Cheat Summit Fort
Elkins, WV
General George B. McClellan ordered this fort to be built in 1861 to secure the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike and protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The Confederacy’s inability to take the fort in September, 1861, was central in the failure of Robert E. Lee’s western Virginia Campaign. In the October battle of Greenbrier River, troops from Cheat Summit Fort, under General R. H. Milroy, attacked Camp Bartow. Neither side could claim victory and the Union troops returned to Cheat Summit Fort while the Confederates withdrew to Camp Allegheny. In December of the same year, soldiers from Cheat Summit Fort attacked Camp Allegheny, but were driven back. The site is also significant for, perhaps, the earliest use of telegraph technology in the Civil War. The unique earthworks of this encampment remain.
Located: on COUNTY ROUTE 43/4 in Valley Head, WV.
From I-79 near Weston, take U.S. 33 east to Elkins, then U.S. 250 south to just before Cheat Bridge. Turn right at the sign and right again at the T. Go about 1 mile to the top. Note: Road is sometimes closed due to snow; call 304-636-1800 for road information.
Nearby Attractions:
Nearby Attractions:
Trip Inspiration
This Small West Virginia Town Plays a Big Role in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’
West Virginia is no stranger to making it on the big the screen lately, and now, the Mountain State is mentioned in a Marvel movie – Capt...
Read MoreThese 4 West Virginia Towns Made It to the Big Screen
If you are a film fanatic, chances are good that you have caught a scene or two that was shot in West Virginia without even realizing it. W...
Read MorePlan Your Spring Whitewater Rafting Adventure in West Virginia
After a long and chilly winter, the roaring rapids of West Virginia rivers are ready to set the stage for an epic, adrenaline-filled whitew...
Read MoreDid You Know You Can Visit 5 Waterfalls in One Day in West Virginia?
Nothing completes a West Virginia road trip like checking off waterfalls on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail. Whether you're looking to ea...
Read MoreCatching Spring Fever? Let West Virginia Waterfalls Be Your Cure
After a frosty winter in Almost Heaven, the waterfalls are eager to roar back to life. Whether you're into waterfalls with scenic hikes or ...
Read MoreThese 8 West Virginia Mountain Towns are Calling Your Name this Spring
Crowd-free is a way of life in the mountain towns of West Virginia, and mountain towns here will never leave you hanging. Here, you will ex...
Read MoreA Solo Traveler's 48-Hour Adventure in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia
Imagine a backdrop where it's just you, an open country road and the mountains of Appalachia in one place. This picture will come to life w...
Read MoreJoin a West Virginia Fanbase and Cheer On These 6 Sports Teams
Known for its recreation wonders and thriving small towns, West Virginia is also a vibrant sports hub. From Saturday night D1 college footb...
Read MorePlan Your Most Relaxing Spring Getaway Yet at Berkeley Springs
Charm and relaxation never run dry at Berkeley Springs. This historic West Virginia town is known for its healing thermal waters and one-of...
Read More
