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Jefferson County, WV
About Jefferson County
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Jefferson Rock
Shenandoah Canal
Shepherdstown
Entler Hotel
Rumsey Monument and Tobacco Warehouse
Morgan's Grove Park
Peter Burr House
Charles Town
Jefferson County Courthouse and Museum
Zion Episcopal Church
Happy Retreat
St. George's Chapel Ruins
Harewood
Cedar Lawn
Claymont Court/Blakeley
Middleway Historic District
Berkeley County, WV
About Berkeley County
Martinsburg
B&O Roundhouse & Station Complex
Belle Boyd House
Berkeley County Courthouse
Triple Brick Museum
General Adam Stephen House
Green Hill Cemetery
Van Metre Ford Bridge
Bunker Hill Mill
Morgan Chapel
Morgan Cabin
Gerrardstown Historic District
Hays Gerrard House
Mill's Gap
Sleep Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hedgesville Historic District
Mt. Zion Episcopal Church
Snodgrass Tavern
Morgan County, WV
About Morgan County
Spruce Pine Hollow Park
Berkeley Springs
Dutch Cemetery
Throgmorton's Inn
Bath Historic District
Berkeley Springs State Park
George Washington's Bathtub
Roman Bath House & Museum of the Berkeley Springs
Washington's Lots
Sir John's Run
Panorama Overlook
Great Cacapon
Camp Hill Cemetery
Paw Paw
Paw Paw Tunnel
Coolfont Manor House
Cacapon State Park

Washington Heritage Trail

 

COOLFONT MANOR HOUSE


In 1756, a British veteran of General Edward Braddock’s defeat during the French and Indian War built a cabin near cool springs in the Sir John’s Run Valley along the eastern slope of Cacapon Mountain. More than 150 years later, prolific author, ecologist and presidential appointee, Herbert Quick, chose the same site to live out his “back-to-the-farm” philosophy. In 1916, Quick built the stately stone Manor House, pond and several outbuildings as the centerpiece of his experimental farm. He called it Coolfont in honor of the springs. The Manor House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A half century later, the work of this early environmentalist and conservationist was expanded upon with the creation of Coolfont Resort in 1965 by the Ashelman and Capen families. The Manor House served as the site of the Coolfont Foundation’s cultural presentations and Quick’s orchards and gardens supplied the resort restaurant. The cool springs provided the resort’s water supply. An underground tunnel leads from the mansion to a small springhouse.

Currently, Coolfont is under development as a prestigious residential spa and resort community of nearly 1000 acres. Among its miles of mountain hiking trails is the Green Trail to historic Prospect Rock where George Washington often rode.

The Cold Run Valley, much of it occupied by Coolfont, is considered the source aquifer for the warm mineral waters of Berkeley Springs.

 



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