A Peek into Summers County’s Past: The Woodson House

TALCOTT W.Va. (Hinton news) - This is the Woodson House that sat on the east end of the John Henry Historic Park. It was built in 1775. The Historic Graham House was built in 1770, so this residence was constructed only 5 years later. Making it one of the earliest homesteads in Summers County. Both sat very near the Greenbrier River, which was a main point of reference, travel, hunting and fishing for that time in our history.

It was raised and moved to a new location some years ago. The original family who built the home faced many of the same issues as the Graham Family did, from murder, Indian raids and other common happenings of that time. The house was quite different from others during that time. For instance, it had no windows when it was first built, and had a full-size basement under the main house, which is still visible near the Woodson House signage now on display in the park.

The house was built with various gun ports in the log walls and the basement, to more safely defend oneself from Indian attacks. While tearing it down to relocate it, several arrowheads were discovered buried down into the popular logs the home was built from and burn marks showed where it is believed Indians tried to set fire to the house.

The log house had to be removed once the railroad completed the construction of the tunnel; it had to be relocated for the track to lead to the tunnel. J. W. Gillispie bought the old log house and hired D.E. Miller of Talcott, who was considered one of the best in his line of work, to relocate it.

This was a historic home, and Gillispie wanted to save it due to its history in the valley. He also had an attachment to it as it had belonged to and was lived in by his grandparents for many years. It was the closest home to the site of the construction of the Big Bed Tunnel. So, the Woodsen family got pretty acquainted with the construction crew as they would pass by on their way to and from the work site.

W.L. Gillispie was a relative of Mr Gillispie and was an assistant to the civil engineer and master mechanic of the new tunnel, Davy Tucker. While the home was being relocated, Mr. Gillispie uncovered many early newspapers that had been placed on the walls to be used as insulation. One of which dated as early as 1810, one he found especially touching was from 1874 and announced the marriage of his parents.

I do not remember the exact connection, but my late friend and fellow Summers County historian John Kessler had always talked about how he felt the need for the Woodson House to be recognized in the park. This home was especially important to him because it had been in his family in some fashion.

The John Henry Historic Park has done a great job of paying tribute to all of the historic sites within the park, both railroad-related and private. My grandfather, Bernard L. Thompson, who was born in 1927 and who grew up at the mouth of Penny Lane in Talcott, always talked about the “Gypsy Camp” and the “Hobo Camp” that was located within the park. The other photo you see besides the sine in the park is an uncommon photo of the Woodson House.

Both of which were located within the proximity of the old Thompsons Garage. The Romani would camp in this location during the summer months and would make the porch furniture; the bentwood settees, chairs, tables and other furniture that are painted white and found on many porches in this area, especially during the 1920s and 30s were more than likely made by the Romani camping in Talcott.

The other was the Hobo Campsite, which was located in the same vicinity. Grandad could remember as a young child the individuals would catch a ride on the train, whether it would be on top of a coal car or inside a box car. They would get off the train and make camp in this location.

One thing that especially stood out to Granddad is they would go around from house to house “buming” food. But they would never come to your front door seeking anything to eat. It was an unspoken rule that they would only come to your back door. The people in the community got used to them and would pass their leftovers out the back door to them. “They did not ever bother anyone,” Granddad would finish his story by saying.

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