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Our Home - A Historic Log Cabin in West Virginia

12/8/2017

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Painting of Running Bug Farm's little historic log cabin nestled in the mountains of West Virginia.
Painting of our home hanging in our neighbors house.
Previous:  Why We Stopped Selling At The Farmers Market

When we first moved here we discovered that our humble little home was popular with the locals. Our neighbors showed us the picture (above) of a painting one of their guests did of our home because they were so entranced by the idyllic scene our home created. Our neighbors still have the original. I asked if we could take a photo of the painting & they said "Yes.".  So here it is.  Isn't it lovely?
Nestled among the hills of West Virginia, located on the western edge of Mountaineer Country.  Its meandering creeks, sunlit meadows and wooded hillsides provide amazing scenery and offer beautiful seasonal backdrops where history is balanced with modern progress.  A community that in its own quiet way is preserving, growing, and bettering itself.  Doddridge's roots trace back to the time of George Washington and the western expansion of the early 19th century. It was established before the Civil War in 1845, and molded around the railroad, oil, gas, and timber industries.  A place where our history, like a patchwork quilt, is stiched with a rich heritage of Native Americans, the Civil War, the early 1900's and today's Americana.  Doddridge County, West Virginia...  A destination to visit, live, and grow.  Come visit, and take
Photo courtesy: Robert Swisher Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
I am excited to also share this brochure by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County from 2002 with you. The entire back page (pictured above) of the brochure features a photo of our home. It is a historic log cabin that is believed to be build in the late 1700's or early 1800's. 
Doddridge County is moving forward, yet keeping our heritage alive.  Camping facilities, lodging, & restaurants enhance your visit to our country as you delight in its rural atmosphere.  Rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop for a leisurely drive through the country where you will find a covered bridge, meseums & opportunities for outdoor recreation.  Doddridge County is located in North Central West Virginia along US Route 50 between Interstates 77 & 79.
Cover Photos/Top to Bottom: Pat Heaster, Robert Swisher, Dave Kimball. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
We were told when we bought our home that the cabin (the logs & the stones for the chimney/fireplace) originated in one of the New England states. As the story goes, it was moved to where it is now in West Virginia sometime in the 1970's.
Our Communities:  Avon - Coldwater, Big Flint, Big Isaac, Central Station, Center Point, Crystal Lake, Greenwood, New Milton - Doddridge County WV.
Photo courtesy: Dave Kimball, Robert Swisher, Mary Swisher. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
A few stories were shared with us from the locals. Mostly that our home was used as a hunting cabin. Our first year here, nearly everyone we met told us they hunted at our cabin when we told them where we lived. It was also a party cabin. We were told about some wild parties held within these historic logs. We met two young women who were so pleased by their party days (they also had a bit too much to drink when they met us) they proudly announced how they danced around the cabin in their underwear. How they fit so many bodies into such a small space or stayed warm wearing only a bra & panties is a mystery - it gets very cold in here! 
Our Communities:  Avon - Coldwater, Big Flint, Big Isaac, Central Station, Center Point, Crystal Lake, Greenwood, New Milton - Doddridge County WV.
Photos courtesy: Robert Swisher, Pat Heaster. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
One of the most interesting stories we heard was about a woman who wanted to experiment on what it was like to be a deaf mute. She spent a month living in our cabin. She spoke to no one. The neighbors seemed to think there was something wrong with her. They couldn't understand why anyone would want to live in a rustic cabin with no running water, no bathroom, & no electricity for a month all while pretending to be deaf & mute. Granted, the locals didn't seem to have a problem with the lack of amenities when utilizing our cabin as a hunting shack or party house.  It's all about perspective isn't it?
Our Communities, Doddridge County West Virginia:  Oxford, Sedalia, Smithburg, St. Clara, Wilhelm, West Union.
Photos courtesy: Doug Geelhaar, Robert Swisher. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
When our neighbors came across this pamphlet while cleaning out their house, we were ecstatic. We heard many times from the locals that our humble little home was famous 'round these parts, featured in a brochure, but this was the first time we actually saw it.
Our Communities, Doddridge County West Virginia:  Oxford, Sedalia, Smithburg, St. Clara, Wilhelm, West Union.
Photos courtesy: Susan Hart, Robert Swisher. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
