Marsha: The traveling of far southern states would have been very rough since W.S. is only about 5 miles from the current eastern border. It is only about 20 miles from Covington and 60 from Lexington. This area mostly southern during the Civil War. Although my most of my mother's family came from the Richmond area many years ago, there were very strong ties with the south. I had many relatives that fought for the south. On my father's side my g-g-great grandfather was captured and died in a prison camp at Gettysburg. He's buried in a mass grave in Philly. This is a very interesting place. I lived on the old Kanawha Turnpike. I have no idea how they did it but they did. I live in Lewisburg. My father's side of the family came from KY and were southern supporters and my mother's were Virginia blood. I remember my grandfather had the same accent as Ward Burton (race car driver). He carried that southern pride. Although I
had no control over where was born, I consider myself as southern. Take Care Keith Dixon
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From: marsha moses <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 12:32:56 PM
Subject: Sulphur Springs in Virginia
I am guessing that you are talking about the White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County in what is now WV. It is called The Greenbrier now. There were sulphur springs all over the mountains of Virginia where many of the landed families with wealth spent the summer. For many good reasons. It was fun. They believed that there were healing properties in the water. It was a huge social scene in which their marriageable daughters could meet wealthy young men and vice versa. And, very importantly, it got their families out of the unhealthy areas that many lived in in the hot season---am I right that it would have been malaria....yellow fever...etc that would been a threat in many of the low lands? And I forgot to mention that the temperature would be much nicer in the mountains.
I have several books on White Sulphur Springs as well as some pictures that I have taken over the years. I also have a book on the other sulphur springs in Virginia in the early days. I, of course, can't put my hands on either quickly. But I can dig them up if anyone is interested in names and authors.
The information that pops into my head is that some of the far southern families would ride via steamboat up the Mississippi and/or Ohio River to dock at Guyandotte, Va (later WV). They would then take a stage coach over the James River and Kanawha Road that went from Lexington, VA to Louisville, Ky via Lexington, KY, Guyandotte, Charleston, Lewisburg (next door to White Sulphur). The information on this road is according to Carey Eldridges book: Appalachian Trails to the Ohio River. One other piece of information pops into my head is that Henry Clay was a frequent guest at White Sulphur Springs. There is a story in my family that he would stop in the Teays Valley area on his trip east from Lexington, Ky area at the home of an ancestor of mine.
Couldn't help but comment as I have been going to the Greenbrier for many years and will be making a trip there next month. Because I am very interested in all sorts of history, I have had some fun with the historical information. There is a room on the main floor close to the dining room---it might be called the WV room....can't remember. There is a mural in the room that depicts the early days of the resort. I have photos of the mural if anyone is really interested.
Marsha Moses
On May 24, 2010, at 10:26 AM, Peggy and Keith dixon wrote:
> We did have rail service but the Greenbrier was built because of the sulphur waters that were suppose to have healing properities. There were other resorts in this area support the same cause. We have Blue, Green, and I believe Yellow Sulphur where the rich would come to bath in there waters.
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> ________________________________
> From: Janice <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Sat, May 22, 2010 10:27:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Ancestry Family Trees
>
> Could Greenbriar have been the Niagara Falls of its' day? If the area were close to a stage or rail line, travel to the resort would be relatively simple even if not particularly inexpensive.
>
> Janice
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