History of Greenbrier County
Our Early Frontier
During the early 18th century - the area now known as Greenbrier County was largely uninhabited. No permanent Indian villages were found and only a few trappers roamed the area. It wasn’t until 1740 that colonists began to arrive. The county was officially chartered later in 1782. Forts sprung up to protect the colonists leaving native limestone buildings still standing today, a testament to the colonist’s determination toward westward expansion.
Camp Union & the Battle of Point Pleasant
1774 - After many Indian raids in the Valley, it was Governor Dunmore of Virginia who instructed Colonel Andrew Lewis to gather “willing and able men” to go to the great Kanawha River and stand against the Indian forces that had so prevalently attacked the Greenbrier Valley. Over 1,490 men were assembled, including Lewis’s brother Charles and consisting of what history books refer to as one of the most remarkable assemblages of frontier leaders in American history. Thirteen were men of political and military distinction.
The militia traveled over 150 miles to “the point” of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers - at which time Andrew Lewis’s men referred to it as Point Pleasant. While Dunmore’s army, still a day behind, was moving in from the north, Chief Cornstalk had moved his Shawnees by moonlight toward Lewis’s army of sleeping Virginians.
At dawn, the Indians opened with heavy fire - killing many including Andrew Lewis’s brother and several officers. Lewis rushed in reinforcements and the battle raged with increased intensity until just before nightfall. Lewis then moved companies to the rear of the Indians three quarters of a mile above them and they opened with strong fire. Mistaking that this was the arrival of Dunmore’s reinforcements - the Indians retreated and the battle was won.
The Shawnees later met with Dunmore and signed a treaty for peace - fearful of further retaliation from Lewis’s army. Their treaty agreed that they would cease hunting south of the Ohio River and return the captives and horses they had captured in earlier raids. Many historians believe this to be one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War.
Dick Pointer - A Frontier Hero & Later Freed Slave
In 1778, Indian raids continued on the area, including a raid on Fort Randolph and later on Fort Donnally, then inhabited by 25 men and 60 women and children. The most heroic of the defenders of Fort Donnally was an African American slave - Dick Pointer. Pointer, said to have stood 7 foot tall, defended the log door - giving the settlers enough time to awaken and defend themselves against the Indian invaders. Pointer later addressed the Virginia General Assembly and gave a moving appeal that “in the decline of life” he be freed for his defense of Fort Donnally. Historic accounts differ as to whether the legislature ever provided his freedom.
His grave is marked beside Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, along with a historical marker placed prominently in the midst of the Lewisburg Cemetery. Pointer’s musket is on permanent display at The North House Museum.
Civil War History
The Civil War came to the county in 1861 and several battles were fought in the area including Lewisburg in May 1862 and White Sulphur Springs in August 1863. You may be wondering if the towns were made up of Confederate or Union sympathizers? We’ll suffice to say that Lewisburg was a southern outpost during most of the War, and the entire county sat below the Mason-Dixon line. While other historians may contend that Union sympathizers lived among them - one thing is for certain. If this is true - it made for interesting dinner conversation back in the 1860s.
Finest Lumber in America
Greenbrier County’s lumber roots can be traced along the ancient buffalo paths that ran through the county’s undisturbed forests full of deciduous trees. These trails led the first settlers into Greenbrier County and eventually brought the Raine brothers, whom Rainelle is named for, to form the Meadow River Lumber Company in 1906.
When the first Meadow River Lumber Company mill was constructed, it was considered to be the largest mill of its type in the world. The mill had the capability to produce 30,000,000 board/foot of lumber annually and made finished lumber, flooring, furniture, and even shoe heels. Known for the quality of its oak hardwood flooring, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City as well as the Governors Reception Hall in the WV State Capitol building are shod in Greenbrier County lumber. The mill ceased production in 1970.
Play Through History...
Few know golf began in Greenbrier County...well at least on this side of America. In 1884, the first organized golf course began - under no loud fanfare- here in White Sulphur Springs.
The Montagues needed a place away from Scotland to play - so they created their own club and course. Today, you can still play the original course - where sheep roam freely, keeping the greens “mowed” and in tiptop shape. And, don’t forget to leave your clubs and tees at home. You’ll take to the course at Oakhurst with replica equipment, gutta-percha balls, and buckets of sand and water, all included in your green fees.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the history of golf along with the Oakhurst museum - where golf history is relived in their publications and memorabilia. Now that’s real golf history that even Tiger Woods would be proud.
