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Taking stock: What does Highland offer?
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Amy Middleton is a local artist. She attended the input session for a proposed four-county Alleghany Tourism Trail at The Highland Center. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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MONTEREY - According to a group of citizens at last Wednesday's tourism trail input session at The Highland Center, there's plenty to do and see in Highland County. The group gathered to develop a list of tourist assets for inclusion in a feasibility study into a potential tourism trail connecting Highland, Bath, Alleghany and Craig; city of Covington; and towns of Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Monterey and New Castle.
The assets of Highland County, according to attendees at the input session, are:
¦ Rivers - Bullpasture, Cowpasture, Jackson and South Branch of the Potomac.
¦ Historic sites - The McDowell Civil War battlefield, the French and Indian War Fort George site; and, on the borders of Highland, the Civil War Camp Allegheny and Fort Johnson. The old Staunton to Parkersburg Turnpike crosses Highland from east to west. The Highland County Museum and Heritage Center in McDowell and the Highland Maple Museum are public places that recount the history of the county. The many historic and quaint churches of the county and small church and family cemeteries were also praised for their contribution to the county's attractiveness to visitors. McDowell Presbyterian Church, established in 1822, was singled out for its historic importance, partially because it still contains bullet holes from the Civil War battle fought nearby. Old barns were added to the list, along with log structures, pre-Civil War brick houses, split rail fences, and the New Hampden and Palo Alto mills.
Carolyn Pohowsky said the Monterey walking tour was made up of houses predating 1920.
¦ Natural resources - Highland has national forest, a wildlife management area, Laurel Fork and the Bullpasture River Gorge, all of which suggest an outdoors theme. Bear Mountain Lodge on Allegheny Mountain has camping as well as cabins, and Locust Spring in Laurel Fork has a camp- ground, giving overnight visitors another option for accommodation in addition to the many bed and breakfasts, the 1950s style motel and the century old hotel in Monterey. Attendees lauded the scenic views and intrinsic beauty of the county. "No commercial billboards," said one person. Another mentioned working farms, another the pristine nature of the county. The trout hatcheries are a tourist attraction, said an attendee. One person said the Allegheny Mountain area had a dark sky designation in recognition of its lack of nighttime artificial lighting. Patti Reum of Bear Mountain Lodge mentioned high elevation mountain habitats; John Sweet mentioned interesting geology such as Sounding Knob and Trimble Knob. Scenic overlooks were added to the list, including Shenandoah Mountain, Lance Mountain, Monterey Mountain and Alleghany Mountain.
¦ Recreation - Attendees said the private Needle's Eye Golf Course, hunting, fishing, caving, horseback riding, bird watching and wildlife trails were listed among the many activities visitors to Highland could enjoy. Some pointed to the future, noting the development of a swimming pool and a bike trail.
¦ Festivals attract tourists, attendees said. Highland has Hands and Harvest, Maple Festival, a county fair, the Mountain Mama road bike challenge, Wintertide, Highland 5K run, Fourth of July parade in Blue Grass, biennial garden tour and McDowell Battle reenactment and McDowell heritage days.
¦ The many artists and artisans of Highland give visitors more things to see and do. Local art and handmade items are available at the Gallery of Mountain Secrets, Ginseng Mountain Store, and Wool Becomes Ewe. All sorts of artists are represented in the county, from watercolor to acrylic and oil, fiber artists and potters. Highland has a wordsmith and a blacksmith. Local clubs and guilds support the interest in the arts - the quilt guild, knitting group, arts council, and woodworking guild. Local artisans and artists turn out handcrafted furniture, jewelry, brooms, handmade paper, felted items, photography, and soap in addition to many paintings and pottery. Local writers such as Donald McCaig, Will Vaus and Paul Klein add a literary flair to the area. The Highland Center has a working art studio open to visitors who wish to see it. The Highland County Arts Council has open painting sessions on Mondays and periodically offers classes.
¦ Shopping and lodging - Highland offers a number of specialty shops including Morning Glories and Moonflowers, Main Street Treasures, Mill Alley Art and Frame, Pass it On Consignment Shoppe and the Attic. The local newspaper, The Recorder, has been in continuous publication since Oct. 1877, said Clay Hamilton. Other stores include 115 W Main St., Antiques at Narrowfellow, Narrowfellow at Mill Alley, Mariah Boone and Highland County Crafts. There are also lodging facilities in the county.
¦ Highland is a center for healing and healthy practices - Several attendees mentioned the healing arts businesses in the county, including Aikido, Thai Yoga massage, several masseuses in the county, Little Mountain Yoga, Pure Space Feng Shui, Artful Gifts, a chiropractor, and a hypnotherapist.
¦ Music - 220 South is a bluegrass band that has published music, the Fiddle and Bow club carries on the traditional Friday nights. Little Switzerland Cloggers, Sundance Express Dance Studio and the Highland Ballet Academy round out the musical side of Highland with a variety of dance opportunities.
¦ Restaurants - The Highland Inn provides meals, as does High's, Mountain Hideaway, Frostie Bun, Corbett's Store. Several general stores such as Evelyn's Pantry, Stonewall Grocery, and McDowell Gas'N Go provide sandwiches. H&H Cash Store carries a large variety of items. Blue Roof Caterers is one of several caterers in the county.
¦ Farms - Many sheep and cattle farms dot the landscape. Blagg Homestead Farm offers a bed and breakfast, as does Bobbie's B&B. Mike Armstrong is known as the local horse whisperer. There are sawmills and loggers in the county. Mad Maggie farm produces foodstuffs, socks, wool products, and other valueadded agricultural products. Local honey producers and maple producers also sell there products in the county. Highland has seasonal camps that produce maple syrup and provide tours of their facilities. The farmers' market in Monterey is open from June through September and is held at the newly finished Highland Pavilion at The Highland Center.
¦ Civic organizations and clubs - Highland has many volunteer organizations that hold numerous public functions throughout the year, including the Stonewall, Blue Grass, Mill Gap and Bolar Ruritans, and the Monterey Lions Club. Other social clubs contribute to the county's culture, such as the Monterey Garden Club, Highland Historical Society and Highland County Arts Council. The Highland SPCA has a benefit shop called The Attic. The Highland Chapter of Archaeological Society of Virginia, the Bath-Highland Bird Club, the Fiber Guild of the Allegheny Highlands, and the Quilt Guild offer other social outlets for Highlanders and provide workshops and seminars of interest to visitors. The Highland Center has a number of tenants under its roof providing cultural programs, a ballet school, artist studio space, and room for large performances and weddings.
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