, four signers of the Constitution, seven members of the Continental Congress, and five Revolutionary generals were among the prominent colonists who made initial purchases there. A hot place indeed to be seen at.
And honestly, this little area tucked into the Allegheny Mountains is often cooler in summer, with storms often moving through to bring relief from the heat. It was at least 5 degrees cooler on Sunday than it was at home, in the massive Shenandoah Valley just a few miles away.
Took him till 1884 to have his land done, but yeah, maybe he was a bit busy during those years, carving out a new nation.
Stairs lead up from the street to a garden.
50 acres on the edge of the wilderness was a gift indeed.
The state park is free to use, with no entry fees.
A side bonus was more Civil War Trails areas to check out. Alistaire was excited to see them.
It was not a good season for Stonewall Jackson.
Warm Springs Mountain is the “wall” that stops the town, rising above the now state park. Hemmed in by the Apalachian Mountains indeed.
Walk the history – this is a double one, where you get to feel both the Spirit of 1776 and the sadness of the Civil War, and possibly watch tadpoles swimming in the springs.
~Sarah