Discover Beverly: Houses, Trails, and Local History

Beverly combines an accessible local history with discoveries that unfold step by step. Historic buildings, information panels, a revised walking tour, and nearby destinations make the town interesting for anyone looking for more than a beautiful view while traveling. Choosing a vacation rental in Beverly therefore makes it especially easy to shape your stay around culture, history, and short excursions.

Historic Buildings in the Townscape

A notable starting point for exploring the local history is the Jacob Stalnaker Cabin. It is located behind the Blackman-Bosworth Store and was built around 1795. The building is considered an example of an early settler cabin. Particularly noteworthy is the post-and-beam extension visible on the outside and integrated into the log structure. Architectural details like these make the development of early settlement forms directly understandable.

The Subscription Schoolhouse is also part of Beverly’s historic character. It was built in the 1870s, moved from Bell’s Farm near Becky’s Creek to its present location in Beverly in 1993, and is the last of its kind in Randolph County and possibly the last in West Virginia. The building houses a collection of objects from one-room schoolhouses. It can be visited during the Randolph County Museum’s opening hours or by appointment.

The Beverly Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The areas of significance listed include architecture, exploration and settlement, military affairs, politics and government, and social and humanitarian concerns. The district encompasses residential and commercial buildings dating from the 18th century through the mid-20th century. The present-day Beverly Methodist Church on North Main Street, built in 1890, is also one of the town’s historic points of interest.

Experience History in Different Formats

The Beverly Heritage Center brings together four adjoining buildings in the heart of Beverly as a heritage attraction. During living history days, reenactors and costumed interpreters appear there. The Beverly Walking Tour has been revised and supplemented with information panels throughout the town and at specific buildings. An ongoing scavenger hunt with five clues leads through Beverly and highlights the local history. This allows you to decide whether you would rather focus on architectural history, short discoveries, or a playful search.

The Beverly Heritage Day also offers different ways to engage with the past. The program includes tours of historic houses, traditional crafts, food, music, and living history. Beverly Heritage Day 2023 additionally featured living-history camps, reenactors, demonstrations, presentations, exhibitions, a history parade, and activities and games for children. In 2023, the event was described as an annual Heritage Day presenting historical periods.

Trails and Nearby Destinations

For a travel plan that includes some activity, the Hart Farm site at Rich Mountain Battlefield offers historic markers, numerous information panels, and a loop trail about half a mile long. The site is located near Beverly. Rich Mountain Battlefield is reached via Rich Mountain Road, which branches west from Route 250; the Battlefield is listed as being five miles away. This makes it possible to combine a stay in Beverly with a short loop trail and a historical excursion idea without losing sight of the town’s history.

Beverly Cemetery is considered the oldest public cemetery west of the Allegheny Mountains. This classification adds another place to the buildings and loop trails where the historical significance of the region can be explored. The Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike ran directly through Beverly and brought trade and travelers through the town. This former transportation link explains another aspect of the town’s development without reducing Beverly to a single era.

Choosing Accommodation That Fits Your Travel Plans

When looking for accommodation in Beverly, it is worth deciding in advance what you want to focus on during your stay. For a day centered on cultural history, the Jacob Stalnaker Cabin, Subscription Schoolhouse, Beverly Heritage Center, and Historic District are the main attractions. Those who prefer to combine several short discoveries can include the walking tour, the scavenger hunt, and the loop trail at the Hart Farm site. Looking back at Heritage Day 2023, families will also find an event format that explicitly included activities and games for children. A vacation rental or vacation home in Beverly is therefore particularly well suited to your plans when local history and varied experiences define the character of your trip.

More Places to Include in Your Plans

If you would like to choose additional destinations besides Beverly, you can also include Dryfork, Elkins, and Huttonsville in your further research.

For the broader travel overview: Randolph County.