2 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV 24983 - Monroe County

OVERVIEW

One of the most remarkable collections of historic structures in West Virginia, Salt Sulphur Springs is the centerpiece of the Salt Sulphur Springs National Historic District in Monroe County, West Virginia. One of the best-known healing spring resorts in the southeastern U.S., it attracted thousands of guests annually before and after the Civil War, including dignitaries such as presidents Monroe, Madison, and Van Buren. In 1862, it was a headquarters for the Army of the Confederacy.

In its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, the property was declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone in West Virginia, imbued with "a strong sense of place and time when Salt Sulphur ranked as a leading resort in the Upper South".

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

On National Register of Historic Places

Declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone buildings in West Virginia

Rehabilitation Grants and Tax Credits

Legacy historic mineral springs resort dating to circa 1816

Six buildings on the property: The Salt (old stone hotel), The Salt Cottages (2), Stone Chapel, Stone Spring House, Stone Bathhouse

The Salt Stone Chapel will be included in the sale at a price to be determined

1/2 mile frontage on Indian Creek

Three famous springs on property: "Sweet", "Salt Sulphur", and "Iodine"

Sweeping views of West Virginia countryside

On US-219 Scenic Byway

25 miles from The Greenbrier Resort

25 miles to I-64 at Lewisburg jet airport

38 miles to I-77 at Princeton

50 miles to Blacksburg, Va.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.570919(N), -80.571051(W)

Address: 2 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV 24983

Elevation Range: 1801 ft. to 1948 ft. +/-

Driving Times

Towns:

Alderson: 35 minutes

Athens and Concord University: 1 hour 5 minutes

Beckley: 1 hour 20 minutes

Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 1 hour 10 minutes

Charleston, WV: 2 hours

Lewisburg and Osteopathic School of Medicine: 35 minutes

Peterstown: 30 minutes

Princeton: 55 minutes

Union: 5 minutes

Airports:

Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg: 45 minutes

Mercer County Airport, Bluefield: 1 hour 10 minutes

Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley: 1 hour 20 minutes

Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport, Blacksburg, VA: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yeager Airport, Charleston, WV: 2 hours

Recreation:

Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 45 minutes

Bluestone State Park: 50 minutes

Camp Creek State Park & Forest: 1 hour

Fountain Springs Golf Course: 25 minutes

Mill Creek Nature Park Trails, Narrows, VA: 45 minutes

Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem: 55 minutes

State Fair of West Virginia, Fairlea: 35 minutes

Willow Wood Golf Course: 40 minutes

Winterplace Ski Resort, Ghent: 1 hour 15 minutes

HISTORY OF "THE SALT"

"If order, abundant and well prepared fare, excellent bedding, quiet and obliging domestics, impartial and gentlemanly efforts to promote health and comfort, have any influence upon public favor, the proprietors of the Salt Sulphur will certainly secure it". - William Burke

The history of The Salt Sulphur Springs Resort may most firmly be established in 1802, when a spring on Indian Creek was noted to possess medicinal qualities. In 1805, a second spring was discovered. These became the resorts Sweet Sulphur Spring and Salt Sulphur Spring. As a result of the demand for medicinal spring waters among wealthy Southerners, the springs soon attracted visitors.

In 1816, Ervin Benson, who had purchased 500 acres at the site in 1797, hired John Fullen, Sr., of Lexington, Va., to build the first stone building, the present-day Old Stone Hotel. The bathhouse, springhouse, and store building were soon added to meet the demand of an increasing clientele. Benson died before their construction in 1820, when his heirs, brothers-in-law William Erskine and Isaac Caruthers, assumed control of the springs.

In 1823, Erskine and Caruthers promoted the resort with an article in a Richmond, Va., newspaper: "Thanking them for their already liberal patronage, they are happy to inform them that they have erected twenty-four new cabins, large and commodious, together with a special dining and ball room, which will add greatly to the comfort and convenience of their company".

In 1833, a guest from Massachusetts described the resort as similar and yet more peaceful than the nearby White Sulphur Spring, the present site of The Greenbrier: "The house is admirably kept here, and the food is plentiful fare, and the quiet and comfort are a striking contrast to the White Sulphur".

