Tag Archive for: the greenbrier

White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, West Virginia is a quiet little town consisting of just under twenty-five hundred people. The Greenbrier is a luxury four-star resort located on the edge of this little town. It was owned for a great period of time by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and became a recent purchase of a local entrepreneur named Jim Justice. Twenty-six presidents have stayed at the hotel with the most recent being Dwight Eisenhower while his term was still in session. The location was once home to an underground bunker designed for Congress as a shelter for the Cold War. A sulphur water spring serves as the center point for this piece of land. It runs under a springhouse with white columns and has been an icon of the vacation spot for several generations.

The History of Greenbrier

A local discoverer by the name of Mrs. Anderson began to use the waters as a natural remedy to her chronic rheumatism. Since that time, the resort has been referred to as White Sulphur Springs. The land was first legally owned by the Calwells, a notorious family from Baltimore, who took the initial steps toward shaping it into the resort seen today. Cottages sold during the initial development of the land remain standing at the vacationing site. The hotel, built in 1858, was originally called the Grand Central Hotel and torn down around 1922 after the new building had been completed. At the time of the Civil War, the property changed hands between the Confederate and Union armies. It was almost burned to the ground during the struggle, but reopened shortly after as a vacation spot and the setting for reconciliations after the war. Ownership of the property changed to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in 1910. The Greenbrier resort was used as an Army hospital throughout World War II and then purchased by the railroad company once again in the post-war period.

An Abundance of Activities in a Luxurious Setting

The Greenbrier has a rich history dating back to the early discoveries of this nation and has made its mark as a prominent luxury resort. Today, visitors can relax in the stunning setting of the White Sulphur Springs, participate in a variety of activities, and explore the historic location. The Presidents’ Cottage Museum is a building consisting of two stories housing exhibits dedicated to the twenty-six presidents who have stayed at the location and contains exhibits designed to show the deep history of the hotel. The Greenbrier is also a famous golfing location with an exceptional course. It was the first location of the Ryder Cup, held in 1979, and a previous hosting site of the Champions Tour. Indoor activities at the resort include billiards, concerts, shopping, fitness facilities, gaming, and laser tag. Visitors wanting to spend more time outdoors can participate in a round of golf, take a carriage ride, go hiking, or do some mountain biking. The Greenbrier offers numerous activities with plenty to keep the family busy while staying in a one of a kind location.