Cass, West Virginia
Inns, Lodges, Resorts
June 2023
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers anglers tapping into the smallmouth bass fishing on the Greenbrier River a chance to step back in history as they pursue their long rod passion. This is especially true for those overnighting for more fishing time.
The town of Cass was founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. This was a “company” town inhabited by loggers working in the surrounding woodlands. Immediately after the town was established, construction began on an 11-mile logging railroad stretching to the top of Bald Knob, the state’s third highest mountain.Later the entire town and rail line were sold to the Mower Lumber Company, which operated them until 1960 when the timber industry collapsed in the region.
At that point the town and railroad were added to the West Virginia State Park System and renovations began on both. Today the train system is run as a scenic rail line by the Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad. Meanwhile the state park refurbished the company houses, which now are available as guest accommodations.
The spacious two-story houses offer 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom configuration, with full kitchens, linen service, bathrooms with showers, televisions, WiFi, propane heating and central air conditioning. These structures are available for rent year-round and accommodate groups of from 2 to 14 individuals. Two are also wheelchair accessible.
Other amenities and attractions within the park, besides the trips on the scenic railroad, are the Cass Historical Museum featuring railroad exhibits and tours of the locomotive shop, along with the Company Store that houses a gift shop and the Shay Restaurant and Soda Fountain. Also offered are guided walking tours of the town and a documentary in the Cass Historic Theater featuring the town’s history and the scenic railroad.
And, of course, you need only walk down to the river to sample the smallmouth bass fishing!
For more details visit the website for Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.