In 1838, construction commenced on what would become the largest building on the property, the Erskine House. It contained 72 guest rooms and quarters for the many slaves who accompanied patrons.

By the outbreak of the Civil War, the springs had become one of the chief resorts on a circuit that included nearby Red Sulphur Springs, Blue Sulphur Springs, White Sulphur Springs, and Old Sweet Springs. Wealthy patrons, most notably from lowland Virginia and the Carolinas, would travel from spring to spring throughout the summer to escape the oppressive heat.

In 1862, General Albert Jenkins commandeered the springs as headquarters for the Eighth Virginia Calvary of the Confederate States Army. Caruthers had died in 1853, and Erskine died in 1863, and little is known of its operation as a resort during that period.

In 1878, after several unsuccessful attempts to restore operations, John Connell of Richmond purchased the property and, by 1880, was able to accommodate 300 guests.

In 1882, Colonel J.W.M. Appleton, of Boston, Mass., was hired as resort manager and brought a spirit of what may be termed a"Yankee initiative" to the operation. He established a telegraph and a stage line to a station on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and activity recovered until 1916 when Appleton was gored by a bull near the Salt Sulphur Springs store.

Following Appletons death, operations at the springs became sporadic. The demand for spas had waned, and in 1936, its existence as a resort ended. In 1963, Dr. Ward Wylie, who had operated the Wyoming General Hospital in Mullens, purchased the property as a home. Wylie died in 1970, and from then until 2023, his daughter, Betty Jacqueline "Betty Jack" Farmer, lived on the property.

"THE SALT" HOTEL

Built between 1816 and 1820, this two-story edifice of native limestone is the most prominent building on the property. This grand structure is reminiscent of the era of Southern mansions and resorts of the antebellum.

The Salt Resort Hotel has, in recent years, been used as a private residence for the Farmer Family. The downstairs today includes a large modern household kitchen that blends in with the parlor, which includes the original fireplace and mantle. A staircase is located on both ends of the hotel to access the upstairs bedrooms and the presidential suite. The grand ballroom fills the majority of the downstairs. The grand ballroom features a tall ceiling height, and the Musicians Gallery box is situated in the far right corner of the room. Access to the Musicians Gallery is from the southern staircase of the building. Also at the south end of the hotel are the grand entrance foyer and staircase. A half bath is located beneath the stairs. On the east end of the building, a smaller wing may predate the main hotel building. A two-story portico with seven columns may have been built during the late 19th or early 20th centuries.

The second floor includes the Salt Library on the left side of the hallway, a bathroom suite, and hotel rooms A and B. The right side of the hall includes the presidential suite and bath, as well as hotel rooms C and D.

The hotels basement level has not been utilized or repaired for many years. The original registration counter has been relocated to the basement.

The Salt Sulphur Springs Hotel is awaiting the new loving owner to restore this trophy property to its full splendor of the bygone days of the 1800s. Although much work stands to be done, the Salt can be a functioning residence and special event business for the owner and innkeeper while repairs and upgrades are completed in modules.

Because the property is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, tax credits and grants for restoration are likely to be available.

Exterior dimensions 75' x 34'.6"

Covered Breezeway 24' x 34'6"

Covered side porch 78'.3" x 10'

FIRST FLOOR

Eat-in Kitchen 24.1 x 16

The Old Salt Fireside Parlor 24.1 x 16.3

Grand Ballroom 41.8 x 32.3

Foyer 10.4 x 30.7

Half bath 3.8 x 7.5

Mezzanine

Landing 10.6 x 4.3

Musicians Gallery 3.11 x 17.2

UPPER LEVEL (Road side)

The Salt Hotel Library 13.6 x 12.9

Bath 16.11 x 12.9 - walk-in closet 3.1 x 7.2

Bedroom A 11.5 X 12.9

Bedroom B 11.7 X 12.9

Hall Landing 8.8 x 12.9

UPPER LEVEL (Resort side)

Presidential Suite 27.1 x 14.1 - Walk-in closet 3.8 x 10.1

Bedroom C 16.3 x 14.1

Bedroom D 21.4 x 14.1

Hallway 70.9 x 6.8

Hallway Cloakroom 6.2 x 4.9

Bath 8.9 x 14.1

"THE SALT" INKEEPER'S RESIDENCE

The Salt Innkeeper's Residence directly adjoins The Salt Hotel but is a stand-alone structure with the same limestone exterior. It is currently not habitable and needs complete interior restoration. The entry-level includes two parlor rooms, a bath suite, and a kitchen. The basement level has a walkout.

