Watters Smith Memorial State Park
State Park in Harrison County, West Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Watters Smith Memorial State Park is a 532-acre (2.15 km2) historical park and national historic district with a pioneer homestead and museum located in Harrison County, West Virginia. The homestead, rising above Duck Creek, is a memorial to settler Watters Smith, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1767, and moved to Harrison County, in what was then Virginia, in 1796, with his wife, Elizabeth Davisson Smith.[3] A log cabin similar to the original was moved and reconstructed in the park, together with farm buildings typical of early 19th-century settlements. The more modern Smith family home (c. 1876) has been restored as a museum, and an additional museum houses many local farm artifacts from earlier eras. Guided tours are offered from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. In addition, the park features swimming, picnicking, hiking trails, and horseback riding.
| Watters Smith Memorial State Park | |
|---|---|
Buildings from the Watters Smith family farm. | |
  Location within West Virginia | |
| Location | Harrison, West Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°10′16″N 80°24′29″W |
| Area | 532 acres (215 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,033 ft (315 m) |
| Established | 1949[2] |
| Named for | Watters Smith |
| Governing body | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources |
| Website | wvstateparks |
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as the Watters Smith Farm on Duck Creek.[4]
Mountain biking
Watters Smith Park has become a local hot spot for mountain biking. The park boasts a bike wash and maintenance area and over 12 miles of single-track riding, including numerous technical sections and elevation gains. With up-to-date maps and well-marked trails, the park offers trails for every skill level, from beginner to expert.
