The GPS led us down a dirt path into dense woods, we came to a clearing and a house festooned with "NO TRESPASSING SIGNS." An angry little dog greeted us and chased us away as we retreated and retraced our way back to a trail that led off to the left.
A picturesque weathered outbuilding with a spanking new "TRUMP" sign caught my eye. So I stopped for a picture in case this was the only structure in this "Concord."
Off in the distance a man in a blue shirt was working in a log-cabin style shed.
"Hey, how are you? Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions."
"Sure."
"Is this Concord?"
"You see that trail? some people come jogging down there from a camp called 'Concord,' so yeah, I guess this is Concord."
"Sure."
"Is this Concord?"
"You see that trail? some people come jogging down there from a camp called 'Concord,' so yeah, I guess this is Concord."
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Jonathan showed me around his shed. I couldn't get the right light to capture the beautiful hodgepodge for defunct farming equipment. |
But Jonathan was willing to pose for a portrait in front of his barn.
The old blacksmith forge. The stonework will long outlast the timber structure.
We set off to find the "Concord Camp" about a mile down the road. We weren't expecting much, but we found "Second Heaven."
In the 1820's , The Concord Meeting House was located in present-day Concord. The Concord Presbyterian Church also operated in the hamlet. A post office was established in 1876 and remained in operation until 1933. According to Wikipedia, the post office had seven postmasters including five grandchildren of James Kelso: Ida Cordella Kelso, John Newton Kelso, Carter Gilbert Kelso, Laura Ellen Kelso and Olive Willetta Kelso. I found a reference to the L Ridge School operating in Concord in 1933, but I couldn't find it on the 1933 map of Hampshire County. Perhaps it was misspelled since the main road by Concord was Eldridge Road.According to the new Wikipedia article that appeared within the past seven years, Concord in Hampshire County, West Virginia, has had quite a history. The land upon which Concord is located was part of a royal grant by King Charles II in 1649 to seven of his supporters during his exile due to the English Civil War. The grant was renewed after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1669. English and German settlers came to the area in the 18th century.
James Kelso from Donegal Ireland purchased 779 acres near Concord in 1804 and his holdings would eventually grow to 2000 acres.
James Kelso from Donegal Ireland purchased 779 acres near Concord in 1804 and his holdings would eventually grow to 2000 acres.
In the 1820's , The Concord Meeting House was located in present-day Concord. The Concord Presbyterian Church also operated in the hamlet. A post office was established in 1876 and remained in operation until 1933. According to Wikipedia, the post office had seven postmasters including five grandchildren of James Kelso: Ida Cordella Kelso, John Newton Kelso, Carter Gilbert Kelso, Laura Ellen Kelso and Olive Willetta Kelso. I found a reference to the L Ridge School operating in Concord in 1933, but I couldn't find it on the 1933 map of Hampshire County. Perhaps it was misspelled since the main road by Concord was Eldridge Road.
In 2010, the property was purchased by the Concord Retreat Center Camp. We followed a wooded drive around a corner and were greeted by a 32’ high statue of Jesus.
It was off-season, so the camp was empty. Besides the giant Jesus and the Pilgrim’s Progress steps to the summit, there were signs of the usual camps activities: basketball court, volleyball sandpit, pool, and ropes course. A quick check of their website shows a wide range of activities. I never thought the path to deeper faith was found through paintball.
The one structure that remained from the old town of Concord was the Post Office. It had closed over 90 years ago. Perhaps the general store struggled on through The Great Depression.
The front door was locked, but the side door was ajar. Liz stayed outside, and she missed the beautiful interior. The dozens of little crannies that made up the shelves spoke to the variety of items that must have been stocked.
The old post office seems so out of place in this modern Christian setting, but I’m so glad the present owners preserved this final connection to Concord West Virginia’s past.