Barbour County: River Landscapes and History

The Middle Fork River shapes the landscape of Audra State Park. The park is located along the river in southwestern Barbour County and also extends partly into Upshur County. Floating is possible on the river in the park, and there are also mountain biking opportunities on two designated trails. Check the water conditions for floating before your visit. Conditions on the mountain biking trails may change seasonally.

River and Outdoor Activities

Teter Creek Wildlife Management Area in Barbour County also offers opportunities for outdoor activities, including public hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. The outdoor highlights are distinct: Audra State Park offers river floating and two designated mountain biking trails, while Teter Creek also offers opportunities for hunting and fishing.

Philippi: Cityscape and Bridge History

Notable buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries cluster around a distinctive town square in the Philippi Historic District. For general orientation, the district is bounded by Pike, High, Walnut, Wolfe, Main, and Wilson Streets, as well as the Tygart Valley River. These streets and the river thus define the historic district’s boundaries.

The Philippi Covered Bridge combines a present-day role in transportation with a Civil War history: it still serves as an important link for traffic on US 250. During the first land battle of the American Civil War, Union troops used the bridge as a barracks. If you rely on US 250, check traffic conditions before setting out. Another notable bridge in the county is the Carrollton Covered Bridge, the second-longest covered bridge in West Virginia.

Museum, Landmark, and Historic Home

The Barbour County Historical Museum is housed in a former B&O railroad station. Its notable exhibits span the period from 1635 through the Civil War and early 20th century to the present day. This time span provides a broad historical context for a museum visit, while the former station offers its own architectural point of interest.

Valley Furnace also has a precisely dated place in local history: it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2023.

Adaland Mansion offers a different historical perspective. The house was built in 1870, has 23 rooms, and is designed in the Greek Revival style. It was restored with great care and respect for its authenticity. Adaland Mansion also hosts teas, for which reservations are required. Check the dates before your trip.

Tradition and Regional Context

The Blue and Gray Reunion commemorates the Philippi Races every year on the first weekend in June. If you would like to include the event in your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance. For geographic context, Barbour County lies on the boundary of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area.

Discover more destinations: Philippi, Randolph County, Nicholas County, Summers, Marshall County, Logan, Greenbrier, Jefferson County.

For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.