It was a somewhat typical spring day in southern West Virginia. Maybe a little cooler than normal, with blue skies. Then by mid-afternoon clouds started moving in. That was my signal to grab my camera bag and head to nearby Zenith, a small community at the base of Peter’s Mountain in Monroe County. I had been there with my camera before, in the fall and winter. But, spring called for more pictures, with fresh leaves and green grass.
Zenith is a few miles off the main highway, and therefore quite rural. A narrow paved road is the only way in and out. As I turned on Zenith Road, a startled wild turkey flew across in front of the truck. The old general store, a grist mill, a church and volunteer fire department are the most obvious signs of the once lively community.
There’s a number of older homes in the area, many of which have fallen into disuse and disrepair. Others still in use are quite striking, as the farm below with big white house and fence, at the base of the mountain.
The old mill is the most unusual survivor of the community. McClung’s Mill, with its huge overshot wheel, was moved to it’s present location in the early 1900’s from nearby Craig County, Virginia. It was used continuously for grinding grain through the 1960s.
We were there only a short time before the clouds started to move off in the distance. But, I got what I came for, fresh pictures recording a spring afternoon. I’ll be back to Zenith. It’s a small piece of West Virginia history, and a worthy diversion for the back road photographer or historian.
Loved your worked and the pictures, were great! Grew up here in Monroe co. and went school here it’s a great place to see and a lot of beautiful places to explore! Thanks for putting some on Facebook for others to enjoy! I now love in Gbr. Co. Not far from Where I was raised and close to Monroe co to! Thank you!😀
Thanks, Carolyn. Monroe County has so many places to explore. I occasionally make it to Greenbrier and do some shooting there, too. I’m sure I’ll have something on here in the future.
I love your pictures of Zenith in Monroe County. I grew up in Sweet Springs . I have been gone from Monroe for almost 39 years but I try to go back home at least once a year to visit family. I love driving the backroads of Monroe County when I am there. I have driven the Zenith road many times. It’s always a beautiful drive…so many beautiful places in Monroe County. It’s like taking a step back into a gentler time…very peaceful.
Thanks, Beverly. I couldn’t agree more. Monroe County has so many fabulous places to visit. Some are like a step back in time.
I live in Zenith, with all its beauty and quietness, I wouldn’t trade it for all the riches in the world…
My grandmother ran that store in Zenith and lived in the house next to it. I used to go to mill, across the street to the spring house for water, to Rays ponds and we got milk from McClungs farm up the hill in the mid 1960s to early 1970s.
Hello Robin
We recently purchased a piece of pottery marked Zenith, W. Va. on the bottom. It is also signed “zacher”. In an online search for information your post popped up. Does the name Zacher mean anything to you? It was purchased in Ellsworth, Maine! Thanks for any information you can provide!
Al
Al, I was contacted by an individual who has some information, letting me know that it was made by “Zack Zaker [sic],” of Back Valley Road. They believe Mr. Zacker is still making pottery.