At the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers lies the charming, quirky little town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Right at the point of land where these two mighty rivers converge, just a short walk from downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia’s smallest state park overlooks a beautiful waterfront vista and commemorates the area’s history with a striking Washington Monument lookalike.
The focal point of Tu-Endie-Wei State Park in Point Pleasant is an 84-foot granite obelisk that looks remarkably similar to the Washington Monument (although only a fraction of its height).
This obelisk stands in memory of those who lost their lives in a single-day battle almost 250 years ago that changed the course of our country: the Battle of Point Pleasant, in which hundreds of settlers and Native Americans lost their lives.
The Battle of Point Pleasant occurred on October 10, 1774, between militia of what was then the British colony of Virginia and warriors of several native tribes.
In this bloody battle along the bluffs of the Kanawha, the Native Americans led by renowned Shawnee Chief Cornstalk were defeated by the Virginians under Andrew Lewis. Hundreds on either side were killed or wounded.
This battle occurred only months before the American Revolution began, and is considered by some to be the first battle of the Revolution. It was significant because, while bringing a period of peace to the local region, it ended any chance of an alliance between the Native Americans and the British - an alliance which might have changed the outcome of the war.
You'll also find the Mansion House, an original building dating back to 1796, once a tavern but now a museum packed with historical artifacts documenting the rich history that took place on this very spot. The Museum is only open seasonally.
The park is set in a green space just at the point of the two rivers, offering wonderful views of each. To add to your visit, walk along the flood wall, take in more river views, and enjoy the murals and statues. Or peruse the shops and the Mothman Museum downtown!
Enjoy the rich history and eclectic charm and beauty of Point Pleasant and take a relaxing stroll to West Virginia’s own Washington Monument lookalike. To learn more about Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, visit West Virginia State Parks online. Do you know of any other miniature lookalikes in the Mountain State? It’s not quite the same, but there’s a miniature, lookalike lighthouse on Summersville Lake that you can actually climb!
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