Quality of Life - Every Day is a Beautiful Day here in Greenbrier County!
Greenbrier Valley's unexploited scenic beauty charms everyone who calls it home - a place where people instantly feel they belong and a great place to raise a family.
Set in an area rich in history and natural beauty, amid flowing rivers, lush forests and the alluring Allegheny Mountains, lies the Greenbrier Valley. From the rugged mountains of the west to th
e broad savannahs of the east, the area offers an unparalleled quality of life - known far and wide as one of the most attractive of West Virginia's 55 beautiful counties.
Surrounding the small towns of the Greenbrier Valley is an unexploited scenic beauty that captivates everyone who calls it home and a place they quickly feel they belong. In an area where residents emanate a warm acceptance as though you've been living there for generations, the Greenbrier Valley offers a remote haven from bustling metropolitan life, yet remains accessible to the amenities of city living.
To the east is the county seat of Lewisburg - a city that has come to be known as a place for history buffs of all ages, where the steeple clock still tolls the hour and the church bells ring out on Sunday mornings.
As more people discover the Greenbrier Valley, many are deciding to put down roots (there were 1,303 second homes reported in Greenbrier County, according to the 2000 census). Some find an undefinable magic here while others embrace the serene gentleness and know that it is a great place to live and raise a family. Still others look to the future and base business operations here, confident in the knowledge that their employees will lead rich and fulfilling lives in the Greenbrier Valley.
Greenbrier County is proud of its past but looks to its future. The county has a fine airport with excellent connections to metropolitan eastern United States. The completion of Interstate 64 in 1987 could well be as great a stimulus to business growth as the railroad was in 1869. Beautiful countryside, clean environment, a low crime rate, reasonable property taxes, excellent medical facilities, varied cultural activities and active civic and service organizations are just a few of the many favorable aspects of life in Greater Greenbrier County today, as well as reasons for confidence in the county's future.
Cultural Activities
From drama and the arts to fairs and festivals, the Greenbrier Valley has something for everyone. Below is a sampling of the multitude of enriching experiences to be had:
Greenbrier Valley Theatre www.gvtheatre.org
113 E. Washington St., Lewisburg, WV 24901
For 37 years, Greenbrier Valley Theatre has enjoyed the support of a loyal community whose nurturing has developed a vigorous, professional organization with a vision to establish GVT as a significant regional performing theatre.
Housed in a new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Lewisburg, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre is currently offering year-round performances, including musicals, comedies, children's theater, classical and modern dramas, and original works. The Greenbrier Valley Theatre has provided stirring summer seasons of repertory theater, working extensively with professional directors and amateurs alike and sponsoring an active drama club for students who stage their own productions each year. For more information, call 304-645-3838.
Carnegie Hall www.carnegiehallwv.com
105 Church St., Lewisburg, WV 24901
Built in 1902 as part of the Greenbrier College for Women as a gift from Andrew Carnegie, the hall presents diverse performing arts series and has a museum, art galleries, dance and art studios and classes in pottery and weaving.
Carnegie Hall was incorporated in 1983 as a regional not-for-profit arts and education center. Today, the cultural center annually serves more than 75,000 patrons with live performances by outstanding companies and artists from around the world, award-winning arts in education programming, classes and workshops, fine art exhibits, an independent film series and more!
Fairs/Festivals
The State Fair of West Virginia is staged in Greenbrier County, attracting nearly 220,000 people every year. The fair has earned honors as the nation's best "small fair" in the categories of livestock exhibits and live entertainment. The fairground's facilities are also used for livestock sales, horse shows, recreational vehicle rallies, antique shows and sporting events. Other county festivals include The Ronceverte River Festival, White Sulphur Spring's Dandelion Festival, T.O.O.T. Food Festival in Lewisburg, the Frankford Autumn Festival and the July 4th Celebration in Alderson.
Libraries
There are seven libraries with more than 100,000 volumes serving Greenbrier County with books and a wealth of other programs for readers of all ages. An efficient interlibrary loan system affords residents access to any public or academic library in West Virginia through their local library.
Sports Programs
The county's first YMCA was chartered in 2003 and has initiated a variety of recreational programs. Soccer, softball, Little League baseball and tennis are among the activities offered for children, while adults have the opportunity to utilize health clubs with the latest equipment and aerobic classes. Few know golf began in Greenbrier County -at least on this side of America. Without fanfare, the first organized golf course was established in White Sulphur Springs in 1884. Today, you can still play the original course, where sheep roam freely and keep the links "mowed" and in tip-top shape. Duffers can leave their clubs and tees at home as they take to the course at Oakhurst with replica equipment, gutta-percha balls and buckets of sand and water - all included in the greens fee.
