On Our Own Soil - The Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike

Weston and Gauley Bridge

 Turnpike: A Historic

 Pathway Through Time

 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Burnsville, Braxton County, West Virginia, the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike is more than just a scenic hiking trail—it's a living relic of 19th-century ingenuity and Civil War history. Stretching 10 miles with a width of approximately 20 feet, this unpaved trail, now administered by the Army Corps of Engineers, bears the marks of a bygone era when the nation was forging its identity amidst expansion, industry, and war.

A Pathway for Progress

Construction of the turnpike began in 1847, a time when the Appalachian region’s rough terrain demanded innovative infrastructure to connect its growing communities. The route served as a lifeline, linking farmers, sawmills, and salt works in Lewis, Braxton, and Nicholas counties with the bustling grist mills and markets in Sutton. The road transformed the local economy, enabling the transport of timber, salt, and agricultural goods to new markets.

 

The Road To War

The Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike became more than an economic artery—it turned into a strategic military asset during the American Civil War. In 1861, Union troops marched this very path to secure western Virginia, a region critical to the Union war effort. Their control of the turnpike helped solidify supply lines and paved the way for the eventual creation of West Virginia as a Union state in 1863.

The turnpike also played a pivotal role during the Battle of Bulltown on October 13, 1863. This intense clash between Union and Confederate forces saw the road transformed into a corridor of troop movement and supply. Union forces successfully repelled Confederate attempts to seize the turnpike and its surrounding region, ensuring the Union's strategic dominance in West Virginia.

 

A Legacy Preserved

Today, the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike stands as a testament to both the ingenuity of early infrastructure and the endurance of a nation during its most trying times. Visitors walking its historic trail follow in the footsteps of farmers, pioneers, and soldiers, each of whom shaped the legacy of this remarkable roadway. More than a path through the woods, the turnpike is a journey through history, inviting us to reflect on its critical role in shaping West Virginia’s past.