February 21, 2016 OUTLOOK: Travel & Tourism 5

The main dining room at the Glen Ferris Inn, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Another large dining room was added in 1997. It accommodates large parties and wedding receptions and provides sweeping views of Kanawha Falls.

Photo courtesy of DAVID ELSWICK Interior photos by BEN CALWELL The stately Glen Ferris Inn sits next to U.S. 60 in Glen Ferris, near Gauley Bridge, Fayette County. The inn had its begin- One of 15 rooms at the historic Glen Ferris Inn on U.S. 60 nings in the 1800s as a stagecoach stop/tavern along the James River & Kanawha Turnpike, now U.S. 60. In 1991, it was at Glen Ferris in Fayette County. Three suites are also avail- listed on the National Register of Historic Places. able for guests. Glen Ferris Inn provides quality dining and lodging in Fayette County Historic inn popular venue for weddings, special events

By Ben Calwell “We do the German feast, METRO STAFF Irish feast, Cajun feast, Italian feast, Asian feast, a fall har- vest feast and an American VERLOOKING cookout. We get everything the restful, scenic as authentic as we can. The Kanawha Falls, the German feasts are the most OGlen Ferris Inn beck- popular.” ons to those who appreciate Inspiration for the feasts fine dining, lodging and local came from a wedding that a history. German couple had at Glen Owned by Robert D. Hill Ferris Inn in the early 2000s. and managed by his wife, The feasts “grew out of that Photo by BEN CALWELL Becky, the Glen Ferris Inn one wedding,” she said. at Glenn Ferris, on U.S. 60 Hill said the feasts have Becky Hill, wife of Glen Fer- near Gauley Bridge in Fayette become so popular that more ris Inn owner Robert D. Hill, County, is the perfect restau- than 2,000 people have signed manages the inn. She said rant and lodging venue for a up for email notifications of guests love the “homey” feel weekend getaway, a wedding, the culinary and other special of the inn, which had its be- family reunion or any special events at Glen Ferris Inn. ginnings in the 1800s. occasion. Overnight guests enjoy the The Glen Ferris Inn, which comfortable atmosphere of the is on the National Register of Glen Ferris Inn. and bread pudding. Historic Places, has 15 rooms, “They say it’s like staying at “We do different cobblers, Photo courtesy of DAVID ELSWICK three suites and two dining but blackberry is a favorite home,” she said. A gazebo adds to the charm of the historic Glen Ferris Inn in Fayette County. The gazebo and rooms. Hill said travelers caught one.” nicely landscaped grounds overlooking the Kanawha Falls provide a picturesque setting. “In 1997, my husband built a on U.S. 60 during the recent The Glen Ferris Inn had its large dining room in the back heavy snowstorm found a beginnings when a Col. Aaron to use for large parties and cozy retreat in the Glen Ferris Stockton acquired the proper- In 1839, Stockton applied Through the years, the prop- establishment,” Hill said. weddings,” Becky Hill said. Inn, where they rode out the ty in the 1800s. for a license to serve alcohol erty was known as Stockton’s The Glen Ferris Inn was sold That dining room provides weather in warm comfort. “According to local legend, so that he could operate his Tavern and Hawkins’ Tavern. eventually to Elkem Corpo- great views of the Kanawha The bedrooms are comfort- at the end of the War of 1812, property as a stagecoach stop/ In the 1920s, an Italian ration, and, in 1996, Robert Falls and river. able and tastefully decorat- he was given land grants in tavern along the James River stonemason built a low wall D. Hill, a native of the area, “We serve breakfast, lunch ed. Each room has its own lieu of salary,” Hill said. & Kanawha Turnpike, which around the inn. The wall, still purchased it. and dinner. We have a lot of personality, as reflected in the Those grants, according to is now U.S. 60. standing, contains quartz “that In 1991, the Glen Ferris Inn large parties, such as re- materials and decor. Hill, included the parcel of In researching the property, was mined from this yard,” was placed on the National unions, birthday parties, anni- “Some are oak, some are land in Fayette County, where Hill said she read old diaries she said.“He also built the Register of Historic Places. versary parties, and, of course, cherry, some are Shaker; we the inn now sits next to U.S. that indicated the inn “was columns and the wrap-around Visitors to the Glen Ferris weddings. We do a beautiful try to do country quilts in all 60. Stockton, whose grand- the place to be on a Saturday balcony.” Inn can also shop for crafts wedding,” Hill said. of them.” father was a signer of the night.” Hill said that in the late made exclusively for the inn In addition to its quiet Guests can expect first-class Declaration of Independence, During the Civil War, the inn 1920s, Stockton’s granddaugh- by Hill and her sister, Donna ambiance, the Glen Ferris Inn dining experiences at the Glen developed the property and was a quartermaster depot. ter, Margaret, sold the inn to Jones. has earned a reputation for its Ferris Inn. either built a house there or “Local legend also says a company called Emco, an “We do homemade candles, weekend “feasts,” which pay “It is a good dining expe- added on to or remodeled an it was a Confederate head- electric-metalurgical compa- waxed animals, decorative homage to various cuisines rience; our food is all home existing house. quarters at one time, became ny. Emco, which eventually plates, fused glass, stained of the world. The feasts are cooked from scratch,” Hill “In 1816, he brought his Union headquarters and be- became part of Union Carbide. glass and textiles.” served about 20 times each said. family from Virginia to live came a military hospital. It has At this time, it became known For more information about year, complete with festive The Glen Ferris Inn is also here. This was their primary a lot of history. At the end of as the Glen Ferris Inn. the Glen Ferris Inn, visit glen- decorations appropriate for known for its homemade des- residence for some time,” Hill the war, it was returned to the “Over the years, it devel- ferrisinn.com or call 304-632- each feast. serts, including pies, cobblers said. (Stockton) family,” Hill said. oped into a dining and lodging 1111.

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