MOVING THE WALL LOG CABIN - PAGE 2
Latest Newspaper Update
December, 2001
"Moving day closes in for Mercer's Wall cabin"
By: BARBARA HAWKINS and JOHN NELSON
of the Daily Telegraph staff
December 27, 2001
"PRINCETON - A historic log house, which may be the site where Mercer County was "born," is being prepared for a short journey from the place it has stood for the past 150 years near Rt. 20 to Glenwood Recreation Park.
Carrying a wealth of history and possibly even secrets about a ghost, the log structure is commonly known as "The Wall House" and sometimes referred to also as "The Calfee Cabin." It will be moved by J.L. Gilbert & Son House Movers either late this week or next week. It stands on property owned by Dr. David Najar and will be relocated to a section at the back of Glenwood Park.
Historians believe the cabin's construction suggests the house was built shortly after the end of the 1794 Indian wars with an awareness of possible attack. The second story appears to have been designed for defense, including a porthole through which rifles could be fired.
A former employee of the West Virginia Resource Development and Conservation Area, Inc., Elwood Vaughn, told the Daily Telegraph Wednes-day the ground appeared to be too soft to move the house that day, as originally planned.
He said the project will cost approximately $5,600 for the move by truck and between $5,000 and $10,000 for restoration.
Vaughn said recently obtained information about the historic structure may give it an even more important reputation in Mercer County. He said evidence has been found leading toward it being named Mercer County's "very first county courthouse." It possibly was used as a courthouse/meeting place for officials of the area while it was inhabited.
Darrell McPherson, local historian, is credited with involving the Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. and raising local money.
His prior historic information included the structure standing beside the "old Tazewell Turnpike for at least 50 years" and remaining in the Wall family until it was sold to Najar. The house reportedly is near the Brush Creek camp that was visited by Englishman Robert Williams, who wrote the book, "Border Ruffians," describing the hearty frontier lifestyle of late 1700s pioneers."
©Bluefield Daily Telegraph 2001
If you would like to help add to the fund and see this cabin preserved, you can send you tax exempt donations to;
Mountain RC&D
c/o Wall House
204 1/2 West Maple Ave.
Fayetteville, W. Va. 25840
Even if this cabin does not belong to our Wall line, we would love very much to see History preserved!
Thank You!
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