Cannon Hill played an integral role in the Civil War. The hill was
fortified with cannons to protect the main line of the B & O
Railroad. The Union troops and railroad workers of the town turned
back the raid of General W.E. Jones and the Confederate Calvary
(6th, 7th, 11th, and 12th Virginia Calvary). For a more in-depth
history of Cannon Hill, please click on this
link for an
article by James E. Weaver, Jr.
An American flag marks the location of Cannon Hill. It can be
viewed by looking high above the the Cheat River across from the
Rowlesburg Town Park.
The Cannon Hill Civil War Memorial site was donated to the
Rowlesburg Area Historical Society by the Shaver family.
To access Cannon Hill, you will need to take the bridge across
the Cheat River in Rowlesburg. You will continue on this road (Salt
Lick Road) until you come to another large bridge that overlooks
the railroad yard. Prior to crossing the bridge (Charles B. Felton
Bridge), a road branches off to the left. Take this road and travel
to the following parking coordinates (N 39 degrees 21.573’ and W
079 degrees 39.039’).
To the left of this parking spot is a red gate. The Rowlesburg
Area Historical Society invites hikers to walk around the gate to
access Cannon Hill. The trip up the gravel road to Cannon Hill will
take approximately 30 minutes if you walk briskly. The road can be
quite steep and climbs over 400 feet from the parking coordinates
to the top. The climb is somewhat difficult, but the view from
Cannon Hill is worth the effort.
The cache is located in a clear plastic container and the
original contents included marbles, fossilized shark teeth,
"jewels", and water pistols. In addition, a Suncatcher Geocoin was
placed in the cache.
For more information about the historic town of Rowlesburg,
please click on this link:
Rowlesburg Revitalization
Committee .