The second floor includes two large bedrooms, a bath, walk-in closets, and a passage hallway.

Exterior dimensions 48.9 x 24

Porch 48.9 x 7.10

Patio deck on roadside 8 x 35

FIRST FLOOR

Parlor 21.4 x 20.11

Kitchen 11.5 x 9.10

Dining Area 10 x 9.10

Parlor 10 x 11

Bath 11.1 x 10.8

UPPER LEVEL

Primary Bedroom 21.4 X 20.11

Bath 10.11 x 10.2

Bedroom 10.2 x 20.11

Hall 10.11 x 3.10

Storage Room 5.6 x 6.2

Walk-in Closet 5.1 x 6.2

"THE SALT" COTTAGES

As the Salt Sulphur Springs Resort gained popularity, five Greek Revival style brick cottages were constructed about 1840. Today, two of the five remain in service at the resort. The two remaining cottages are furnished with sweet water from the main spring house, and a septic is in place. Both cottages have metal roofs. The bricks for the cottages were most likely made at the resort or somewhere nearby. The exterior dimensions for the cottages are 38.4 x 33.7, with approximately 2,508 sq. ft. per public records.

THE MADISON

Cottage #1

Address: 149 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV

Cottage #1, The Madison, is the current equestrian directors personal residence. The cottage is a comfortable five-bedroom home with two baths and includes a master bedroom and bath on the entry level. The spacious eat-in kitchen includes oak cabinets with ample storage. The kitchen includes the original fireplace. The front living room parlor includes a fireplace and is an inviting location to read or relax. A utility room is on the back section and includes a washer and dryer hook-up, a 40-gallon A. O. Smith electric water heater, and a 100-amp electric panel. The home is heated by a propane furnace located in the crawl space. A foyer hallway extends the entire length of the downstairs. The Madison Cottage still has 12-light wooden windows in service. The cottage features both oak and heart pine flooring with a beautiful patina.

Traveling up the gentle staircase made of walnut to the upper level, you will find a plex of four bedrooms and a full bath. A hallway divides the center and leads to the inviting balcony.

ROOM SIZES

Entry Level

Master bedroom 13.8 x 14.7

Downstairs bath 9.2 x 7

Hall 4.2 x 9.6

Utility 13.8 x 7

Hall 6.3 x 21

Foyer 7.6 x 10.4

Living room parlor 15 x 15.8

Eat-in kitchen 16.3 x 15.5

Covered front porch 10.9 x 6.11

Upper Level

Bedroom #2 14.4 x 15.6

Bedroom #3 14.4 x 15.7

Bedroom #4 13.9 x 15.6

Bedroom #5 13.9 x 15.7

Hall 8.1 x 25.10

Bath 8.1 x 5.3

Covered balcony 10.9 x 6.7

THE MONROE

Cottage #2

Address: 159 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV

Cottage #2, the Monroe, resembles the adjoining Madison Cottage. This 5 bedroom, 1.5 bath home includes an entry-level bedroom and a half-bath tucked under the staircase. The spacious eat-in kitchen includes attractive handmade repurposed country oak cabinets with ample storage, plus a large maple butcher block island with a sink. The kitchen features a double-sided propane fireplace that it shares with the dining room. The downstairs bedroom is on the back section and includes a washer and dryer hook-up, a 50-gallon A. O. Smith electric water heater, and a 200-amp electric panel. The home is heated and cooled by an American Standard heat pump equipped with a propane furnace in the crawl space. A foyer hallway extends the entire length of the downstairs. The Monroe Cottage has been recently updated with multiple-panes insulated vinyl replacement windows with the easy-clean fold inside feature.

