Exploring the history of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, is like walking through a living timeline of the American frontier, the Civil War, and the evolution of luxury tourism. As one of the oldest counties in the state (formed in 1778), its heritage is deeply woven into the Appalachian landscape.

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1770–1780: Frontier Courage & County Formation

The early 1770s were defined by grit and conflict. Settlers faced intense Shawnee resistance, culminating in the Battle of Point Pleasant (1774), where many Greenbrier men fought.

• Key Milestone: In March 1778, Greenbrier County was officially carved out of Botetourt and Montgomery counties, Virginia.

• Fort Donnally Attack (1778): A legendary siege where Dick Pointer, an enslaved man, helped save the settlers from a surprise attack.

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  1780–1790: The Birth of Lewisburg

With the Revolutionary War ending, the focus shifted to permanent civil life.

• Lewisburg Incorporated (1782): The county seat was formally established and named for General Andrew Lewis.

• Old Stone Church (1796): While the current stone structure was finished later, the congregation’s roots took deep hold in this decade as the center of community life.

  

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1790–1800: The Great Divide

The county was initially massive. This decade saw the first major administrative shift.

• Monroe County Formation (1799): Greenbrier County was split to form Monroe County, establishing the southern border we know today

  

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1800–1810: Pioneering Education

Lewisburg became a cultural hub. In 1808, Reverend John McElhenney and his wife Rebecca opened the first school in their home. This eventually evolved into the Lewisburg Academy, marking the beginning of the county’s reputation as a center for higher learning.

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1810–1820: The Turnpike Connection

The James River and Kanawha Turnpike began to stretch through the county. This early “interstate” brought commerce, travelers, and the first wave of elite visitors seeking the “healing waters” of the local springs.

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1820–1830: The Rise of White Sulphur Springs

While the springs were known since the late 1700s, this decade saw the transition from rugged cabins to a sophisticated resort. The elite of Virginia began flocking to White Sulphur Springs to escape the summer heat of the coast.

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1830–1840: The Golden Age of the Springs

Grand hotels and “cottage rows” were built. This era solidified Greenbrier’s status as a playground for U.S. Presidents and Southern aristocracy, creating an early tourism economy that persists to this day.

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1840–1850: Political Tensions & Expansion

As national debates over slavery and statehood simmered, Greenbrier remained a prosperous agricultural and travel hub. The population grew as more farmers settled the fertile Limestone plateau.

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1850–1860: The Agricultural Fair Beginnings

In 1854, the Greenbrier Agricultural Society was formed. This led to the first annual fair, a precursor to today’s massive State Fair of West Virginia.

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1860–1870: Civil War & West Virginia Statehood

A decade of turmoil. Greenbrier was primarily Confederate-leaning, but found itself part of the new state of West Virginia in 1863.

• Battle of Lewisburg (1862): A sharp urban conflict where Union forces successfully defended the town.

  

• Battle of White Sulphur Springs (1863): A rare Confederate victory in the region.

  

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1870–1880: The Iron Horse Arrives

The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway reached Greenbrier County. This changed everything—timber and coal could now be shipped at scale, and the resort at White Sulphur Springs became accessible to the entire world.

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1880–1890: Industrial Boom & Incorporation

Towns like Ronceverte were incorporated (1882) as the timber industry exploded. The sound of saws and steam whistles replaced the quiet clip-clop of horses.

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1890–1900: The Greenbrier Ghost

In 1897, the infamous trial of Edward Shue occurred. This remains the only known legal case where “testimony from a ghost” (the victim, Zona Heaster Shue) was used to secure a murder conviction.

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1900–1910: The Hardwood Capital

The Meadow River Lumber Company was founded in Rainelle (1906). It would eventually grow into the world’s largest hardwood sawmill, processing the massive ancient forests of the region.

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1910–1920: The Great War & Resort Luxury

While the county sent men to WWI, The Greenbrier resort was purchased by the C&O Railway and rebuilt into the massive, white-pillared landmark we see today.

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1920–1930: The Roaring Twenties

Modernity hit the mountains. Electricity, paved roads, and the first automobiles transformed daily life in Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs.

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1930–1940: The New Deal & The CCC

The Great Depression hit hard, but the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built parks and forest infrastructure that still exist today, providing jobs for local men.

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1940–1950: The War Effort

During WWII, The Greenbrier was converted into Ashford General Hospital, treating over 24,000 wounded soldiers. It also served as an internment center for Axis diplomats.

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1950–1960: The Secret Bunker

In 1958, construction began on a massive underground bunker at The Greenbrier. It was designed to house the entire U.S. Congress in the event of a nuclear war—a secret kept for over 30 years.

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1960–1970: Interstate 64

The construction of I-64 made the county more accessible than ever, shifting the economy from local transit to regional tourism and commerce.

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1970–1980: The Decline of Rail

As timber and coal shipments slowed, many rail lines were abandoned. This led to a period of economic adjustment but set the stage for future recreation.

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1980–1990: The Greenbrier River Trail

In 1985, the abandoned C&O rail bed was converted into the Greenbrier River Trail. It became a cornerstone of WV outdoor tourism.

• The Flood of 1985: A catastrophic flood that caused massive damage across the county.

  

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1990–2000: Modern Preservation

The 90s saw a surge in historic preservation. Lewisburg was increasingly recognized as one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America,” blending its 18th-century roots with modern boutiques and galleries.

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2000–2010: National Recognition

The county became a premier destination for golf and high-end dining, while the Greenbrier River Trail was named a Millennium Legacy Trail.

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2010–2020: The Thousand-Year Flood

In June 2016, a devastating flood struck, particularly hitting White Sulphur Springs and Rainelle. The community’s resilience and recovery efforts defined the latter half of the decade.

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2020–2026: Resilience & Growth

Today, Greenbrier County continues to thrive as a hub for the arts, outdoor adventure, and world-class hospitality. It remains a rare place where you can stand in a 200-year-old church and see the future of West Virginia’s economy.

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Looking for more local history? You might want to visit the North House Museum in Lewisburg to see artifacts from these eras firsthand!

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Greenbrier County History FAQ

1. When was Greenbrier County, WV formed? It was formed in March 1778 from Botetourt and Montgomery counties.

2. Who is the Greenbrier Ghost? Zona Heaster Shue, whose 1897 murder trial in Lewisburg is the only one known to accept “ghost testimony.”

3. What is the oldest church in Lewisburg? The Old Stone Presbyterian Church, built in 1796, is the oldest church building in continuous use west of the Alleghenies.

4. External Link: Link to the North House Museum or the West Virginia Encyclopedia.