Enterprise offers several perspectives on its history: the McIntire Log House, historical markers, and traces of coal mining. The West Fork River Trail adds a different way to explore: the trail offers opportunities for hiking and biking and passes old coke ovens near Enterprise. This lets you choose between architectural and local history or time on the trail for your trip.
Log House and Historical Markers
The McIntire Log House is located in Enterprise, on the West Fork of the Monongahela River in Harrison County. Built in 1773, it was one of the outposts established to protect against attacks by Indigenous peoples. Its construction date and protective function place the log house within the area's early history.
The historical marker for Enterprise was erected in 1964 by the West Virginia Historic Commission. It stands on Hood Avenue (U.S. 19), 0.2 miles south of Enterprise Road (County Road 19/2), on the right side when traveling north. The direction of travel and side of the road are important details for finding it.
Another memorial site is the “In Memory of Jacob Bigler and Elisha Griffith” monument in Enterprise Cemetery. Via Enterprise-Bethlehem Road (County Road 19/28), it lies 0.2 miles south of Laurel Run (County Road 19/27), on the right side when traveling south. The marker and cemetery monument are therefore two distinct points of reference in Enterprise.
Coke Ovens and Local History
A local description from 2023 says that the coke ovens of Enterprise's old coal mine are still visible. It also reports that boxer Jack Dempsey spent several nights there. The coke ovens thus link the coal mine's industrial history with a personal historical episode.
Earlier accounts also offer insight into the local coal industry: A 1901 report described the Fairmont Coal Company's mines near Enterprise as the county's largest coal producers. This is a statement from that historical report. Another place name is also part of Enterprise's history: During the first half of the 20th century, the town was called “The Greenhouse Valley.” Bice’s Greenhouse began operating in 1925 in the Enterprise community outside Shinnston.
Hiking and Biking on the West Fork River Trail
The West Fork River Trail offers opportunities for hiking and biking. Near Enterprise, it passes the old coke ovens. The trail thus combines activity along the route with the area's industrial history. This differs from the focus on the McIntire Log House, where a single historic building and its history take center stage.
A 2011 trail description mentions access to the river and various beaches along the trail, but notes that its information may be outdated. Before your trip, check which access points are currently usable. When planning, you can distinguish between using the trail for hiking or biking and making a possible detour to river or beach access points.
Discover more destinations: Clarksburg, Bridgeport.
For the broader travel overview: Harrison.
