Fort Towson

Main House at Capon Springs Resort.
The Octagon House from Capon Springs Road.

Capon Springs is an unincorporated community in Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States. According to the 2000 census, the Capon Springs community has a population of 95.[1]

It is located on Capon Springs Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 16) along Capon Springs Run. Originally known as Frye's Springs after its discoverer Henry Frye, and later established as the Town of Watson in 1787, the town was renamed for its medicinal spring.[2] The springs were believed to carry such healing power that half an acre sold for $900 in gold in the late 18th century. After West Virginia seceded from Virginia in 1863, it had to pay Virginia for the loss of the springs during Reconstruction. The historic Capon Springs & Farms resort is located here and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable people

Herman Guy Kump (1877–1962), 19th Governor of West Virginia, and American educator Arthur R. M. Spaid (1866–1936)[3][4] were born in Capon Springs.

Historical names

The Old Red Store & Post Office.

Capon Springs and its post office have been known by several varying names throughout its history, which include:

  • Cacapehon Spring
  • Cacapon Springs
  • Frye's Springs
  • Fryes Spring
  • Fryes Springs
  • Watson
  • Watson Town
  • Watsontown
  • Watsonville

Historic sites

  • Capon Springs, Capon Springs Road (CR 16)
  • Octagon House, Capon Springs Road (CR 16)
  • Old Red Store, Capon Springs Road (CR 16) & McIlwee Road (CR 16/1)
  • Ms. Bessie's Bungalow, Capon Springs Road (CR 16)

References

  1. ^ Capon Springs, West Virginia ZIP code profile Archived January 7, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, DownloadZIPCode.com Archived December 30, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 2008-01-19.
  2. ^ Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 154.
  3. ^ Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 730.
  4. ^ Secrest 1922, p. 65.

Bibliography

External links

Media related to Capon Springs, West Virginia at Wikimedia Commons