Beverly: Local History and Historic Places

Beverly offers several ways to explore the town’s history: from early settlers’ buildings and historic school and commercial buildings to locally themed tours and events. If you’re looking for a destination focused on architecture and local history, you’ll find concrete points of interest here from different periods.

Historic Buildings and Their Stories

Behind the Blackman-Bosworth Store is the Jacob Stalnaker Cabin, built around 1795. It is an example of an early settlers’ cabin. Its exterior-visible post-and-beam addition, integrated into the log structure, is a distinctive feature. This single building offers a glimpse of both early construction methods and a distinctive architectural addition.

The Subscription Schoolhouse tells a different story of construction. Built in the 1870s, it was moved in 1993 from Bell’s Farm near Becky’s Creek to its current location in Beverly. The schoolhouse is considered the last of its kind in Randolph County and possibly the last in West Virginia. The building displays a collection of items from one-room schoolhouses. It can be visited when the Randolph County Museum is open or by appointment.

The Beverly Historic District includes residential and commercial buildings dating from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Its areas of significance include architecture; exploration and settlement; military; politics and government; and social and humanitarian concerns. The Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike ran directly through Beverly, bringing trade and travelers through town. Along with its buildings, Beverly’s earlier transportation and commercial history is therefore among the themes that have shaped the town.

Discover Local History on Foot

The Beverly Walking Tour has been updated and enhanced with interpretive signs throughout town and at certain buildings. An ongoing scavenger hunt takes participants through Beverly with five clues and highlights local history; it can be started at any time. The two offerings have different focuses: the walking tour centers on the route and interpretive signs, while the scavenger hunt follows its five clues.

In the heart of Beverly, the Beverly Heritage Center brings four adjoining buildings together as a heritage attraction. Reenactors and costumed interpreters appear there on Living History Days. Beverly Heritage Day also brings together a range of historical themes and activities, including tours of historic homes, traditional crafts, food, music, and living history.

More Historic Points of Interest

The present-day Beverly Methodist Church was built on North Main Street in 1890. Beverly Cemetery is considered the oldest public cemetery west of the Allegheny Mountains. Both sites add further specific points of interest in Beverly to the town’s architectural and local history.

Near Beverly, the Hart Farm site at Rich Mountain Battlefield features historic markers, numerous interpretive signs, and a loop trail about half a mile long. Rich Mountain Road leads to the battlefield, branching west from Route 250; the distance to the site is listed as five miles. Road conditions can change, so check them before you drive.

Explore more destinations: Elkins, Huttonsville, Dryfork

See the broader travel guide: Randolph County.