Parks & Recreation
The Greenbrier River Valley is a popular destination for outdoor adventurers, as well as photographers from around the world who have traveled to the area to record the natural wonders of our mountains lakes and streams. The beautiful Greenbrier River flows through the eastern part of the county providing leisure opportunities for fishermen, canoeists and swimmers alike.
Thousands of acres of state and national forests attract campers, hikers, hunters and naturalists, while limestone caverns offer varying challenges for the experienced spelunker or casual sightseer.
Below is a list of the various recreation areas and outdoor activities available in Greenbrier County:
Monongahela National Forest - Nearly 100,000 acres of this 800,000-acre forest are located in Greenbrier County. A U.S. Forest Service visitor center in White Sulphur Springs provides information on the forest's facilities. Call 304-536-2144.
Greenbrier State Forest - Located near Exit 175 on I-64, this 5,130-acre area offers camping sites, cabins, picnic shelters, hiking trails, scenic overlooks on Kates's Mountain and a swimming pool. Call 304-536-1944.
Calvin Price State Forest - Located 30 miles north of Lewisburg on US 219, the area has 9,482 acres for public hunting and fishing on the Greenbrier/Pocahontas County line and borders Watoga State Park, which provides a wide variety of recreational amenities on its own 10,000 acres.
Greenbrier River Hike & Bike Trail - Spanning 76 miles along the west bank of the Greenbrier River from Cass in Pocahontas County to Caldwell in Greenbrier County, the trail is a former C&O railroad bed that parallels the river and is a favorite of hikers and mountain bikers.
Cranberry Back Country - These 53,000 acres of wilderness area in Greenbrier, Webster, Nicholas and Pocahontas counties include 75 miles of trails for serious backpackers, as well as cross country skiing, hunting, trapping and fishing. Most of the area is closed to motorized traffic.
Beartown State Park - Located 23 miles north of Lewisburg on US 219, this park has 107 acres with unusual rock formations amid beautiful forestland and a boardwalk that traverses the area providing breathtaking views.
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area - Camp sites, hiking trails, swimming areas, boating and fishing are available at this 165-acre lake near Neola on Route 92.
Blue Bend Recreation Area - Near Alvon just off Route 92, this area has camp sites, hunting, fishing and interpretive hiking trails.
Fishing/Hunting - Greenbrier County is an angler's paradise, and thousands of acres abound with deer, turkey, bear, grouse and rabbit for public hunting. The Greenbrier River offers some of the best bass fishing in the country, and the state stocks the streams for year-round fishing. Many streams, some of which are designated for fly fishing only, contain native trout. There are also extended seasons for bow and muzzle loading hunters, while many landowners extend hunting privileges to responsible and respectful hunters. For West Virginia hunting and fishing regulations, call the Chamber of Commerce at 800-833-2068 or 304-645-1000.
Spelunking - With more than 1,000 caves, Greenbrier County offers two excellent commercial caves - Lost World Caverns and Organ Cave - that provide tours for both casual visitors and serious spelunkers.
Bicycling - The backroads of the Greenbrier River Valley are lightly traveled, winding through unspoiled countryside. Covered bridges, babbling creeks, blossoming meadows and wild game are examples of the many sights to soak in. The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau has maps and other information on bicycling in the area.
Canoeing/Kayaking/Whitewater Rafting - There are several companies that rent canoes, provide drop-off/ pick-up service, guides and fishing gear for those interested in a scenic journey on the Greenbrier River, while the nearby New River affords visitors excellent rafting.
Golf - The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs and Hawthorne Valley at Snowshoe Mountain Resort offer championship courses, while additional courses can be found at the Lewisburg Elks Country Club, Greenbrier Hills in Rainelle, Willowood near Alderson and Valley View and Oakhurst in Sulphur Springs.
Skiing - Ski season runs from mid-November through mid-April, with Snowshoe Mountain Resort boasting first-rate slopes. When there is sufficient snowfall, the Greenbrier River Trail and Cranberry Back Country provide excellent areas for cross-country skiing.
For more details on these and other recreational activities, call The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-833-2068.
Whether you are looking to relocate, start a new business, or simply want to embark on a fun get-away, the Greenbrier Valley is sure to impress with its beautiful, peaceful and historic attributes.
