Oh, the things these mountains have seen! When it comes to history, West Virginia truly has experienced it all. From Native American civilizations to early European pioneers, from the French and Indian War to the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, from trapping to logging to mining to farming, from presidents to outlaws… it seems like everything under the sun has occurred right here on the rugged Appalachian slopes of West Virginia. What’s more, you can still find historical evidence for most of it hiding within our towns and fields and forests and hollows.

In 1861 and 1862, the Confederate army dug a series of deep trenches at Fort Mill Ridge outside Romney, West Virginia in preparation to defend their hold on the area significant for its proximity to the Potomac and the Northwestern Turnpike.
Justin.A.Wilcox/Wikimedia
But the Confederates never used these trenches that they labored over; by 1963, they were in Union hands, and remained that way for the rest of the war.
Justin.A.Wilcox/Wikimedia
Today, you can still visit the Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches, complete with graveled trails and helpful informational signage so that you can fully appreciate exactly what happened in these woods with these trenches, and why.
Justin.A.Wilcox/Wikimedia

Related Stories

Gone But Not Forgotten, Rock Springs In West Virginia Holds Over 200 Years Of Memories

Gone But Not Forgotten, Rock Springs In West Virginia Holds Over 200 Years Of Memories

 7 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In West Virginia In The Early 1900s

7 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In West Virginia In The Early 1900s

 Explore The Largest Mine Wars Exhibit In America At Matewan's West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Explore The Largest Mine Wars Exhibit In America At Matewan's West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
In fact, not only can you visit them, but these well-defined dirt mounds are actually acknowledged as the most well preserved example of Civil War battle trenches in the nation!
Justin.A.Wilcox/Wikimedia
Another way to learn more about Fort Mill Ridge and the Civil War history of the Romney area is with a visit to the Taggert Hall Civil War Museum and Visitors Center in downtown Romney.
Quercus montana/Wikimedia
Have you taken the opportunity to explore the Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches? Did you know that they are THE prime example of Civil War battle trenching in the nation?
Justin.A.Wilcox/Wikimedia
The Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches are accessible from the Fort Mill Ridge Wildlife Management Area located just off the Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. Route 50) about three miles outside of Romney, West Virginia. 
자유의 남자 JU IL/Google Maps

And Fort Mill Ridge isn’t the only remote Civil War site around; did you know West Virginia also hides the remnants of the highest Union Camp in the nation?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore West Virginia

Featured Addresses
Fort Mill Ridge, Romney, WV 26757, USA