Ansted
West Virginia
June 2014
We are driving a 21st century Toyota on a path that was originally carved into the mountains by 18th century bison and pioneers. In 1790, George Washington ordered the trail cleared to allow for travel by stage coach: horses and wheeled vehicles. It was named The Midland Trail. Some time later the trail was cleaned up and smoothed to allow for 21st century Toyotas.
Julia Neale Jackson is buried in Westlake Cemetery right along the Midland Trail, now route US-60. Julia Neale Jackson was Stonewall Jackson’s mom. I can hear it now. “Stoney, you finish your oatmeal. Then you can go out and fight and shoot your gun. First, breakfast!”