High in the Allegheny Mountains lies a tiny town that you can visit to take a step away from modern rush and back in time. Cass, West Virginia, population approximately 50, holds a special place in the state and region: it has survived almost untouched from its first days as an early twentieth-century logging town. Today, this town, with its excellently preserved company store, rows of company houses, and original Shay steam locomotives, transports visitors back to those timber boom days.
Once, these steam engines - some of the last of their kind in service today - hauled logging crews up the incredibly steep sides of Back Allegheny Mountain to harvest the virgin timber high on its slopes.
Today, over a hundred years later, these same engines carry visitors up the same grade to drink in the awe-inspiring views of the high peaks and green valleys of Appalachia.
The history of Cass is fascinating; what is more amazing is how you can relive the history of this village in Pocahontas County today. Now part of the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, the town of Cass is a perfect destination for a thrilling and educational day trip.
During the summer months, train rides leave five days a week from the depot to take you up to the top of Bald Knob, the state’s second highest point.
Enjoy increasingly expansive vistas from the open air train cars as you climb, and at the top, step off and be amazed at the panoramic mountain views across two states.
The 2,300 foot elevation gain up the mountain will also bring you into an entirely new climate zone, with spruce trees and alpine flora and fauna, so dress warmly! A shorter ride takes you to Whittaker Station, where you can tour a recreated logging camp.
Back at Cass, explore the Cass Company Store, a historic building which houses a gift shop and the acclaimed Last Run Restaurant. Visit the free Cass Historical Museum, which features many historic artifacts related to the community and the railroad, as well as antique shops with a variety of handcrafted items locally made.
Besides making an amazing day trip, Cass is also perfect for an overnight destination. The company houses, once used by workers and their families, have been restored and are now used as lodges that hold from two to fourteen overnight guests.
The renowned Green Bank Observatory, with the world’s largest steerable radio telescope and science center, and the Snowshoe Resort, are close by. Cass is also the northern endpoint of the acclaimed Greenbrier River Trail.
Visit Cass, West Virginia, for a journey up the mountain and back in time that you’ll never forget! To learn more and plan a trip, visit the West Virginia State Parks website here. For a more detailed glimpse of a Cass Scenic Railroad train ride adventure up Bald Knob, check out this article.
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