I spent last weekend in West Virginia visiting lots of family and just soaking up the ambiance of my favorite place. I’m the seventh generation to grow up on the land where my father still lives. I’m hopeful at least one of this batch of nieces and nephews will keep the legacy going.
Come go with me as I visit the home place.
Laurel Fork United Methodist Church–that’s my dad out front. Got married here.
Aunt Bess’ house. She lived to be almost 102. If you read “Miracle in a Dry Season” this is where the Talbot sisters live.
Laurel Fork–I bathed here almost as much as I did at home all those growing up summers (Ivory soap floats). It was a huge treat to go the swimming hole just a little ways upstream of this spot.
The Phillips family cemetery is on this knoll on a neighbor’s property.
One of the stones in the old cemetery. It says G.L. Loudin–we’re actually not entirely sure who that was.
I’m so incredibly blessed to have access to such a rich history. I’m grateful that I’m finally old enough–and perhaps wise enough–to appreciate it.
Meet Sarah
Thanks for taking us along, Sarah!
You are blessed to have that kind of connection with your own history. A direct link with a world so different, grounded in such fundamentally different values is very powerful medicine against the fragmentation of our 4G iPad world, where a Nook is a black box, anything but cozy.
You gave me a breath of fresh air, and I’m very grateful.
It’s like breathing clean air for me to share it! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed coming along.
I loved this!!! SO COOL! I love history, and I am envious that you have such a long connection to your family’s land. Loved the photos, that rushing water is gorgeous.
As a kid I was eager to get out of there, now I can’t wait to go back!
It this the Laurel fk that starts in Highland county VA. and continues to Pendleton county WV. ?
Nope–it’s further north. I suspect there are quite a few Laurel Forks!
Sarah,
I stumbled across your “visit home” while searching for photographs of the Old Laurel Fork Church. It is one of the most beautiful places I can remember and I am so thrilled to see this. I should have taken photos myself the last time I was there in 2011. This was also one of my father’s favorite places with many good memories. My grandmother was a Loudin, Gwendolyn Loudin Davis, her father was Clarence Loudin. Though I did not spend all my summers at Laurel Fork, I do recall many visits for funerals and to visit with Grandma’s uncles and aunts. Thank you for sharing your visit to the home place!
I’m so glad you took the time to comment! I expect we’re kin–maybe cousins of the third or fourth order. It’s always good to find someone who loves the home place as much as I do.