Originally I planned on just sharing the photo of our home, but realized that this was also a great opportunity to share with you what our little town & county is all about. Granted things have changed since 2002, mostly due to the Marcellus Shale (Oil/Gas/Fracking) but it is still a wonderful little town, where everybody knows your name. Just like in the movies. 
Basic map of Doddridge County West Virgina Route 50, 23, 18
Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
Here is an example of typical small town life, one of the shipping labels on a mail piece had our address nearly completely removed. By nearly completely, I am talking the barest suggestion of an address remained, yet the folks at our local post office knew exactly where to deliver our mail from what little was there was to work with. On the opposite end, we recently had a customers package get returned to us because the customer put in one wrong number for their house number. All the other information was correct yet rather than deliver the package, it was sent back. Naturally our customer wasn't happy with their mail person. It is amazing what a difference a truly small town makes. 
Map of Doddgridge County WV North Bend Rail Trail
Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
Our narrow country roads are now pitted & crumbling thanks to the huge Oil & Gas trucks that use our roads 24/7. If you decided to visit, please drive slowly, aside from trying to avoid all the holes in the roads, many of the Oil & Gas folks like to drive on the wrong side of the road rather than slow down for the countless hairpin turns our WV roads are known for; they will live if they hit you, you probably wont survive. If you want to speak out for all of us country folk, record your trip & show the world what it's like in a small rural mountain town.  Show the good & the bad, we have both, but we can practically guarantee that even with Oil & Gas ruling, you will love our town & our people.
Area Attractions, Doddridge County WV:  Center Point Coverd Bridge & Outpost Library, Doddridge County Courthouse, Library, & Museum, Hickory Ridge School, Jaco Cave, Krenn One-Room School, Opera House, Smithton Railroad Depot & Museum, Satue
Photo courtesy: Dave Kimball. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
Our small town now has a brand new library (there was a library when we moved here, but it was in an old building & very cramped) with a huge community room, a section for teens complete with furniture, a main area with comfortable seating & a huge fireplace & more. You will surely enjoy the nostalgic feel of a time gone past as you meander past many historic buildings & enjoy our towns Main Street which has been re-done with old fashioned street lights & bricked sidewalks.
Doddridge County WV, 26456 Events 2002
Photo courtesy: Dave Kimball. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
There is a lot of outdoor recreation available for anyone who enjoys getting back to nature.  If you decide to visit, I personally recommend the Rail Trail. You can bike it, hike it, or horseback it. There are various tunnels & bridges to cross, places to picnic & enjoy.
Doddridge County WV, 26456 Recreational Activities Include:  Rail Trail, Middle Island Creek, Parks, Campground, Archery...
Photo courtesy: Dave Kimball, Robert Swisher. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
While Oil & Gas are King, if we can get more people here to support what else West Virginia offers (WV has one of the best wine growing regions in the country among many other things), maybe we will one day see a change for the positive in our beautiful state.
Doddridge County WV, 26456 Recreational Activities Include:  Hunting & Artisans.
Photo courtesy: Jeff Swisher, Robert Swisher, Denise McIntire. Brochure produced by MAP (Marketing And Promotion) of Doddridge County 2002
Now this is a place we have made our own, a place we have made our home in Wild & Wonderful West Virginia, Almost Heaven.
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    Do you dream about living the simple life?  Your own idyllic farm where the cows moo and the veggies are the best you've ever eaten? I've got a surprise for you, homesteading isn't easy! Join me at my small eco family farm where we stumble often, and learn as we go. This is indeed the good life, but it is also a very hard life that only rewards for that hard work... or not!  Back to the land, it's tough and I love it.Hi there! My name is Jen. I'm a "tree hugging dirt worshiper" who has been organically farming for well over a decade. It never ceases to amaze me at how much I've learned & how much I am still learning. I have studied natural health, nutrition, & herbs for over two decades. Our health & the natural world around us are connected in ways we don't often realize. How we treat the land & animals directly affects us in both body & mind. My goal is to provide others with truly natural humane goods from my own little piece of paradise, & to freely pass along whatever knowledge I pick up along the way. I am grateful every day to be able to have such a worthwhile & fulfilling job surrounded by the beauty & unpredictability of Mother Nature.

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