Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
They say, “It takes a village,” and that is certainly true.
Any difficult, but worthwhile cause, takes passion and dedication to make it happen and to bring it to life.
Huntersville Historic Traditions’ president, Tim Wade welcomed about 125 people who gathered on a sunny afternoon to commemorate and celebrate West Virginia and Pocahontas County history.
They were seated on a grassy field between the old jail at Huntersville and the restored portion of the county’s first courthouse.
The dedication of the rebuilt “Old Clerk’s Office” took a journey of almost five years of hard work, state and county funds and many private donations to bring the project from a dream to reality.
That small remnant of the county’s first courthouse, the “Clerk’s Office,” has now been restored and was officially on display to the public June 14.
Some two hundred years ago, this had been the center of the village of Huntersville – the home of Colonel John Bradshaw, and the seat of county government.
The little knoll along Barlow Lane Road is now becoming known as Courthouse Square.
Due to the tireless efforts of a small group of history buffs – Huntersville Historical Traditions – guided by the indefatigable Wade, and the support of the entire community, some of the few remaining historical buildings of Huntersville have been brought back to life.
“The “Old Clerk’s Office,” as everyone has always called it, was probably built before then, but we know it was absolutely here by 1840. So, we’re going by that date,” Wade said.
“It was one of two identical buildings added to the original courthouse, which can be seen in an old photo of the courthouse,” he explained.
“Thank goodness we have that old photograph.”
In 2012 the Pocahontas County Historical Society voted to donate the Huntersville Jail to Huntersville Historic Traditions. The stone and brick jailhouse was built in 1882 and served as the county jail until the county seat moved from Huntersville to Marlinton in 1891.
The group that gathered last Friday enjoyed a picnic supper of hot dogs and hamburgers provided by HHT volunteers and two specially designed sheet cakes made by Jean McClure, commemorating WV Day and the “Old Clerk’s Office” restoration.
The cakes were so beautiful, it was a shame to eat them – but that didn’t stop us!
HHT was generously given the property on which the “Old Clerk’s Office” about five years ago by Marlena Pope and her daughter, Cheryl Key, in the hope that the building could be historically restored.
Pope’s family had bought the property from the Underwood family. In addition to the courthouse property, Pope and Key also own a nearby house, originally owned by Elmer Nelson (who donated the jail property), and the old hotel. Key has dreams of restoring the old hotel itself one day.
Immediately upon receiving the “Old Clerk’s Office” property, HHT began the arduous process of seeking grant money and private donations with which to make the restoration.
With the help of Pocahontas County Landmarks Commission, Pocahontas County Commission, Randall Reid-Smith, the Commissioner of the West Virginia History and Culture Division; and several members of his staff, WV State Senators and Representatives, Pocahontas County Bicentennial Commission, donations by local clubs and many private donations, the “Old Clerk’s Office” has been restored and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
HHT hired Michael Giolis, a professional historic preservation expert to do the original survey and then put out bids for the historic restoration with the support and guidance of the county commission.
The bid was awarded to Past Respects, LLC, owned and operated by Frank and Sherry Unger. They began work in early spring of 2024 and completed the exterior work in time for the dedication, timed to coincide with West Virginia Day, June 20.
The interior restoration will be completed by spring of 2025.
In addition to Huntersville and Pocahontas County residents and a few out of state visitors, those in attendance at the dedication program were county officials, state dignitaries, a representative of the History and Culture staff, members and friends of the HHT board, and the historic preservationists mentioned above.
They included:
Pocahontas County Commissioners John Rebinski and Walt Helmick, representing the Commission that was crucial in securing county funding.
Landmarks board members Ruthana Beezley, Bradley Hertko and Bob Sheets, representing the Pocahontas County Landmarks Commission which provided funding.
State Senator Bill Hamilton (Senator Karnes and former Senator Bill Hartman weren’t present, but all three senators played a vital role in securing state funding).
Cody Straley from the WV History and Culture division, as representative of Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith and Susan Pierce’s State Historic Preservation office (Straley handled much of the state paperwork necessary to push the project through).
Cheryl Key, whose family donated the “Old Clerk’s Office” property.
Pocahontas County Clerk Missy Bennett, historic preservationist, Michel Giolis, the Unger construction team.
Wade’s fellow HHT trustee, Jim Buzzard and HHT board members, secretary/treasurer Linda Adams and members, Joy Mullins and Laura Dean Bennett.
Another member, Mary Jo Fisher, who had been one of the longest-serving members of the board and instrumental in gathering so much history of Huntersville, the Civil War cemetery and John Bradshaw’s grave, passed away last year.
Wade announced that HHT will name its museum, located nearby on Rt. 39, in Fisher’s honor.
Colonel John Bradshaw, who’d been an Indian scout for the Virginia militia before the Revolutionary War, and fought with distinction in that war, returned to settle in Huntersville when the war was won.
Bradshaw suggested the name, “Huntersville,” to honor the hunters whose presence had founded the village.
He donated the land for the first Pocahontas County courthouse, which was situated near his home.
In 1891, the county seat was moved from Hunters-ville to the newly established timber boom town of Marlinton.
In 2007, Huntersville Historical Traditions was formed to preserve, promote and educate about Huntersville history. It began acquiring and restoring the historical sites of Huntersville.
Many of those present asked about the beautiful old white home sitting just above the jail and courthouse property.
It has long been known as “The Barlow House,” but is now owned by Pat Walker and Ginny Stewart, a couple who are passionate about history.
The couple have become enthusiastic HHT supporters and volunteer at many HHT events.
They graciously took many visitors on tours through the home and told us that they believe that John Bradshaw’s original cabin is located inside one of their old barns.
They have hopes of excavating the cabin and restoring it so that, some day, it can take its rightful place among the other historical sites of Huntersville.
Around the year 1841 an academy had been established to address the educational needs of Huntersville and surrounding communities. In 1880 a two room, two story schoolhouse was built on or near the site of the academy.
This building – the Huntersville School – was used for grades 1-6 for many years. It still exists today, restored to its original condition by HHT and is open for tours several times a year.
In the woods, on a hill behind the schoolhouse, is a cemetery where several Confederate soldiers are buried. It had been lost to history for well over a hundred years, but was known to the families who lived nearby.
The cemetery was first cleared of trees and brush in the 1990s by a reenactor group led by former Huntersville resident Mike Sheets.
An annual festival sponsored by HHT – Huntersville Traditions Day – is held the first weekend of October, to showcase the historic sites of Huntersville along with old time music, living history demonstrations and old Appalachian traditions.
The money raised by the festival goes toward restoration and maintenance of the historic sites of Huntersville.
During his remarks, Wade thanked everyone who made the dedication of the “Old Clerk’s Office” possible.
“On behalf of the Huntersville Historical Traditions board we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our many supporters and friends,” Wade said.
“Honestly, we couldn’t have done any of this without your support.
“We also need to thank the people of Pocahontas County and all the thousands of visitors, some from around the state of West Virginia and some from out of state who have come, over the years, to visit us during Huntersville Traditions Days.
“Their support has made everything we’ve done here in Huntersville possible,” he added.
“We’ll look forward to seeing you all right here again this fall for Huntersville Traditions Days, on the 4th and 5th of October.
“Put it on your calendar right now!”
