CLIFFTOP, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia’s iconic Babcock State Park is located within the former coal town of Clifftop in Fayette County. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, history, recreation, and the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill.
The park covers an area of over 4,100 acres and offers visitors a range of recreational activities and opportunities to connect with nature.
The history of Babcock State Park dates back to the early 20th century. Before becoming a state park, the acreage encompassing Babcock was cut bare.
The untouched woods were prime for timbering in the early 20th century. Coal and timber were king here with a narrow gauge railway being the heartbeat of nearby Clifftop and Landisburg.Â
In the 1930s, the park was established as the Clifftop Recreational Area by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a work relief program during the Great Depression. The CCC built many of the park’s infrastructure, including trails and picnic areas.
The iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill, built in 1976, was reconstructed from a historical mill that had once stood in the area.
The park was later renamed Babcock State Park in honor of Edward V. Babcock, who owned the nearby Landisburg sawmill and coal mines in Clifftop. He donated the land to the state for the establishment of a public park.
Babcock was a strong advocate for preserving the natural beauty of the region and wanted to provide a space where people could enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.
Today, Babcock State Park continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visitors can explore the park’s numerous hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding forests and waterfalls.
The Glade Creek Grist Mill, which is operational in the summer and fall is a top location for photography enthusiasts.
The park also offers a campground and multiple cabins. Fishing and paddle boating are popular activities on the park’s Boley Lake.
Babcock State Park is now connected with America’s newest national park, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
The former narrow gauge railway that traversed through the park is now a trail that leads to the ghost town of Sewell in the New River Gorge.
The above video is an excerpt from a 1935 documentary promoting CCC projects from across the state.