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Barbour County

Barbour County was created from parts of Lewis, Harrison, and Randolph counties by an act of the Virginia legislature on March 3, 1843. The county was named for the distinguished Virginia jurist Philip Pendleton Barbour, as was the county seat, Philippi. Settlement began as early as 1780.

Mapped Points

• Philippi

  Chartered in 1844, Philippi is the county seat of Barbour County. Philippi was the site of the first land battle of the Civil War, June 3, 1861. Philippi is home to the well-known covered bridge, constructed in 1852, and Alderson-Broaddus College. Adaland, the Greek Revival house built by Augustus Modisett, stands near Philippi.
  

  

• Belington

  Belington, the second-largest town in the county, was named after John Bealin, who established a store there before the Civil War. The Battle of Belington or Laurel Mountain took place July 7–11, 1861. Federal troops attacked Confederates and drove them from their positions on Laurel Mountain.

• Buckhannon River

  Nearly 47 miles long, the Buckhannon River empties into the Tygart Valley River near Carrollton in Barbour County.
  

  

• Middle Fork River

  The Middle Fork River flows through Audra State Park.

• Tygart Valley River

  The Tygart Valley River is a major tributary of the Monongahela River.
  

  

• Audra State Park

  Audra State Park includes hiking trails, camping sites, and a swimming area.

• Philippi Covered Bridge

  The covered bridge over the Tygart Valley River in Philippi was completed in 1852 by the noted bridge builder Lemuel Chenoweth.
  

  

• Alderson-Broaddus

  Alderson-Broaddus College was formed through the merger of two institutions and is associated with the American Baptist Church.
  

  

• Adaland

  Adaland (Modisett Mansion) is a Greek Revival house that was built by Augustus Modisett between 1868 and 1872. The house was later home to prominent jurist Ira Robinson who renamed it Adaland in honor of his wife and mother. The house is open to the public.

• Tygart Lake

  Tygart Lake was created by the damming of the Tygart Valley River during the Great Depression. Tygart Lake State Park, located on the lake’s eastern shore in Taylor County, offers a lodge, restaurant, cabins and camping, and a range of recreational opportunities.