Travel Green in Weston, WV

Upon entering the town of Weston, your eyes are immediately drawn to the massive stone building which seems to loom ominously over the town. As I drove toward it, I became overwhelmed by a feeling that seems nearly impossible to describe. It was a mix of fear, intrigue, and mystery–a feeling of undeniable significance. The town of Weston gives off a very peculiar air, one that I can only equate with a place that has had many important events transpire on its grounds.

My visit to the asylum itself was thrilling. As I walked through the corridors, remnants of its dark history seemed to spill out of every corner. In its early days, people were admitted to the asylum not only for mental illness but for reasons as unbelievable as questioning religion or falling off a horse. Every time I turned a corner, I felt like I would see one of those tortured souls standing in front of me.  To be honest with you it scared the hell out of me, but in a good way.

After visiting Weston for a Halloween thrill I became so fascinated by it that I chose it as the topic of a ten page history paper. I quickly became aware that there is so much more to Weston then the Asylum. This town played an incredibly important role in the creation of the state of West Virginia. Weston was once of the most important towns in the region, yet is hardly remembered in the scheme of the history of our great United States. This past week I decided to go back to Weston to make an official list of the many reasons why I think it is a must see for the responsible traveler.

WESTON FOR HISTORY BUFFS:

-1817: Weston (a part of the state of Virginia) is named as the judicial seat of the newly established Lewis County and becomes an important voice for interests west of The Alleghenies.
-1853: a branch of the Exchange Bank of Virginia was established in Weston. This bank served 1/3rd of the state of Virginia and funded almost any entrepreneurial enterprise in the region.
-1859: Weston is chosen as the site of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum! Weston and Lewis County experience a tremendous population and economic boom.  Imagine the champagne corks popping and the towns people cheering – We got a lunatic asylum.  Talk about economic development.
-1861: The Civil War breaks out and Virginia succeeds from the union. At this time the Weston branch of the Exchange bank is holding $27,000 to be used for construction of the Asylum and for the workers wages.
- June 30th 1861: “The Great Gold Robbery”- $27,000 is stolen from Weston’s exchange bank by Union soldiers and taken to wheeling to finance the “Reorganized Government of Virginia,” what we now know as West Virginia.

MORE COOL STUFF:

-The Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is an obvious must-see. Take a historic tour of the asylum’s main building, or opt for the haunted house tour in the old tuberculosis ward. Either way you are sure to feel some chills run up your spine! Did I mention that it is the 3rd largest hand-cut stone structure in the world?  Can you name number 1 and 2?
- At Jackson’s Mill you can visit the boyhood home of General “Stonewall” Jackson and see what it was like to live in early Appalachia. Roam the property on your own or take a guided tour of the home of one of the most feared and respected Confederate Generals of the Civil War.
-The Museum of American Glass offers a huge collection of American handmade glass in endless colors and varieties. It’s a great spot to check out the history of one of West Virginia’s most important industries and there are even hands-on displays for children. The friendly attendant told me that the only requirement for visiting is to sign the guest book on the way out!
-Lamberts Winery offers free wine tastings? Did I say free wine tastings? Count me in! This beautiful winery not only sells a variety of delicious wines, but has a gift shop full of Appalachian pottery and handicrafts.
-The Mountaineer Military Museum was built to honor those who have served in all of our nation’s wars and is located in the historic “Weston Colored School.”
-Appalachian Glass offers daily glass blowing demonstrations, wooden toy making demonstrations and an assortment of West Virginia foods, jams, and crafts.
- The 2nd and Center Café is a great alternative to all the corporate owned fast food chains you see when you first get off the Weston exit. This is one of those locally owned and operated restaurants that really captures the small-town feel of rural West Virginia.
-If you are staying overnight, Natural Seasons B&B is a green travelers dream! They recycle, conserve energy, and grow their own food, some of it on the roof!  This is quite possibly the greenest B&B in West Virginia.

Though at one point Weston was one of the richest cities in the United States on a per capita basis, it is now home to less than 5,000 people with an average per capita income of around $16,000. It seems that the town of Weston has come almost full circle. It began in the early 1800’s as a small farming community and rose to become one of the most prosperous towns in the nation 50 years later. Weston’s economy suffered greatly from the closing of the asylum in 1994, and now almost 20% of its residents live under the poverty line.  Can tourism help?  It can if you spend your time and money wisely.

As you can see there’s lots of cool stuff to check out in Weston.  A town that is nestled in such beautiful surroundings and with such a rich history deserves a renewed interest from savvy travelers. If you are planning any trips this fall or just passing through on I-79, keep Weston in mind.  It’s only a mile or two off the interstate.

It’s fairly typical of most Appalachian communities that border a major thoroughfare – if you drive a little further past all the fast food and chain crap that borders the interstate you’ll find a charming community with unique restaurants, shops, and attractions.

And keep your eye out for that list of Attractions on I-79 just north or south of Weston.  It makes me giggle every time I see it.

by Kristina Sandi

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website