PRIORITIES

6.36.2

The Midland Trail Association has been very active the past fewyears with projects that intend to preserve, interpret, develop,and manage the Midland Trail. Before we look at the priorities forthe future, let’s pause to examine our accomplishments and pro-jects in progress.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Strategies and projects described inthis Corridor Management Plan includeinput from public and private groups andindividuals from all along the Trail.

In September 1998, the Associationheld three publicized open houses, one ineach of the Trail’s segments, and invitedthe public to express its desires and opin-ions as to development, preservation,interpretation, and management of Trailresources, qualities, land, views, businessopportunity and growth, heritage, and his-toric buildings. The Kanawha Countymeeting was held at Malden, the FayetteCounty meeting at Hawks Nest StatePark, and the Greenbrier County meetingat Lewisburg.

Meetings were informal, and consist-ed of a presentation of the intention for aPlan. Attendees were asked to describetheir “wish lists” for the Trail in their areafor the next 20 years. Discussion wouldalways begin with a certain town/areanear the western border of the relevantcounty, and proceed eastward, one townor area at a time; participants discussedintrinsic qualities, problems, solutions tothose problems, and desired projects.

Participation is ongoing, continuingto the time of this writing. Although theAssociation’s board meetings are for busi-ness, meetings frequently include inputfrom members and non-member guestsalike.

PROJECTS:PROJECTS: Accomplished and CurAccomplished and Currrentent

MAJOR PROJECTSACCOMPLISHED

Our top accomplishment: designationin 1992 as a State Scenic Byway.

1. A strong broad community-basedorganization has developed. InFebruary 1996, the Midland Trail reor-ganized and from that point the orga-nization has grown, met quarterly andaccomplished many projects.

* 2. Placement of brown information-al mile-markers, informational “TravelInfo” signs, and directional/informa-tional signs to tourist attractions.

3. Established three non-profit com-munity-based Official Visitor Centers.Centers are located in Malden, GauleyBridge, and Lewisburg.

4. Kids’ Trek. Recreated 365-mile walkof 8-year-old Booker T. Washingtonand his family as a team of adults andhigh school students walked from theBurroughs Plantation in Virginia tofreedom in Malden,WV and then onto the State Capitol for the officialWV Celebration and a welcome fromGovernor Underwood. U.S. Secretaryof Transportation Rodney Slater wasalso represented.

* 5. “A Fresh Start” Village. Built the“Salt Village” in Malden, which recre-ates the boyhood home of Booker T.Washington and interprets the worka-day environment and living conditionsof the post-Civil War African -American salt-worker and embodiesor helps teach children aboutBooker’s values.

Collaboration and ReviewCollaboration and ReviewLOCAL GOVERNMENT

JURISDICTIONS

The Midland Trail passes throughthree county government jurisdic-tions: Kanawha, Fayette, andGreenbrier. Each county and incorpo-rated town within the county isresponsible for providing services toits own residents and businesses.

Incorporated communities alongthe Trail are as follows:

Kanawha County:CharlestonBelleCedar Grove

Fayette County:MontgomeryGauley BridgeSmithersAnsted

Greenbrier County:RainelleRonceverteLewisburgWhite Sulphur Springs

6. A Destination Guide, “We Have It All”,published and distributed beginningOctober 1998. Contains 64 full-colorpages of photos, advertising, and text toexplain and interpret the Trail’s heritageand amenities. Covers from Charleston toWhite Sulphur Springs.

7. Creation of a Web-site, with a MidlandTrail address designation, which links alladvertisers and supporters of theDestination Guide with the Midland Trailsite. At this writing, the site is loggingover1000 hits per month.

8. Publicity piece in Spring 1999 WestVirginia Quarterly magazine.

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS

* 1. Interpretive and informational kiosks.The Association is currently working toestablish kiosks at three sites along theTrail.

2. An interpretive and informational vis-itor’s history audio tape for the carstereo. Called “Stagecoach Stops”, thisaudio tape covers the Trail and is a com-panion to the Destination Guide. Coversthe history of the Trail itself and highlightsthe towns and industries along the way.

* 3. Determination of pull-offs. Grantmoney has already been allocated todetermine 3 pull-off areas for scenic view-ing.

* 4. Interpretive videos. The Associationhas contracted with WV UniversityInstitute of Industrial History,Technology,and Archaeology, (WVUIIHTA) to pro-duce interpretive videos of the Trail.

* Funded in full or in part by USDOT and WVDOT

6.56.4

Schedule of Project Responsibilities and Recommended Projects

Mid

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Legend◆ Lead▼ Secondary Time

Frame

Priorities

I. Management Team

XI. Industrial HistoryProgram

IX. Bicycles

VIII. Rural Roads &Rivers Center

VII. Byways Study Center

VI. Scenic CharacterEnhancements

V. Strengthening Image

IV. Extending Trail

III. Marketing

II. Partnership Building

SS MM

SS MM LL

SS MM LL

SS MM

SS MM

MM LL

MM LL

SS MM LL

SS MM

SS

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▼▼ ▼ ▼▼

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▼▼▼

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MTSHA Board of Directors will receive Quarterly Progress Reviews of CMP Priorities from appropriate committees attheir regular meetings, with reports to participating agencies and organizations, as appropriate.

SS Short Term (1 year)MM Medium Term 2-5 Yrs) LL Long Term (6-10 Yrs)

◆

◆ ▼▼

▼▼

▼

▼

TTop Eleven Priorities of the Midland Top Eleven Priorities of the Midland Trail rail

1. Build the Midland Trail organization with a strong management team.

II. Build partnerships among Trail businesses, governments, and organizations.

III. Marketing the Midland Trail.

IV. Western Extension to the Kentucky border.

V. Strengthening the Trail’s identity.

VI. Enhance the Trail’s scenic qualities.

VII. Create a Byways Study Center.

VIII. Rural Roads and Visitor Center at Hico.

IX. Bicycle program for the Trail and Trail region.

X. Create centralized management and marketing for historic properties in Eastern Kanawha County.

XI. Interpretive program for industrial heritage.

X.Eastern KanawhaManagement Program S

S MM ◆ ◆ ▼ ▼ ◆

Several of the priority projects of the Midland Trail Association have been "on theburner" since the mid l990's.These projects have simmered and have been incor-porated into the organizations planning process. Some are presently underway ornear completion. Some, such as the single identity Midland Trail Address or jointvisitor Center may take many years to accomplish. While others such as the mar-keting, promotion, management, or extension of the Trail are moving ahead.

