Have you ever wondered which park is the smallest state park in West Virginia? If you have, you're not alone... and the answer isn't as simple as it might seem, because it's actually a tie. That's right, there are not one but two smallest state parks in the Mountain State, both coming in at just four acres in size - and both hidden historical gems that are well worth taking time to seek out for a visit, especially since West Virginia is now one of the top travel destinations in the world.
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park is located right on the point of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Kanawha River with the Ohio River. It's a significant location; here, according to the Daughters of the American Revolution, at least, the first battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought between the American citizens and Shawnee Indian leader Chief Cornstalk.
The battle is detailed in mural form along the river walk in Tu-Endie-Wei, as well as memorialized in obelisk form at the center of the park.
This tiny but mighty state park also contains an 18th-century house museum - a log cabin near the obelisk that's open seasonally.
And growing on the edges of the park are magnificent French Oaks, gifts from France via the Merci Train at the conclusion of WWII. In addition to all this history, the riverfront views from the park are stupendous.
Tied with Tu-Endie-Wei as the smallest state park in West Virginia is Fairfax Stone Historical Monument State Park located north of Thomas, West Virginia near the Maryland border.
The Fairfax Stone, originally placed in 1748 by George Washington and David Morgan (it was later replaced with the current stone), marks the source of the Potomac River, the county corner of three West Virginia counties, and, by an extension line drawn directly north of the stone to where it intersects the winding Potomac River again, the boundary between West Virginia and Maryland.
That's quite a significant history for a little park with no bathrooms!
There you have it: the smallest state park in West Virginia, times two! Have you been to visit either Fairfax Stone State Park or Tu-Endie-Wei State Park? What did you think? Let us know in the comments. Be sure to take a trip to several of the most stunning places in West Virginia!
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