Traveling up the gentle staircase with original finish walnut construction to the upper level is a plex of four bedrooms and a full bath with an extension vanity room section. A hallway divides the upper level in the center and leads to the covered balcony.

ROOM SIZES

Entry Level

Bedroom # 1 13.8 x 14.7

Half bath 3.1 x 5.2

Back entry hall 7.7 x 16.3

Foyer 7.7 x 14.11

Living room parlor 13.11 x 15.7

Eat-in kitchen 14.7 x 15.11

Covered front porch 10.11 x 7.8

Upper Level

Bedroom #2 14.4 x 15.6

Bedroom #3 14.4 x 15.7

Bedroom #4 13.9 x 15.6

Bedroom #5 13.9 x 15.7

Hall 8.1 x 25.10

Bath 8.1 x 5.3

Covered balcony 10.9 x 6.7

"THE SALT" CHAPEL

Stone Chapel

The Chapel at Salt Sulphur Springs was built in the 1830s when the village was a bustling resort famous for its mineral springs. Visitors from far and wide came to take the waters, believing in their healing properties. The church was constructed to serve the local community and the many travelers who flocked to the springs, providing a place of worship and reflection amidst the town's growing reputation as a center for health and rejuvenation. The Chapel will be included in the sale of the Resort at a price to be determined.

A simple yet elegant structure, the church was built from locally quarried limestone and timbers hewn from the surrounding forests. It is a large one-room structure mounted by a wooden belfry and crowned with a pyramidal spire. The entrance from the covered porch showcases great workmanship, as the double entry doors are approximately 10 feet in height. The doors and the casing are beautiful raised panels with wooden peg construction. Its whitewashed walls and modest six over six wavey glass pane windows give it a serene and welcoming presence, a beacon of faith in a rapidly changing world. Inside, the wooden pews creaked under the weight of generations, and the air was often thick with the scent of old hymnals and candle wax.

During the Civil War, the church became a beacon of hope, a place of refuge and solace for those caught in the crossfire of a divided nation. Its walls echoed with the prayers of soldiers and civilians alike, seeking comfort in the face of unimaginable hardship. After the war, the church continued to serve the dwindling community, its bell tolling for weddings, funerals, and Sunday services, a steady rhythm that marked the passage of time.

Today, the church at Salt Sulphur Springs stands as both a historical landmark and a spiritual sanctuary. Its weathered faade and quiet, hallowed interior continue to inspire those who visit, a reminder of the towns storied past and the enduring power of faith. The church may no longer draw the crowds it once did, but it remains a place where history and memory converge, where the echoes of the past mingle with the hopes of the present.

In the stillness of a summer afternoon, with the mountains rising in the distance and the sun casting long shadows across the churchyard, it is easy to imagine the days when Salt Sulphur Springs was a bustling hub of activity. The steadfast and enduring church holds those memories close, a silent guardian of a bygone era, standing watch over the little village.

*Note: The church property is a separate offering from the large Salt Sulphur Resort. Potential buyers are encouraged to consider purchasing the church, which has always been part of the wonderful resort of Salt Sulphur Springs.

Stone building, Circa 1832

Exterior 30.5 x 40.6

Covered front porch 30.5 x 12

OTHER BUILDINGS

Stone Spring House

Built about 1820 near the main entrance and adjacent to the bathhouse, the spring house was used to keep dairy products from spoiling but was not believed to be among the resorts healing springs.

Stone structure

Circa 1820

Exterior 20.8 x 20

Patio 20 x 8

Stone Bathhouse

The bathhouse was built in about 1820, and is approximately 23' x 28'. It may have housed a spa with a series of mineral baths for the immersion of clients.

The Stable

The Resort includes an active equestrian wood-frame stable with 16 stalls, a tack and feed room, a metal roof, electricity, and water. The stable is in the southern part of the resort and is 36 feet wide by 100 feet long. Currently, the stable is used for horses, and a riding ring is active for training.

The Stone Store Building

This building is not part of the sale but is a contributing structure in the national historic district. Built about 1820, the two-story store building is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the district. It was used as a general store in conjunction with the post office commissioned in 1827. This building boasts a two-tier porch that runs the length of its front.