6.6

Priority I

MANAGING THE MIDLAND TRAIL MANAGING THE MIDLAND TRAIL

PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENTThe Midland Trail Scenic Highway

Association has made tremendous stridesas a voluntary organization. However, wehave encountered management challengesas the number of projects which needattention mount and weigh on the shoul-ders of a limited number of volunteers overour 120-mile stretch of mountains. It iscritical that MTSHA move from an organi-zation of volunteers to one with profes-sional guidance as soon as possible.

To accomplish this transition, theAssociation must bring together a teamwith professional leadership that under-stands the complexities of funding sourcesand is capable of accomplishing the plansoutlined in this document. Suggestions formanagement development and marketingare discussed in chapters on managementand marketing. Additionally, this Plan pre-sents strategies for developing a fully paidprofessional staff which works with otherbyways in a circuit-riding manner. Studentinterns and cost-shares are alternativeroutes towards full professional manage-ment until the Association has resources inplace to achieve this project.

MTSHA has won considerable credibil-ity in recent years by accomplishing severalTrail-wide projects, including a DestinationGuide, "We have It All", and its accompany-ing publicity campaign. The Trail has alsoaccomplished a number of successful com-munity-based projects.

The Association has learned from expe-rience.We have found that access to stategovernment, media markets, travel andtourism organizations, and good graphicdesign and marketing professionals are allintegral to the organization’s momentum.A location close to Charleston and itsresources, together with a circuit-ridingstaff, is most advantageous for accomplish-ing our goals.

BENEFITSWe expect to realize many benefits for

Association activities from paid manage-ment. Our work as a volunteer organiza-tion has generated enthusiasm and involve-ment not only from within, but also fromoutside; government officials from local tofederal levels have expressed support, busi-ness supported the Destination Guide, andlocal citizens’ groups have embraced theMTSHA’s platform of heritage preservation

BUILD THE

MIDLAND

TRAIL

ORGANIZATION

WITH

A STRONG

MANAGEMENT

TEAM

and development. Continuing this involvementwith a professional staff assures that projects inprogress can continue in an accountable andeffective way. More and better involvementwith the tourist industry and state and localentities will result in better communication andcoordination of all Trail projects, maintainingvolunteer spirit while involving professionalsupport.

RESPONSIBILITY: The volunteer leadership ofthe MT will have top responsibility of ensuringavailability of funds for hiring management.Local and regional government must be awareof the effectiveness of a regional approach,that is, WV Scenic Highway leadership shouldbe involved in resource development.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES

Start-Up Cost-Sharing ModelEstablishing an office with computers,

telephones, utilities, and meeting and workingspaces requires a significant investment. Aphase-in may involve a project partner in thearea which accommodates an incubator orcost-sharing concept for convenience to bothends of the Trail until such times as it can orchooses to be completely independent.

Student Interns Staff SupplementWVU Tech, University of Charleston,

West Virginia State and Marshall University allcan provide student interns that benefit start-up projects. Riverside High School Learn andServe may be extremely helpful here.

Scenic Byway CVB ConsortiumThe Trail, the Coal Heritage Trail, the

Highland Scenic Highway and CVBs inCharleston, Oak Hill, Beckley or SouthCharleston all can gain from successful coordi-nation and cooperation. Coordinating with thestate Tourism and Scenic Byways Offices couldresult in creative management solutions.

Virginia-West Virginia ConnectionAt Buena Vista,Virginia the U.S. Forest

Service and Buena Vista CVB share staffingresponsibilities for a visitor center on Virginia’sTrail. Extending the Midland Trail Scenic Bywayconcept into Virginia could provide an impor-tant model and location; whitewater rafting,canoeing, hiking, camping, biking are all availablehere.The addition of information on the WestVirginia Trail at a location such as this will help.

6.7

BUBU ILDING PILDING PARARTNERSHIPS TNERSHIPS Participation among agencies, organizations

and municipalities using the Trail and sharing acommon vision will improve its interpretationand local development. A strengthened com-munication program involving newsletter,press releases, staff and volunteer activitieswill bring Trail partners together in wayswhich strengthen the overall effectiveness ofthe organization and the Midland Trail Region.

Partnerships of this nature will assist withsupporting projects of the Midland Trail andits partners. It will smooth the transitionfrom a volunteer-managed to a professionallymanaged organization. Partnering with otherorganizations on marketing, management,Visitor Centers, and support of the Trail'sprojects will be necessary.

Greenbrier, Fayette, Kanawha Counties,with the proposed addition of Putnam andCabell Counties, will form the new MidlandTrail.An approved extension means five sepa-rate county commissions, two of the state’slargest cities, and a score of city councils, may-ors, and other elected officials. Three sepa-rate and independent regional planning bodiesserve these areas. Dealing with competitionbetween jurisdictions and forming effectivepartnerships is an essential element for reach-ing Association goals.

In order to accomplish these tasks, theAssociation must attract and retain qualifiedprofessionals who are able to continue build-ing the organization and remain with it until itis established enough to move into a moremature and independent phase. A profes-sional must be able to manage multi-facetedprograms involving government, tourism,business and non-profit sectors. This individ-ual, together with a centralized professionalstaff (see management plan section), will workwith boards and related organizations inpartnership with the Trail and intersecting andpartnering Trails and groups.

The ability of Trail organization(s) to part-ner with organizations which can providerent, utilities, equipment, vehicles, storage,taxes, insurance or any other overhead costwill prove an important benefit. Funding pro-vided through federal or state government isregularly delayed. As such, it would aid theorganization’s activities to have a line of cred-it that meets payroll and other necessaryexpenses.

Over the last thirty-six months the orga-nization has used the equipment and supple-mental staff of Cabin Creek QuiltsCooperative, West Virginia Quarterly Magazineand the law office of Larry L. Rowe, whoserves as MTSHA's President. All of theseorganizations are located in Malden four milesfrom the State Capitol. However, a perma-

nent, full-time, paid staff is needed tomeet the needs of the Association andTrail activity as it outgrows donated spaceand services; the staffs and offices whichwe have been using can no longer accom-modate with time, money, or equipment.

COSTS

* Salary and benefit package for staff* Office equipment and supplies* Rent, utilities, insurance* Office location near Charleston* Vehicle (circuit ride for Scenic Bywaysbusiness)* Graphic Design and publishing capability

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility for successful manage-ment and partnership building belongswith the Executive Trail Manager, whoworks in cooperation with the Board ofDirectors to oversee operations. TheManager, working hand-in-hand with com-munity-based groups and committees, canwatchdog a variety of functions.

Standing Board committees include thefollowing: Communications, Finance,Marketing, Nomination, Membership,Environment.The Association can devel-op others as needed.

BENEFITS

* Strong links with and physical proximi-ty to state government, media, business,and tourism-related organizations* A "showcase" presence in a historicdistrict with industrial, cultural, racial andartistic diversity at the Kanawha segment* Close links between management,board and governmental agencies.

