The quality of life we enjoy every day in the Alleghany Highlands would not be possible without the vision and hard work of those who came before us.
We treasure the gifts they left for us – like historic homes and our beloved Humpback Bridge. We also strive to preserve our past, including the region’s role in the American Civil War. Four informative markers are located at historically significant sites to tell the stories of how the Alleghany Highlands was profoundly touched by the war. Our region is especially proud of its extensive railroad heritage. Not only does the Alleghany Highlands have a working railyard and an Amtrak passenger station, it’s also home to the C&O Railway Heritage Center where you can get a hands-on experience with an old-fashioned signal tower, restored rail cars and more.
The Alleghany Historical Society was formed June 26, 1958 with 231 charter members. The Society has continually been active in the Community since that time and resides in the restored 1908 C&O Covington Passenger Depot. Our mission is to preserve the history of the Alleghany Highlands and continue to educate the citizens about the history of our area. Open Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 until 4 p.m.
Alleghany Historical Society at the Covington C&O Depot
The Alleghany Historical Society was formed June 26, 1958 with 231 charter members. The Society has continually been active in the Community since that time and has recently moved into the newly restored 1908 C&O Covington Passenger Depot.Our mission is to preserve the history of the Alleghany Highlands and continue to educate the citizens about the history of our area.We are currently operate in two historic Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad passenger stations. The first, and most recently renovated, was originally completed in 1890 and is available for rent for special events. Please contact us for more details. The larger of the two structures was completed originally in 1908, and today houses our archives, research library, and primary exhibit area. Whether you are a history buff, researcher of geneology, or casual passer-by, we are more than happy to help with further information on the Alleghany Highlands of today or yester-year. Please come see us!
The C&O Heritage Center offers a multi-dimensional railroad heritage experience that tells the story of the C&O Railway from its beginning in 1836 to today's CSX. Come spend and afternoon watching trains from the signal tower, tour the museum and equipment, ride the Little C&O, blow the whistle, or sit down beside the pot belly stove in the replica passenger station and play a game of checkers.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society is proud to offer The C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge. This Center is a railway heritage museum, interpretive, educational, and visitor's center that tells the story of the C&O Railway: the people, the places, and the technology. The story is the essential American tale of how our nation grew, how we lived and worked, and how we were all connected together by twin rails of steel. The purpose of this center is also to honor the memory and contribution of all the railroaders who built the railroads that allowed our nation to prosper, and all those railroaders who continue to keep America moving by rail.Features: - 1896 Freight Depot Visitor's Center - Replica Signal Tower for Train Watching - 1922 Gadsby's Tavern Dining Car - Restored C&O Cabooses - 7 1/2 Inch Gauge Ride-On Train - Large Scale Locomotive Models - 96 Foot O-Gauge Layout - C&O China and Chessie Displays
The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society is a non-profit corporation dedicated to interpreting the American Railway experience using C&O Railway's history through drawings, documents, and artifacts which the Society collects, preserves, and makes available to as broad an audience as possible.
Outdoor Photography Venue for Special Times.This beautiful, private property is located in Falling Springs area of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia. This property came to the current owners with the prior owner saying “I’m giving you the property but selling you the view”.To that point, it was this stunning view that has kept this family here. The vantage points for outdoor photography were enhanced for our daughter's wedding, from the terrace, the overall landscaping as well as the addition of a wedding platform which showcases the view down the valley for photos.We encourage you to look at the various photos on our website to see if this venue fits your dream photography site, be this for family, marriage proposal, engagement, bridal or day-of wedding portraits. Photography opportunities are four-seasons, with beautiful leafing out of color in the spring, flowers and greens of the summer, autumn colors splashing across the mountains in the fall, and the occasional snow in the winter.If interested, please use the “Contact Us” form on our website to share information relevant to a desired photo session. We'd be honored to be a part of such special, lasting memories for you and your family!
The City of Clifton Forge is in western Virginia nestled in the Allegheny Mountains at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley and west of the Blueridge Parkway. The population is approximately 4,679. CSX Transportation's "mountain rail line" passes through Clifton Forge which has a rich railroad history. The City is home to the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center, The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society and The Stonewall Theater. Douthat State Park is just 7 miles from the city.
The Covington Depot houses the Alleghany Historical Society - The first depot in the Alleghany Highlands, and most recently renovated, was originally completed in 1890 and is now available for rent for special events. It is a newly restored 1908 C&O Covington Passenger Depot.
The City of Covington is in western Virginia along the Allegheny Mountains at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley and west of the Blueridge Parkway. Joining with the City of Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Bath County and Highland County, the area is promoted as Virginia's Western Highlands. Covington is accessible via Interstate 64 and U. S. Route 220. The population is approximately 6,991. The city is designated as a "Virginia Certified Business Location" and a "Virginia Accredited Tourism Community."
This exhibit focuses on the work of area photographers working in traditional film and/or digital imaging and is open to the public November 27th - December 28th 2020.
Humpback Bridge is the only covered, humpback bridge remaining in the United States. It's also a cherished landmark, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where residents and visitors alike gather for picnics, photos or simply to admire her beauty and craftsmanship.The bridge was constructed in 1857, and the design of the bridge, to be covered and arched, was to increase its longevity and keep the midpoint above flood waters. This nearly 110 foot structure was built with a broad axe and put together with hand hewed locust pins. The bridge was used for vehicular traffic on Route 60 (Midland Trail) until 1929. In 1953, The Covington Business and Professional Woman's Club, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the area residents restored the bridge. Three eras of transportation history can be seen at this site: the old road crossing Humpback Bridge, the new state highway bridge on Route 60 (Midland Trail) and the CSX railroad bridge.Fans of covered bridges come from all over the world to admire the historic Humpback Bridge. It has been lovingly preserved and is now part of a five-acre wayside park. It's uniquely Alleghany.
Ridgely Gardens is a mountainside property overlooking the historic town of Clifton Forge, Virginia. Beginning in 1902, this two-acre privately-owned garden property was gradually carved into the steep southern face of Fore Mountain in the highlands of Alleghany County. Stone walks, steps, walls, and ponds combined with old boxwood hedges, and defined flowerbeds give the garden structure, dimension and a distinct mountainside ambience.
Circa 1905, originally an opera house and Masonic Lodge in the downtown historic district of Clifton Forge, VA, the Historic Masonic Theatre is Virginia's oldest continuously operating Theatre. On July 1, 2016, the Historic Masonic Theatre opened its doors to the public once again after a 6.5 million dollar renovation. A movie theatre and a performing arts venue, the four story building has a state of the art auditorium, an underground cafe and lounge area, a balcony with seating and conference room and an upper level ballroom suitable for wedding receptions and gatherings. The Theatre's history includes performances bythe world famous Count Basie Orchestra, appearances by Tex Ritter, Lash LaRue, and Cowboy Bob Steele and political speaker William Jennings Bryan.
