History tends to grow like trees in these old hills, and Webster County is no exception to this.  Many historic “firsts” and “lasts” took place in this county.  Indeed, the first concrete street and the first elevator in the State of West Virginia were here.  The last buffalo killed in the State, and quite possibly the last elk and panther killed in the wild, were harvested here.  We have much history that is still remaining, and some that is gone, but a great part of the charm of Webster County is the fact that it has many historic places to visit.

Mollohan’s Mill

Constructed in 1894 on the banks of the Holly River, Mollohan’s Mill was closed in the 1950’s, and restored by the Mollohan family beginning in the 1980’s.  The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in (year), and is today one of the only remaining turbine driven grist mills in the United States, and is complete with the original mill dam.  The mill is featured as one of the attractions along the Mountain Parkway, Byway, and Backway in the northern part of Webster County.

Mountain Parkway, Byway, and Backway

Tracing through the backroads of Northern Webster County, this historic roadway can be accessed on the web by going to www.mountainparkway.com
Webster County Historical Society Museum
This museum, housed in a portion of the home of Dr. John M. McLaughlin, is located on Union Street (ironically enough, the first concrete street in West Virginia, circa 1910.), in Webster Springs.  The house was built in 1894, and the office shortly thereafter.  Dr. McLaughlin was one of the first three physicians in Webster County, and was a widely recognized physician and diagnostician.

Historic Stone

This stone is located on the grounds of the Mineral Springs Motel.  There are carvings in the rock dated back to the 1800’s.

Salt Sulphur Well

Of the Salt Sulphur Wells that made Webster Springs famous, one remains at the corner of Court Square.  The 120 feet deep original well was drilled here in 1937.  Its waters, highly impregnated with hydrogen sulfide gas, were thought to be beneficial for ills of the liver, stomach, kidneys and bladder and were sought for both health and luxury.  The U.S. Secretary of War dedicated this well house as a Veterans Memorial at the 1938 Rhododendron Festival.  

To honor those of Webster County who served in the military, in 2001 the old well house memorial was renovated and a new veterans wall was erected. 

A Stroll Through Webster Springs

While visiting enjoy our Historic Walking Tour.  Brochures with route may be picked up at the Addison Visitor’s Center, Workforce WV Building and other local businesses.  An electronic version of the brochure may be downloaded from this site (It is located under the "Brochures" menu item).

Webster-Addison Public Library offers a Geneology Room with access to many historical documents from the area.

Webster Springs Hotel

Johnson Camden was a Senator and railroader who wanted to bring industry to Webster County.  He built a hotel at Lanes Bottom but soon after in 1896 or so he bought land that is now known as the Hotel Bottom.
John McGraw, also a railroad man and businessman, bought the hotel and was determined to make Addison a tourist town.  McGraw expanded the hotel to 265 rooms between 1903 and 1904.  It was the second largest wooden structure in the state.  The historic sulphur springs helped bring in the tourists from all over.  They arrived via the WV Midland.  In the late teens, automobiles were becoming popular in the larger cities, and the railroad began to decline for tourists.  Both Camden and McGraw passed away before the end of an era would occur.  The hotel burned on July 20, 1925.  It was said that you could see the bright sky as far away as Elkins.  There is an informational sign located on the grounds and the Webster Springs Motel now sits where the old hotel once stood.
Information and photo provided by Mark Romano