Priority II

Please SeeChapter 7for details

BUILD

PARTNERSHIPS

AMONG

TRAIL

BUSINESSES,

GOVERNMENTS,

AND

ORGANIZATIONS

6.96.8

MARKETINGTHE

MIDLANDTRAIL

Chapter 8 details

Marketing recommendations and

implementation

1. A single address for the Midland Trailis a community-based goal which will pro-vide marketing benefits and visitor assis-tance at no cost once it is in place. Aname-place address which is recognizableregionally as well as nationally for whatand where it is will be very valuable toour group. As an organization, we mustacknowledge that many changes requiretime, and this is one which clearly willrequire a local initiative involving continu-ous reminders of the benefits. At thistime less than 25% of the Midland Trailuses its name as its mailing address.

2. Continuation of the highly success-ful "We Have It All" campaign into its sec-ond phase for the first 3-5 years of themillennium. This campaign will drivehome the concept of the Trail’s wide vari-ety qualities. “We Have It All” will accom-plish its goals through a mix of strategies:

* New and expanded Destination Guide,with new Gateways.

* Videos and audios which can be used inand from the automobile as well as at home.Also used in visitor/reception center set-tings or broadcast over TV or radio,

* Promotional tours, Treks, bicycle andspecial events which targeting markets

* Advertising campaigns in magazines,TVand radio

3. Brochures, maps, and presentations.Includes brochures called “Trail Tracks”listing attractions for specific areas ofinterest such as whitewater sports, biking,photography, Civil War sites, arts andcrafts, and scenic beauty.

4. Hospitality training for volunteers andstaff in visitor centers and for thoseworking in our business partners alongthe Trail

5. Expanded international market basethrough a selection of materials produced inFrench and German for Canadian andEuropean markets which are just beginningto explore the Trail.

MARKETING THE MIDLAND TRAILMARKETING THE MIDLAND TRAIL

Priority III

across Virginia from Atlantic Ocean toMississippi.

The Corridor Management planningprocess will provide an important body ofknowledge to those western communi-ties which join the Midland Trail.As such,it will catalyze similar processes inVirginia and Kentucky once they see thebenefits of a program which connects ourborders.

The historic, recreational, scenic, andnatural attractions along this stretch willgain a higher community priority, whichfrom all indications is precisely what com-munities desire. This planning process willbuild upon community pride and encour-age preservation of intrinsic qualities onother segments of the Trail.

Gateways will prepare travelers for theopportunity to use the Midland Trail.These “doors” to the Trail, located inHico, Beckley, Martinsburg, Parkersburg,Huntington, Charleston, White SulphurSprings, and Lewisburg, are entry pointsfor tens of thousands of new visitors.

RESPONSIBILITYIn anticipation of the Trail extension,

the Association’s Board at its 1999 annualmeeting voted to create additional seatson the board to accommodate membersfrom Putnam and Cabell Counties as wellas a members of the Coal Heritage Trailand Highland Scenic HighwayAssociations.

The WVDOT and municipalities alongthe proposed extension of the Trail willbe extremely important to this effort.

BENEFITS:• Completes Statewide ScenicByway Corridor• Important Western Gateway access

COSTS* Consultants or staff for CorridorManagement Plan* Extension* Signage* Transportation Publications* Publications

Horace Greeley visited the NortonHouse on the Trail in Malden. His famous “GoWest, Young Man” quote reminds us of theopportunity, adventure and entrepreneurialbenefits the West represents. The MidlandTrail Scenic Highway Association sees a west-ern extension to the Kentucky border a vitalkey to the Trail’s future development.

The Association has evidence of strongcommunity support for this extension withletters of support from over 50 communityleaders. George Washington first embracedthe concept of an inland route which wouldconnect the mid-Atlantic region with the Gulfof Mexico. At this time, the Midland TrailScenic Highway, as designated, ends in front ofthe State Capitol in Charleston.Without theextension, we lose an opportunity to show-case several properties listed on the NationalRegister. The Western Gateway at theKentucky border provides an excellentopportunity to introduce the eastbound I-64traveler to the Trail and other Scenic Trails inWest Virginia which intersect or sit near theMidland Trail. The Association’s vision is toconnect communities on its route from coastto coast, offering an important pioneer-themed option to Route 66.

Extending the Midland Trail to the WestVirginia's western border accomplishes sever-al things. First, it completes the story ofwestward pioneer movement across theAlleghenies both visually and experientiallyfor the tourist, demonstrating the physicalchallenges that pioneers faced in their west-ward movement. In this way, the Trail becomesa living portrait of the colonial-age pioneer’sroute. Moreover, extension provides anexpanded story of the Trail’s symbiotic rela-tionships between river, road and rail trans-portation. Third, it expands the original east-west corridor proposed by GeorgeWashington and further opens the possibilityof connecting Virginia, Kentucky and pointswest with West Virginia's piece of the Trail. InHuntington the Midland Trail will meet theOhio River Scenic Route providing a nearcontinuous route from the Virginia border tothe Mississippi River. A bicycle trip in Spring2000 will proceed from Hampton, Va., toHuntington, WV, further linking the states’Midland Trails in spirit. It is our hope this jointeffort would offer the opportunity to extend

Priority IV

MIDLANDTRAIL’S

“GO WESTYOUNGMAN”:

GO WEST 2001

Horace Greeley

Expand the TExpand the Trail to WV’rail to WV’s Ws Westerestern Born Borderder

RESPONSIBILITYThe Midland Trail Marketing Committee hasdone a significant job thus far. Together withMTSHA’s board and staff, the Committee willcontinue and expand upon this work.

Cooperative agreements with the WVDepartment of Tourism and Transportationopened up available grants which have beeninvaluable towards making campaigns success-ful.

Continuously broadening the base withcooperative agreements and collaborativearrangements will expand further the MidlandTrail message. Marketing nationally and inter-nationally will strengthen the Association’srelationship with the State and Federal officesof international development.The Associationcan expand those Trail materials whichpresently feature sections in French andGerman for foreign markets.

BENEFITSProfessional marketing materials are indis-

pensable for projecting the message of theAssociation--"We Have it All". All of thesematerials, combined with the efforts of a pro-active Trail membership, will make the Trail’smarketing efforts successful.

Materials and programs will also raise moneythrough advertisements and other revenue-generating sources.

Communicating with foreign visitors in theirnative tongues is the first step towardsextending them a welcome. Multi-lingual signsalso communicates to all who see them thatthe Midland Trail region is looking to attractforeign visitors. The culture of hospitality willtake deeper roots with this acceptance andexpectation.

