The U.S. state of West Virginia is a state known for its natural beauty and its mountains. The state has many state parks. One of those state parks is Valley Falls State Park near the city of Fairmont. The park is mainly famous for its waterfalls, but it has many hiking trails as well. A visit to Valley Falls State Park is a place you will cherish.
Some of you are saying, “Wow! This must be a beautiful place. I enjoy seeing waterfalls. There is a big problem. This park has no connection with the railroad. Therefore, this park is not a place I will fall for visiting.”
Why visit Valley Falls State Park? It has very beautiful waterfalls. There is beauty surrounding you. Why visit Valley Falls State Park?
You enter the park, and you drive down to the main parking lot. You park your car, and you make your way to the waterfalls, but you cross a bridge. What are you crossing? You are crossing a railroad line.
Some of you are saying, “Yeah, but there are many railroad lines that pass through parks and towns but have no history with the parks or towns.”
You do have a point. So, what is special about Valley Falls State Park?
Well, you arrive at the waterfalls, and you are amazed at its beauty. As you walk around, you notice some ruins. What was here?
What you are seeing is the ruins of a sawmill and a grist mill. The water was used to power these mills. The property was acquired by a trader in the 1830’s, and he built the mills on the site. A town was erected around the mills, and it was named Valley Falls after, of course, the waterfalls. Although the mills were the centerpiece of the town, something that arrived in 1853 caused the town to boom. What came to the town?
In 1853, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was built between the town of Grafton to the east and the city of Wheeling located in what is called the Northern Panhandle of the state, and the railroad passed right past the mills. Sadly, in 1886, the town was destroyed by fire and floods. The town was never rebuilt although the grist mill itself remained in operation until 1905.
Today, you can see the waterfalls, but you can also see the same railroad line that served the town, but, today, CSX trains pass by the falls. How great would it be to enjoy the waterfalls and be rewarded by a passing train?
Valley Falls State Park is located at 720 Valley Falls Road southeast of the city of Fairmont, West Virginia off of West Virginia Route 310. The park is open year round from 7:00am to sunset, but please note that the park will close due to snow and ice. (If you are adventurous, they do allow you to walk through the park on snowy and icy days. You just have to park at the entrance and hike in.) Please note that the walk to the falls is on uneven terrain, which may be difficult for wheelchairs, but much of the falls are viewable from the parking area. Please also note that the railroad line is an active line. (No trespassing on the railroad tracks.)
Valley Falls State Park was once the site of a bustling town made possible by the railroad. Today, the only thing that is bustling is the waterfall and the surrounding natural beauty. Visit Valley Falls State Park. You may find it hard to leave.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 