Developers, entertainers, and investors are setting the stage for the small mountain town of Elkins to become West Virginia's biggest travel destination. At the heart of their focus lies an abandoned train station and rail yard, which is undergoing a thorough transformation."We've been trying to make Elkins a destination for years," said Jen Giovannitti, director of the Randolph County Development Authority. "We recognized that we needed a new hotel and to generate more destination activities."
The county authority owns the railroad property and is spearheading the extensive redevelopment project. On the perimeter of the new town square, with the completion of a new Holiday Inn Express (bricked to match the historic motif), the relocation of the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, and the start of construction on a new music theatre designed to feature nightly shows, the shared dream is well on its way. A railroad museum is in the works, too. And, all of the new attractions are within walking distance, united by their proximity to the restored depot.
"Still, there is space available in the yards," Giovannitti said.
The former site of a railroad turntable and maintenance shop covers acres of what is rapidly becoming prime visitor space. The comprehensive effort to re-create the space, including the talent, sweat, and funding, is nearly all being invested by residents of Elkins who share a common interest in seeing their hometown thrive.
"We've known about this sort of thing all our lives and we're just so excited to see it come home," said Susie Heckel, manager and producer of the American Mountain Theatre.
Currently in operation in a different location, the American Mountain Theatre is looking forward to the start of construction on the square. The Branson-style variety show will be moving up from a 200-seat makeshift venue to their own custom 525-seat theatre. Now in its second season, the family production has entertained 25 buses this year.
"We'll follow the train season from May to mid-November and then offer a Christmas Spectacular," Heckel said.
Everyone agrees the trains are the main attraction.
"People have a fascination with trains that I don't have an explanation for," said John Smith, president and chief engineer of the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. "People will come out of the woodwork to ride."
Smith and his wife Kathy are operating three unique trains on three different scenic excursions around the Cheat Mountain area from Durbin where they also keep a rail and trail store. However, with the availability of nine tracks and a renovated depot at the Elkins town square, the railroad company is looking to relocate and expand.
"It's coming along in Elkins," Smith said. "There's growth potential and it's highly scenic."
Heckel says people from all over the country are already taking the scenic drive through Elkins - mostly on their way to someplace else. Now there are many more reasons to stop.
"One longer term goal is to link Elkins to Snowshoe by train," Giovannitti said. "If that were to eventually come to play it would be a great way to get people into the region."
One travel expert says the reconstruction and centralization of the area's tourism efforts is exactly what the historic railroad town needs to attract and accomodate visitors and realize its potential as a premier d estination.
"Elkins is the only place in America where visitors can experience a tour with three train rides in a single day," said Bob Cline of US Tours in Parkersburg.
Cline has already been successfully and nearly exclusively selling Elkins' assets and booking dozens of buses annually for the American Mountain Theatre and West Virginia's only scenic railroad. Last year 35,000 people experienced the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley line.
No comments:
Post a Comment