6.10

place at the Malden Visitor Center. Similar signswill go up at the Centers at Lewisburg, HawksNest, Gauley Bridge and White Sulphur Springs inthe near future, and greeting signs in Spanish andJapanese are forthcoming for all. Meanwhile, pull-offs and Gateways will offer foreign language wel-comes.

BROCHURES AND DESTINATION GUIDESPlans call for expanded as well as new destina-

tion guides linking the Coal Heritage Trail and theHighland Scenic Highway with the Midland Trail’swestern extension and with the existing Trail.Targeted travel brochures for African-Americans,Women, Native American and other specific inter-est travelers are part of the marketing scheme.

VIDEOA video is presently in production. An addi-

tional video will promote the Trail’s qualities andeducate the traveler about the western sector ofthe Trail and the Coal Heritage sector.

ELECTRONIC KIOSKSRadio-controlled or electronic kiosks and new

outdoor traveler technology will figure promi-nently as a cost-effective means of communicatingthe Trail’s message to travelers. While new tech-nology, this equipment will be useful in the future.

COSTS^ Signage--new and replacement^ Brochure production and printing^ Video production^ Visitor Center operation^ Pull-off maintenance

BENEFITS•Continuity of message•Increase name recognition•Building of sense of community between busi-nesses and centers along the Trail

RESPONSIBILITIESDesign, color, material use, and placement of

signs should be in accordance with West VirginiaDepartment of Transportation standards.MTSHA’s Signage Committee should work withthe state and county offices of the Department ofTransportation to ensure that signs meet DOTguidelines. Trail representatives from each countycan serve on the committee and work in cooper-ation with their respective county highway depart-ments.

SIGNAGESigns are the main means of communicat-

ing between the Trail and its auto travelers.Community people along the Trail consistent-ly indicated a need for an improved signageprogram. Trail-traveling is not as clear-cut assuperhighway travel.This signage must be clearand must incorporate into its design what thevisitor will experience.

Midland Trail members agree that signagealong the Trail is a priority and needs improve-ment. The Trail is not clearly signed in bothCharleston and White Sulphur Springs and largeGateway-typed arched signs would clearlyexplain entry onto the Midland Trail region.Public meeting participants also felt that exits onI64 should provide sufficient information for con-venient access to the Trail; at present, they donot.

Existing signage along the Trail needs main-tenance and upgrading. The Association willestablish a Signs Standards committee respon-sible for reporting on the conditions of Trailsignage, such as for interpretive signs and pull-off markers.

GATEWAY MARKERSThese should incorporate the Midland Trail

Logo and greet visitors to the Trail. Otherdirectional information should provide travel-ers information in a cluster format. Existingsigns which compete with these signs shouldeventually be replaced.

ROUTE AND MILE MARKERSThese signs should identify the Midland Trail

name along with the logo for the Trail. Used atintersections, markers can inform travelersthat they are on the Trail. Mile-markers assisttravelers in using the destination guide as wellas other information on the Trail.These signswill need regular and periodic maintenanceand upgrades. If the Trail is extended west theMileage Marker signs will need adapting

PATHFINDER IDENTIFICATIONVisitor Information Centers, Gateways, and

pull-offs are examples of locations where clus-tered pathfinder signs will help travelers nego-tiate the Trail with ease. All signs should becoordinated with the services of the WestVirginia Department of Transportation.

Foreign Language SignageWelcomes in French and German are in

Priority V

MIDLAND

TRAIL

IDENTITY ---

STRENGTHENED

Please See Chapter 9for Signage detailsand Chapter 8 forfull Marketing Plan

StrStr engthen Identity and Vengthen Identity and Visitor Communicationsisitor Communications

6.11

Priority VI

Trail requires a standardization of designs,construction, wording and location. Thiswill benefit the traveler and ultimately theoverall appearance of the Trail. Since WVDOH enforces signage on-and off busi-ness premises, their policies and the WestVirginia Code will be referenced in ques-tions pertaining to this matter.

RESPONSIBILITYTogether with the WVDOT and dis-

trict DOTs, MTSHA can take a coopera-tive approach in working with truck dri-vers, coal companies, timber companies,unions, and state and local law enforce-ment officials.With cooperative measuresby all parties, including travelers, new andrepeat users of the Trail can experiencesafety and comfort in their visits here.

The Association will refer to theWest Virginia Code of the WVDOT inquestions pertaining to this matter.

Capitalizing upon the visual qualities of theMidland Trail's scenery enhances visitor expe-rience. The Association will address and mon-itor intrusions and distractions along the Trail,particularly those in the industrial or miningareas. An active effort underway in all threecounties seeks to remove derelict and dilapi-dated properties from the Trail and to screenunattractive industrial or storage sites withrows of evergreen trees.

Volunteer groups have worked on pull-offsand overlooks development in the last year.This effort will continue and step up toinclude ten (10) overlooks and viewsheds andaccompanying trash disposal, picnic benchesand interpretive signs.

Roadside parks at Cannelton in KanawhaCounty, at Rainelle, and Lewisburg (TuckwillerPark) will receive further Association supportfor maintenance and upgrades.

SAFETY UPGRADESIndustrial Area Signage- HAZARDS!!!

Identification of Trail areas with heavy coal,timber or trailer truck traffic, as well as otherpotential hazards, is an Association priority.

The increase in visitor traffic to the Trailhas presented safety issues as it relates bothto particular hazards in specific areas and toinherent characteristics of the Trail.Unregulated auto and truck traffic in theMalden Historic District presents safety con-cerns to school groups and tourists at cul-tural sites on the Trail there.

BUSINESS SIGNSBusiness signage on and off premises are reg-ulated by the WV DOH for size, height, num-ber and type and limited to a size which isnecessary to identify and direct people topoints of interest or warn of hazards Alsoneeded are signs that explain points of cultureor local history. In general, signs should be assmall as possible, but consider the traveler’sdistance and speed. It is desirable to enticethe reader to stop and visit the attraction.Once the traveler adjusts to smaller signs andslower speeds, large intrusive signs are unnec-essary. The variety of signs needed along the

S C E N I C C H A R A C T E R E N H A N C E M E N T SS C E N I C C H A R A C T E R E N H A N C E M E N T S

BENEFITSThe inherently challenging and even

potentially dangerous aspects of the Trailare part of the thrill of traveling the Trail.Freeway rush hour traffic, unfamiliarinner-city traffic, tunnels or detours allpresent challenges.Cooperation between the Associationand its partners will lead to successfulmanagement and monitoring of such chal-lenging conditions.

