Carter Cemetery Cache Multi-Cache

The year was 1890 and the railroad was starting to make its way through parts of north-central West Virginia as it followed the Monongalia river to Pittsburgh. Along this newly constructed line was a small mining town near the Marion - Monongalia county border known as Beechwood. Completion of the Monongahela Railroad and discovery of the thick, accessible Pittsburgh coal seam on Scotts Run attracted many large mines and thousands of workers. Monongalia was a leading coal producer for half a century, adding greatly to the economic development of the area, and major production continues today in mines in western Monongalia County.

And like many of the coal mining boom towns in West Virginia at the time, when the mine was emptied so was the town. However, unlike the other towns, all that is left behind at Beechwood is a few remnants. Some coke ovens, some abandoned structures, and of course, Carter Cemetery. While a lot of the information about the town that once was Beechwood still remains unknown, we can learn a lot about these people and their way of life by what they left behind.

To find this cache you will need to make your way to Carter Cemetery along the Mon River Rails to Trails. Parking is available at the Obikiski locks; the round trip hike for this cache is about four miles. While most of it is along flat land with the cemetery being easily accessible from the trail, the final will require a small climb up a steep embankment. Please exercise caution during wet seasons. While placing this cache my GPS was playing havoc on me due to the steep hillside, and while my coordinates seem to be close, please read the hint to ensure a successful hunt.

I hope you enjoy this cache and the unique history attached with it. If you have any more information please put it in your log below and I will be sure to add it to the cache page. Perhaps together we can unravel the lost mysteries of Beechwood WV.