Randolph County
ELKINS: Born by the Rails On July 17, 1889, a reporter from the Cumberland Daily Times called what soon came to be known as Elkins “the wild heart” of West Virginia. But by then the community that had sprung up in the wake of the coal and railroad industries that were carving a swath through Appalachia already knew they had found a hidden gem along this bend in the Tygart River— they didn’t need a reporter to tell them it was home. Honor, preserve, and progress— that seems to be the theme of today’s
Elkins, now the county seat of Randolph County. It’s a place where pristine historic sites and eclectic art hubs are friendly neighbors.The railcarsmight not be bursting with coal and timber these days, but they’re still crisscrossing the landscape as part of the Durbin&Greenbrier ValleyRailroad , headquartered in the historic depot. The railroad offers visitors a unique look back in time with trip options varying from two hour excursions to overnight castaway caboose getaways in untamedmountain country. The rich traditions of this region are still honored. You can feel it in the hushed reverence of visitors walking down the grand staircase at Graceland Inn or standing in the shade of Halliehurst Mansion —both of which are located on the campus
of Davis & Elkins College. Built in 1892, the exquisitely furnished Graceland Inn is an elegant retreat that offers 11 bedrooms with private baths. The mansion was once the summer home of Henry Gassaway Davis, a U.S. senator and vice presidential candidate. Next door, Halliehurst is also a National Historic Landmark. Constructed of native hardwoods and stone, the 16,000-square-foot Victorian mansion was patterned after a castle in the Rhineland. Elkins is currently home to more than 370 structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but the air here is hardly eau de musty antique shop. Unlike cities that have clear demarcations between past and present, traditional and modern, Elkins proudly mixes it up. Elkins is as comfortable as any corner of small-town America but as open-minded as metropolitan centers many times its size. It’s a respite from a fast-paced world, yet
there’s always something new to explore—whether it be a bluegrass concert offered by the Augusta Heritage Center or a performance at the Gandy DancerTheatre . But what that Maryland reporter didn’t knowwhen he penned “wild heart” was that the area wouldn’t always be just a dot of civilization in the wilderness—it would soon become known as the gateway to the Monongahela National Forest and, subsequently, every kind of outdoor recreation imaginable. With elevations averaging 2,000 feet above sea level, Elkins offers a break from extreme summer heat, and, in autumn, vibrant fall colors. From exquisitely preserved National Historic Landmarks to cultural hubs like the Randolph County Community Arts Center , there’s more than enough to inspire great minds within city limits. And with seemingly limitless recreational potential attracting visitors in every season, this is a city where anyone can find their niche.
WEST VIRGINIA 38
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