ENHANCE

SCENIC

QUALITIES

Chapter 9 Driving the Trail

Enhancing the Visitor Experience Details our Plans in this area

6.12

In its commitment to attract seriousscholarly study of the Trail, the Associationenvisions the creation of the nation’s firstcenter for the study of scenic byways andhighways.The goal of such a Center wouldbe research into improvements in her-itage preservation, tourism development,interpretive projects, and management ofbyways and highways. Scholarly study ofbyways, rural roads, rural road mainte-nance and related sustainable economicdevelopment projects along Byways willalso be the focus of this national andinternational Study Center. The hallmarkof the byways movement is diversity, andthe Association has developed projectswhich interpret a Trail diverse in culture,terrain, and socio-economic status.

The expertise and resources involvedin this effort will facilitate long-range WestVirginia planning, and national byway goals.The legacy of this Center will be its abili-ty to encourage a new type of travelerback onto old historic routes. Traffic hasbypassed many of these roads because ofinterstate travel, resulting in decline andeconomic struggle for Trail communities.

Using West Virginia as a laboratory, theAssociation will develop a strong interna-tional focus. The Trail's location, develop-ment stage and size are ideal for examina-tion by developing nations. We havelearned this fact from experience; theAssociation will be able to look at tourismfrom an international perspective. Thisfocus enhances West Virginia's global per-spective. The Study Center will also sup-plement byways development, data, andstudy in West Virginia. The number andtypes of professionals which can addressthe development of Scenic Byways will besignificantly greater.

The ideal location would be in Malden,West Virginia. First, Malden is close to thestate government and its resources inCharleston. Furthermore, Malden is

Priority VII

developing as a heritage preservationtown and with an important legacy ofdiversity, education, and culturaltourism.

ResponsibilityThere exists the potential of con-

siderable academic support from fourinstitutions: Montgomery’s WestVirginia University Institute ofTechnology, located on the currentTrail, and University of Charleston,across the Kanawha River on theviewshed of the western end of thecurrent Trail. Two others are on theproposed extension to the Kentuckyborder: Marshall University inHuntington and West Virginia StateCollege in Institute.

Costs

Funding is expected to be broad-based, with a lead commitment fromthe USDOT and with assistance forthe state of WestVirginia from suchorganizations as WVTourism, the WVDevelopment Office,private foundations,WV Roundtable, andthe AppalachianRegional CommissionTourism Program.This center will notoverlap roles with theNational ScenicBywaysClearinghouse.

CREATE A

BYWAYS

STUDY

CENTER

(10 yrs: 2000-2010)

6.13

CrCreate a Byways Study Centereate a Byways Study Center

Norton House in Malden, possiblefuture site of nation’s first Center forRural Byway Studies.

ENCOURAGE TOURISTENCOURAGE TOURIST-RELA-RELATED DEVELOPMENTTED DEVELOPMENT

6.14

Priority IX

The Midland Trail Scenic HighwayPlanning Committee and the FayetteCounty Planning Committee haveidentified the intersection of Routes60 and 19 at Hico as a high-priorityarea.The 60-19 intersection joins theMidland, Coal Heritage and, potential-ly, the Highland Scenic Highways.Additionally, it is located at the centerof the whitewater industry nearHawks Nest State Park and the NewRiver Gorge National Park. TheAssociation envisions attractingtourists to the Trail with amuseum/visitors center which willinterpret the qualities of West Virginiaitself and for which the state is known:recreation; industry; resources such ascoal, timber, chemicals, and glass; farm-ing; Appalachian arts and crafts; andthe state’s history.

At this time, this interchange is stilla pastoral and ideal setting for theinterpretation of both rural roads andrivers. This location would be a jointventure of National Scenic Highwaysfor the Coal Heritage Trail, theHighland Scenic Highway, and the Trail.Whitewater rafting contributes agreat deal to the recreational life andthe economy of the region. This sitewould be ideal for an accompanying

Whitewater Hall of Fame.These partner-ships are believed to be an important steptowards collaborating and viewing travelin a regional manner.

COSTS* Land Acquisition* Building* Furnishing* Operational Costs

BENEFITS:* Efficiency of joint operations for tour-ists and organizations* Stronger presentation on rural roads opportunities* Preservation of a strategic intersectionon Highways* Hico is presently the geographic centerof the Trail* Hico is the center of the whitewaterindustry in West Virginia* Hico is six miles from the New RiverBridge and New River National Park* Fayette County Planning identified the Hico interchange as very significant to"green" development on the Trail* The Midland Trail, Coal Heritage Trail andthe nearby National Highland ScenicHighway all can be serviced from a jointinterpretive center. Also, partnerships insuch an interpretive center would benefitthe whitewater industry.

RESPONSIBILITY

* The Midland Trail, being the lead ScenicHighway in this effort, has the leadershipresponsibility. This role is one of facilita-tor, which will set the tone for the successof other collaborative efforts and thesuccess of future partnerships. The ScenicHighways, Fayette County, the whitewaterindustry, the New River National Park andCVBs all play an important role in devel-oping this joint center.

RURAL ROADS AND RIVERS VISITOR CENTER

Priority VIII

6.15

Each county on the Trail contains areas forhiking/biking trails, each in a different stage ofdevelopment. West Virginia’s Rails-to-TrailsProgram has developed a beautiful Trail alongthe Greenbrier River from Lewisburg toCass. In Fayette County, a developing Trail willallow bikers and hikers to go from the middleof Ansted to the bottom of the New RiverGorge, where they can catch the Hawk’s NestState Park Tram back to the top of the moun-tain.The Tram will have bike racks.

In Kanawha County, the development of aShare The Road bicycle path between theState Capitol and Riverside High Schoolwould open up bicycling opportunities forpeople of all ages and abilities. This flattwelve-mile ride can be an important newrecreational addition for potential commutersor visitors to the Valley. Innovative solutionsinclude pigmented or raised roadways; ShareThe Road signs would be welcome to themost seasoned riders who now use thisroute.

MTSHA will serve as an advocate for rid-ing opportunities both on and off Trail. Tohighlight these opportunities, the Associationwill sponsor a May 2000 bicycle ride acrossthe Trail.“Ride Across the Virginias” will beginat Hampton University in Virginia and traversethe Trail’s entire length through both Virginiaand West Virginia over a two-week period.Booker T. Washington's 125th Anniversarygraduation from Hampton will serve as thestarting-point at the May 14th Hampton grad-uation. Bicycle clinics at school and publicfacilities will emphasize safety, maintenanceand bikable routes on and around the Trail.

RESPONSIBILITY

Ride Across the Virginias - A committee of theTrail which co-sponsored the l997 KidsFreedom Trek from the Booker T.WashingtonMemorial in Virginia to Malden on part on theMidland Trail will lead in organizing this 400-mile ride. Celebrate West Virginia Foundation,the State Bicycle Tourism Coordinator, Railsto Trails and the West Virginia TrailsAssociation will all be involved. Broad-basedsupport will come from businesses, banks,bicycles, community groups and schools.

