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George Washington Trail In West Virginia
SITE III:
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S CAVE -- JEFFERSON COUNTY
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The signature is faintly carved in a back room -- G.Washington, 1748. There's doubt about its authenticity although the signature was noted as early as 1833 and two similar signatures appear in other Virginia caves.
Tradition has it that the large three-room cave was the first Masonic meeting place west of the Blue Ridge. Samuel and John Augustine Washington were among a group of Masons who bought the cave in 1773 and in 1844 there was a major Masonic celebration there. For a few years in the late 1920s, the cave was a commercial venture complete with a free tour for every hot dog purchased. Today, permission is needed to squeeze past the barred door and descend the stone stairs into the spacious main room with its flowstone mounds. Stooping is required to enter the back room where an alcove houses the famous signature.
DIRECTIONS:
- US340 south of Charles Town. Left onto SR36, Old Cave Rd. Unmarked trail just off the road about 70 yds. to cave. Marked by a sign: Welcome to George Washington Cave.
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