BARTOW, W.Va. — A non-profit organization has plans to protect Camp Bartow, a Civil War site in Pocahontas County, after recently purchasing the property.
West Virginia Land Trust bought the land in Bartow last year. The 14-acre property was the scene of the Battle of Greenbrier River in October 1861.
“This battle was the battle that was very instrumental in West Virginia becoming a state,” said Jessica Spatafore, director of Development & Communications with
WV Land Trust.
The group held a tour of the camp site last Saturday. Visitors got to check out scenic landscapes, trace Civil War earthworks, cabins and forgotten cemeteries.
Spatafore said they wanted to purchase the property to preserve its history.
“If the wrong person had purchased the property, the whole history site would’ve just gone away,” she said.
The group plans to build new trails and signage, create a new parking area, install kiosks and more.
“You can actually go and visit and understand what was going on. You’ll get your history lesson when you come to visit,” Spatafore said.
WV Land Trust buys public land for a reason, she said.
“That’s the goal with a lot of our properties is to become open to the public so people have a place to go,” she said.
To learn more and to donate to WV Land Trust projects, visit their website.