Partnering with these groups, theAssociation’s Bicycle Committee can leadin Trail development.

BENEFITSAs a recreation and health option, bikingreaches a broad base of the population.Further development of this importantopportunity will be a boost for residentsas well as travelers. Bicycling on and offthe Trail provides a close link to rafting,climbing, hiking and skiing enthusiastswhose participants regularly cross overto other sports.

COSTSAnsted-Planning, design, construc-tion and promotion costsEastern Kanawha - Planning, design,acquisition of land easement betweenMalden and Port Amherst; riveraccess and upgrades at Malden andBelle; and marked bike and hikeroutes between the Capitol buildingand Malden Historic District, with alater extension along Route 60 to thenew Riverside High School at Quincy;promotion

BICYCLES ON THE MIDLAND TRAIL

BICYCLES

ON

THE

MIDLAND

TRAIL

AND

IN THE

MT REGION

AREA

RURALROADS AND

VISITOR CENTER AT

HICO

6.176.16

Capitol Heritage AreaHOLLY GROVE

MANSION

Daniel Boone ParkHeritage Area

CRAIK-PATTON HOUSE

Malden Heritage AreaAFRICAN ZION

BAPTISTCHURCH

Belle Heritage AreaOLD STONE

HOUSE

Cedar Grove Heritage Area

CEDAR GROVEHOUSE

RESTOR

ATION

IN

PROGRE

SS

PRESER

VED

PRESER

VED

RESTOR

ATION

IN

PROGRE

SS

RESTOR

ATION

IN

PROGRE

SS

Joint marketing, maintenance, manage-ment and fundraising for historic buildingsand projects in the Upper Kanawha Valleycontinues strong at this writing. Throughthe CMP process, these independentcommunity voluntary groups cametogether for the first time and acknowl-edged their shared challenges. Discussionhas moved in the direction of coordinat-ing marketing, maintenance, managementof tours, and other common expensesand responsibilities in new cooperativeways.

Some of the most significant historicpreservation and heritage efforts in WestVirginia have taken place east of theState Capitol on the Midland Trail inKanawha County. These designated her-itage areas include the following: DanielBoone Park, Malden Historic District,Belle Heritage Area and Cedar GroveHeritage Area. This industrial region canclaim several pre-Civil War homes, cab-ins, churches, cemeteries and historicindustrial sites. The interpretation ofthis multi-faceted and historically-lay-ered region has challenged the develop-ment of a marketable industrial/histori-cal identity in this area.

The Association took important

Priority Xsteps during the development of this planto raise the importance of the industrialidentity by holding an Industrial HeritageTourism Conference on the Trail atMontgomery’s WVU Institute ofTechnology. The Association has workedactively to recognize the roles of the his-toric heritage areas within the Trail’s east-ern segment. Here historic homes werebuilt in areas of great coal, timber, and saltreserves. Large industrial concerns such asthe DuPont and Elkem facilities have joinedMTSHA as partners.

COSTS

* Staffing

* Marketing

* Fundraising

BENEFITS

* Coordination

* Joint Maintenance, Marketing, Presentation

* Shared staffing, which reduces costs*

RESPONSIBILITYCraik-Patton Board, Cabin Creek QuiltsCooperative, Belle Historic Society and OldStone House Board,Virginia’s Chapel Board ofTrustees, and Cedar Grove MansionProperties are all important players in man-agement. MTSHA will be the leadership org-anization, with active participation fromExecutive Committee members in eachheritage area.

EASTERN KANAWHA HERITAGE AREA MANAGEMENT CONCEPT

CREATE

CENTRALIZED

MANAGEMENT

FOR HISTORIC

PROPERTIES IN

EASTERN

KANAWHA

COUNTY

Old Stone House

6.196.18

The discovery began a parade ofdiscoveries of other natural resourcesalong the Trail. Following salt camethe discovery of new technologies andindustries. Other resources includedoil, gas, timber, coal, chemicals andmetals.This is a story of the building ofAmerica in the twentieth century.TheMidland Trail's version accounts forpioneers in the development processof a Trail and its resources. However,as a reinvention it accommodatesboth industry and tourism.

Locating an Industrial HeritageInterpretive Center/Museum, possiblynear the Montgomery area, site ofWest Virginia University Institute ofTechnology and Elkem Metals couldpromote the Kanawha Valley as one ofthe nation’s foremost industrialtourism regions. Among the area’sclaims to fame is the development ofchemicals to make antifreeze andnylon, a branch facility for the world’slargest silicon-producing multination-al, the first high-pressure syntheticammonia production facility inAmerica, and a whole host of prod-ucts which reach world-wide markets.In addition, the Valley’s industry manu-factured steel, chemicals, and explo-sives for the nation’s war efforts. Atthe eastern end of the Valley is the

Hawks Nest Tunnel, con-sidered a great industrialengineering feat, but alsodeemed the site of thestate’s worst industrialtragedy.

The Tunnel’s fascinat-ing history brings intofocus another significantaspect of Trail history:

labor. The Trail and its surroundingswere home to some of America’smost violent labor conflicts. Mother

Jones was a noted visitor and activistalong the Trail.

One of the Association’s priorities isthe preservation and development of theTrail’s industrial heritage, particularly vitalin the face of the increasing popularity ofindustrial tourism among travelers.DuPont’s Belle facility currently seeksdesignation as an American ChemicalSociety National Historic ChemicalLandmark. Furthermore, the Associationsupports nomination of the entireKanawha Valley as a “Chemical Valley” Historic Area.

COSTS* Heritage area industrial interpretivekiosks and equipment displays* Interpretive kiosks, radio-controlledcommunication transmissions* Marketing industrial tourism

BENEFITS* Strengthened relations with chemical,coal, and metallurgical industries* Balancing environmental relationsbetween citizens and industrial job devel-opment* Participation by industries in tourismprocess--contributions to process* Education regarding role of industry

RESPONSIBILITYIndustrial leadership and participation hasbeen included on the Association’s board.The concept of Industrial HeritageTourism grew in viability as a result of a1998 MT Industrial Heritage Conference.The Trail must continue to be the leadorganization in this effort, soliciting partic-ipation from an active industry-communi-ty-citizen triangle and working closelywith Chemical Heritage organizations onthe local as well as national level. Laborunions should be included in future orga-nizing efforts.

