Hampshire County: History and Nature

Historic sites and natural attractions sit side by side in Hampshire County. The visitor experience is shaped by the history of the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Civil War; scenic, marked trails are also part of the offering. If you’re looking for hotels in Hampshire County, you can first decide whether architectural and military history or landscapes and natural phenomena will be the focus of your trip.

Landscapes and Distinctive Natural Phenomena

The Nathaniel Mountain Wildlife Management Area covers 10,676 acres. Its elevations range from 1,000 to 3,050 feet, and its vegetation consists mainly of mixed oak and hickory stands, as well as Virginia pine. At the Short Mountain Wildlife Management Area, two ridges shape the terrain: they form a long, horseshoe-shaped basin with an adjacent wetland. The area covers 8,457 acres and is covered with mixed oak and Virginia pine stands. The landscapes described here therefore differ in both elevation and form.

The 149-acre Ice Mountain Preserve offers a different natural attraction. At the base of the talus slope, there are about 60 openings from which cold air flows. In the cooler months, cold air sinks into the talus, where ice masses form. The preserve also protects boreal plants and provides habitat for breeding neotropical birds. The description thus brings together a distinctive cold-air phenomenon with plant and bird habitats.

Water is another natural attraction in the county: its rivers are used for swimming and are rich in fish. Edwards Run Pond, a one-acre pond, offers seasonal stocked trout fishing; boats are not permitted there. These features differ markedly from the expansive forested and mountainous landscapes of the two wildlife management areas and the cold-air effect at Ice Mountain.

History in Romney and Beyond

Hampshire County was established in 1754 as the western frontier of the Colony of Virginia at the time. In Romney, Taggart Hall is a half-timbered house built in the 1790s in a style known as a “half-house.” It is considered a good starting point for a historic walking tour of the town. The Wilson-Woodrow-Mytinger House was built around 1770 and is Romney’s oldest surviving building. Literary Hall, built in 1870, is a library and debate center for Romney’s Literary Society.

The history of the French and Indian War is also connected to a frontier fort and the Fort Edwards Foundation Museum. The museum contains extensive collections of books, maps, and other historical objects. Fort Mill Ridge, meanwhile, features Civil War trenches, trails, and interpretive signs. These sites offer different ways to explore history: through historic buildings, collections, and preserved military traces.

Another testament to the past is the iron furnace in Bloomery, which operated from 1833 to 1881. Together with the houses and places associated with wars, it adds an example of earlier iron production to the historical perspective. If you’re interested in history, you can explore architecture, collections, military sites, and industrial history as different themes during your stay.

Excursions and Other Travel Decisions

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad offers a three-hour round trip of approximately 35 miles through the Trough to Sycamore Bridge and back. No stopover is scheduled. The ride also showcases the history and wild, rugged landscape of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. If you’d like to include it in your plans, check current dates and departure times in advance.

For a different perspective on the landscape, scenic marked trails are also part of the county’s visitor offering. At Fort Mill Ridge, trails are included in the site description, along with the trenches and interpretive signs. This travel information can help you decide whether Hampshire County fits your planned destinations.

Hampshire County therefore offers several distinct interests to consider when planning a trip: historic buildings and collections, traces of military and industrial history, marked trails, and distinctive natural features.

Explore more destinations:

Springfield, Purgitsville, Romney, Monroe County, Putnam County, Nicholas County, Jefferson County, Mineral County

For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.