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Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, in the Southeastern portion of the State lies Greenbrier County -- most likely the first tourist destination in the Mountain State. Greenbrier has always been a respite for travelers beginning in the early 18th century when the area encouraged settlements of colonists. Later folks came to "take of the waters" when spas and resorts dotted the countryside. Some even came to experience the relaxation and healing qualities of the bath which still thrives at the county's Greenbrier Hotel. In Greenbrier, heritage is business. National Geographic may have said it best when they described Lewisburg, the county seat, as "a place where summer afternoons are best lulled away with rocking chairs and ice-cold lemonade." Some things just never change. Here, southern towns still surround themselves with the allure of quaint shops and restaurants still inhabiting 18th and 19th century buildings -- as they always have. You'll find me at The Greenbrier. The resort owes its beginnings to sulphur springs that naturally run on its property. (Jefferson even loved it too, as he wrote about the mineral waters back in 1784.) Slowly, The Greenbrier evolved around the springhouse and became the grand resort that it still is today, offering golf, tennis, spa, fine dining, and world-class southern hospitality. Whether you come to The Greenbrier to experience a piece of genteel history, or to enjoy the many leisure activities available, you'll be dazzled (and pampered) by the juxtaposition of gracious hospitality and modern convenience. More than just a resort, The Greenbrier housed a secret until 1992. In that year, it was revealed that deep within the bellows of the hotel, a large congressional bunker was hidden. But, that's another story. Send word to Springfield -- We'd like our Cannon back. Few know that a part of Lewisburg still lies in Springfield, Ohio, much to the citizens' dismay. It happened in May of 1862 during just one of the skirmishes the county experience . . . this one in the village of Lewisburg. Colonel Crook, leading the Union Army, captured the town and took several arms and artillery with him, including an old 12-pounder captured from the British in the Battle of Yorktown. This relic was sent home to Springfield, Ohio, as a memento of the 44th Ohio's first triumph. It never returned. They still harbor our cannon today. Play through History at Oakhurst . . . and leave your clubs at home. Few know golf began in Greenbrier…well, sort of. In 1884, the first organized golf course began -- under no loud fanfare -- here in White Sulphur Springs. You'll find things at Oakhurst haven't changed much since it was established in 1884. Sheep roam and graze freely along the course, and the equipment used is still vintage wooden-shafted, long-nosed clubs. Oh, your tee is a little different, too. You'll find a bucket of sand and a bucket of water at each tee box. You could say they still play by the old rules as well. Up to five clubs are allowed, but they are carried only by hand. In 1884, they even hosted the first golf tournament in the U.S. Now that's golf history. --
by Kimberly Cooper || Order your FREE West Virginia Magazine | Request FREE regional travel information | Greenbrier County Regional Resources | Locator Map | Back to the top | Take me home ||
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