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY INTERPRETATIONS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Create an

Industrial

Heritage

Interpretive

Center/

Museum

PRIORITY XI

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETYNATIONAL HISTORIC CHEMICAL

LANDMARKS PROGRAMDUPONT PLANT BELLE: WV"Pioneering High-Pressure Synthesis"(first high- pressure synthesis of ammoniafrom coal in the US, April 1, 1926)Nomination submitted.Target Celebration Date: April 1, 2001

MALDEN SALT WORKS: Site of thelargest 19th-century salt-works and lastsurviving example of 19th-century saltfrom brine wells. Development of ""jar"drilling bit.Nomination planned 2000.

ELKEM METALS, UNION CARBIDE:No nomination at this time

ResponsibilityDupont Chemical Historical Society hasassumed leadership of the nominatingprocess for the Belle Plant. Malden couldeasily develop nominations for theDickinson Company or related industrialsupporter. Union Carbide and ElkemMetals would be responsible for thedevelopment of their own nominationmaterials and expenses. All sites are onthe Midland Trail.

INTERPRET

INDUSTRIAL

HERITAGE

6.216.20

S E C O N D A R Y P R O J E C T SThe secondary project list includes proposed concepts from communities along theTrail. Although these proposals have survived rounds of reviews, neither theresources nor the leadership are available to move them at this time. During thepast several years, the Midland Trail Association has actively pursued projects thatintend to preserve, interpret, develop, and manage the Midland Trail and its manyintrinsic qualities. The Association may raise a project in this category to a prior-ity project in the future. As we complete the first round of projects and resourcesbecome available, we will bring some of these forward for review.

• Acquisition and Developmentof Overlook at Lee’s Tree TavernThe Association greatly needs toacquire the highest point on theMidland Trail and to transform it intoa beautiful scenic overlook. This pull-off sits near the border betweenFayette and Greenbrier Counties andoverlooks the broad vista of theGreenbrier Valley. Scenic in quality, theoverlook is also a historic point ofinterest; General Lee’s troops quar-tered here in the 1861 Sewell CountyCampaign, and Lee found his horseTraveler at this spot. However, the oldTavern stands as a derelict distractionat the pull-off.

• ARTS CORRIDOR TRAIL SHOPSAND A Trail Fair/FestivalProgram, with annual rotatingvenues. This program envisions cre-ation of a Pioneer’s Festival orPioneer’s Fair which showcases quali-ties of the Trail; such qualities includeAppalachian arts and crafts, drama,and industrial exhibits.

• Income-Producing Project forTrail Association Combined withTourism/ Training Project

In conjunction with Trail highschool or university tourism and/orbusiness classes. Motel or bed andbreakfast with restaurant and gift shopmodeled after Inn and StudentIndustries at Berea College or Davis &Elkins College.

• ARMSTRONG WALLLocated within the viewshed of the

Midland Trail at Falls View, this nationallyand internationally significant relic is areminder of the earliest period of humanactivity in America. Private ownership bytimber and coal companies poses a chal-lenge to interpretation and protection. Akiosk, signage and diligence in watchdoggingthis premier archaeological attraction arevery important.

• Drama Along the TrailCommissioned skits to be staged in

flexible and movable situations and high-lighting the Trail’s history.

Recommendations have proposed com-missioning interpretive dramatic produc-tions for presentation along the Trail.Public input has suggested several themesfor Trail dramas: Civil War, the HawksNest Tunnel, and Zona (the “GreenbrierGhost”) in Lewisburg.

•Establish “Pioneer’s Week”.Pioneer’s Week would start at one pointalong the Trail and move east or west.Could include a Civil War re-enactment,arts/crafts fair, dramatic production, one-day community open house program,tours through area attractions,Sternwheeler Day, Lewisburg’s Taste ofOur Town, etc.

Conduct Study With CourtesyPatrol Program as possible element ofour developing rural economic tourismprogram.

• Specialized Craft and OutdoorProducts:

Programs and/or services which presentTrail products, foods, crafts, and serviceson-line, on the shelf, and in print.

• Interpretive Panels Along the TrailPanels at designated pull-off areas will tellthe stories contained in the “Trail Tales”with artistic renditions and text and evenaudio messages that can be received thrucar radio.

• Golf at Hawk’s Nest State Park:Golf on Eastern Kanawha mountaintopalong the Trail.

• Mountaintop Hang-Gliding Intothe Valley

• Sunday Road Backway:Signage and surface upgrades for this pro-posed backway.

• Gauley Bridge Information andArts Center: Civil War interpretive site.

• Artists’ Colony in Gauley Bridge :The Midland Trail has several outstandinggalleries, a fine art gallery in Lewisburgand a gallery near Hico, and the Trail is inthe position to offer something whichcaptures the artistic spirit and impulses ofits people. Gauley Bridge’s proximity toHawks Nest State Park makes it an idealhalf-day shopping and learning jaunt.

• Boat Hotel in Gauley Bridge. Twofactors make this concept a good one.First, public input has indicated a shortageof lodging on the Trail. Additionally, anunusual accommodation such as this, witheffective advertising, would add a patina ofcurious experience for the visitor.

• Monument for Hawks Nest TunnelThis Tunnel was both an engineering mar-vel for its time and a great industrialtragedy whose deaths caused workers’

compensation reform in sixteenstates.

• Hawks Nest Conference CenterExpansion Project: Expanded din-ing room, meeting and sleeping rooms.Legislative Digest funds allocated inPhase I development

• Women’s Interpretive Park inMalden:Celebrate the achievement of early

pioneer women such as JaneWashington (Booker T. Washington'smother), Mary Ingles, Mother Jonesand Anne Bailey, all who traveled theTrail. The Association contemplateserecting a series of panels in theBooker T. Washington park in Malden.At this writing, Celebrate WestVirginia Foundation is coordinating asales campaign for engraved brickswhich will form a display in the Park.

• Visitor and Interpretive CenterComplex and Safety Upgradesfor Historic Malden:This planned project builds upon thecultural and heritage tourism base atMalden. A Visitor’s Center at CabinCreek Quilts; the African Zion BaptistChurch; “A Fresh Start Salt Village”:Re-Creation of Booker T.Washington’s Childhood Home; tworestored homes, Historic NortonHouse and Hale House; KanawhaSalines Presbyterian Church; MaldenBaptist Church; and a private “garagemuseum” which contains buses andold cars are all part of this HistoricDistrict. The Association can expandthe complex to include tours with his-torical characters, food service andother amenities necessary to thedevelopment of an ongoing touristdestination.

Malden needs a traffic light toimprove safety on the Trail for visitorsto its various historic sites.

