Cowen, WV: From Rail Hub to Trail Gateway – A Journey Through History and Promise
"Explore the story of Cowen, WV, a town with rich heritage and a promising future. From its origins as a railroad hub to its aspirations as a trail gateway, Cowen embodies resilience, community spirit, and a commitment to progress. Discover past achievements, ongoing projects, regional collaborations, key stakeholders, and the town's biggest needs for development. Journey through Cowen's past, present, and future in this small-town gem nestled in the Monongahela National Forest."
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Presentation Transcript
COWEN, WV RAIL HUB TO TRAIL HUB AND GATEWAY TO THE MON FOREST! A SMALL-TOWN KIND OF AMAZING!
OUR PAST Incorporated August 2, 1899, and named for John K. Cowen, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad President. We re 120 Years Old this year! First High School in the County, and first hospital in the county. Gateway to Boot Camp and Europe for Webster County in WWI & WWII. Rail expanded in WWII, most evidence removed in January 2018. Gateway to the Wilderness and Youth Camps. Coal, timber and lumber major economic drivers.
OUR FUTURE Proud of our connections to Camp Caesar and West Virginia Baptist Camp. Future re-development of rail and trail connections. Historic B&O Pond and Mon Forest Gateway access. Gauley River Water Trail Expansion. Re-Development of Cowen Railroad Yard area. Connections to Camden-on-Gauley, Richwood, and WV Route 19 at Muddlety. Access Point for the Rimfire ATV Trail System. Pollinator Community and most walkable/accessible community in Webster County. Home of History Makers: We Dream, Dare and Deliver!
PROJECT SUCCESSES Cowen Railroad Depot mothballing/re-painting. Cultivate Cowen Project/HubCAP Program. Haunted House. Cowen Country Christmas. Webster County Boys Basketball State Championship Parade! Railroad Festival Re-Birth. Rimfire ATV Trails legislation passage and signature! ARC Webster County Broadband Service Expansion. AFNHA Legislation and Signature Success!
REGIONAL COOPERATION Projects that require regional cooperation: Rail-Trail Expansion/Extensions, becoming the Trail Hub! Regional Mountain Biking Trail Expansion. Rimfire ATV Trail System Implementation and Development. Gauley River Water Trails Extension/Expansion. Mon Forest Gateway Community Initiation/Expansion. AFNHA Implementation and Expansion.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS Glade District Improvement Committee, Inc. Churches and Communities of Faith Cowen Garden Club American Legion and Auxiliary. IOOF/Oddfellows. Local Business Owners Many others.
BIGGEST NEED/DESIRED OUTCOME Development of Trail Hub/Nexus focused around historic B&O Pond Area. Community need for Economic Development, Improved Overall Wellness and improved transportation and Recreational Equity.
