Our Home - A Historic Log Cabin in West Virginia

Painting of our home hanging in our neighbors house.

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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?

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. 

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.

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! 

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?

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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