6.236.22

S E C O N D A R Y P R O J E C T S• Eastern Kanawha Pull-offs onthe new 4-Lane

With interpretive kiosks (2)

• Cedar Grove Heritage AreaTompkins House and properties

• Virginia’s ChapelSlate roof and shutters

• Develop School Programs toeducate children about Trail historyand tourism possibilities

• Hospitality Training for business-es and visitors centers

• Connect with universities andcolleges

• Educate elected officials (contin-uous)

• Clear obstructive vegetation toopen up more scenic views

• Adopt A Highway ProgramFurther the develop this existingnational program.

• Plantings along the Trail to hideeyesores and create more invitingspaces.

• Fayette County Land Use StudyFayette County has a county-widezoning and is in the process of acounty wide land use plan. We needstudy to identify dilapidated buildingsand plan for the use of land in keytourist areas.

• Bike and Hikeway from HistoricMalden to the State Capitol: Bikeracks and bike shop desired on Trail. Landeasement between Malden and PortAmherst, river access and upgrades atMalden and Belle, and marked bike andhike routes between the Capitol buildingand Malden Historic District. A laterextension would terminate at the newRiverside High School at Quincy.

• Temple of Traditions: Located inEastern Kanawha County, yet accessibleto a statewide and national audience, thisWest Virginia-made building will be ahome for the increasingly popular tradi-tional mountain music and dance.

• Athletic Greats of the Midland TrailRecognizing Randy Moss, Jason Williams,Jerry West and other Upper KanawhaValley standouts in the field of sports atthe new Riverside High School.

• Lewisburg Historic DistrictInterpretive Center:

A community multi-purpose interpre-tive center with the following:• Development of horse-and-carriage

stagecoach concept• Pull-offs• Park and Interpretive Center• Stables for the town’s horse-drawn

carriages and bicycles for rent.

• Camp Shaw-Mi-Del-EcaA 90-acre riverfront site on the Midland

Trail and Greenbrier River Bikeway. Oncean Indian camp site and later a summercamp, this park and interpretive siteaffords the Trail direct access to both theGreenbrier River and the Greenbrier BikeTrail, which is presently unavailable to Trailvisitors.

• A River Museum The Midland Trail,and in particular the Kanawha River, has arich transportation history dating backover 200 years.The Kanawha River was achief route to the western markets ofCincinnati and New Orleans. Even today,coal barges are a common sight on theRiver, and this body of water is still hometo a number of sternwheelers. TheKanawha River contained the country’sfirst movable dams (1880s). Currently, theclosest such museum is in Marietta, Ohio.The rise in popularity of industrialtourism argues for a River Museum in theKanawha Valley.

• Riverboat Access: Create river accessfor tourism development for the area ofMalden, Belle, Cedar Grove, andMontgomery; access would benefit small-er power boats for small parties as well ascanoes and rowboats.Tours of the histor-ical areas could be offered by river.

• Entertaining River Interpretation /Tourist Transport:Flatboat similar to Spirit of Kanawha usedto celebrate Kanawha Bicentennial; theflatboat would explain early transporta-tion and could serve as a ticket office atDaniel Boone Park. Small powerboatmodels for small party pleasure tripswould include any of the following: largeIndian canoe, flatboat, packetboat, andsternwheeler.• Hospitality Training and ExpandedMarketing ResearchWho will be are new partners on theexisting & expanded Trail How do we bestreach our target markets? Which sitesare most important to highlight on theexisting and expanded Trail? Which infor-mation will be shared & how? Marketresearch is and hospitality training aretwo high priorities as we develop inter-pretative and marketing materials.

• African Zion Baptist ChurchNeeds upgrades to roof, in electricalservice, and to hvac.

• Welcome Sign at the WesternEnd of the Trail:The Association would like a sign onKanawha Blvd. at 35th Street Bridgeoverpass that reads “WELCOME TOTHE MIDLAND TRAIL” as well asother signage around the CapitolComplex to guide visitors onto theTrail from Greenbrier Street inCharleston.

• Old Stone House (Belle)Heritage Park.At this writing, the Belle Historical

Society, which serves as the home’scaretaker umbrella, has purchased anadjacent defunct business, razed it, andleveled space for a parking lot.Clearing of tenant trailers around thehouse will create an area for develop-ment of a heritage park which con-templates a mock well, reproductionbarn (which would serve as a form ofcommunity center for local activities),reproduction carriage house, andblacksmith’s shop.

• Daniel Boone Roadside CaveInterpretive signage marking the for-mer site of hillside cave overlookingMidland Trail at milemarker 3 aboveDaniel Boone Park, where Booneactually slept. Highway developmentremoved the cave.

• Marmet Locks Visitor Center.The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers hasplans for a visitor’s center at this lockon the Kanawha River.

Table of ContentsIntroduction14 Points Recap"Dear Reader"Project DescriptionOverview: W. Virginia's FacesExecutive Summary

Description of TrailLocation of The Midland TrailLocation on Eastern SeaboardLocation in WVRouting and MileagePhysical DescriptionLand Uses and Zoning

Vision and GoalsVision of the Midland TrailGoals of the Midland Trail5 and 20 Year GoalsGoal I thru VIII

Intrinsic QualitiesThe Five Intrinsic QualitiesAn Inventory of SitesContext / SettingScenic QualitiesNatural QualitiesCultural QuailitiesHistorical QualitiesRecreational QualitiesDevelopment: Enhancement and AccommodationMaintaining and EnhancingOther Characteristics: Industrail CemeteriesA Quick Look at MT and American History

Trail TalesNative AmericanPioneersAfrican-AmericanWomenImmigrantsProminent PersonagesResourcesTransportationIndustryWarFlora and FaunaGeologyCreativity

Priority ProjectsAccomplished and Current ProjectsCollaboration and ReviewTop Eleven Priority ProjectsSchedule of Projects ResponsibilityPriority Projects OutlinesSecondary Projects

Priorities 1 & 2: Mgt and Collaboration StrategiesPhases of ImplementationPartners in the ProcessStaffing RecommendationsOrg ChartSchedule of Responsibilities

Marketing StrategiesMarketing StrategyCreating An ImageBuilding An IdentityMarketable AssetsPositioning for the FutureBuilding PartnershipsMarketing EventsSpecial Target Markets:WomenAfrican-AmericansForeign VisitorsElderlyBaby Boomers (born1945-64)Generation X (born1965-75)Echo Boomers (born 1975-76)Millennial Gen (born 1977-94)

Driving the TrailSignageAccident and Safety DataTraffic ConditionsVisitor Services/ Accommodation2. Anomalous Intrusions

Economic ImpactBottom LineTravel Market Analysis

Geology of the TrailConclusion & AppendixConclusion RecapNational Register ListFaces of Participation Collaboration and ReviewAcknowledgementsSources of InformationIndustrial InventoryLetters of Support for Extension