Bean Creek Road is an approximately 3.6-mile single lane rural highway located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Santa Cruz County. Bean Creek Road begins at Glenwood Drive and terminates to the south at Scotts Valley Road (former California State Route 17) Bean Creek Road along with a small portion of Glenwood Drive and Mountain Charlie Road were all part of the McKiernan Toll Road. The McKiernan Toll Road was commissioned by the Santa Cruz Turnpike Company in 1858. This toll road would be constructed by Charles Henry "Mountain Charlie" McKiernan and Hiram Scott at a cost $6,000. The McKiernan Toll Road originated at what is now the city of Scotts Valley and ascended to the Summit Road. The toll facility was ultimately purchased by Santa Cruz County in 1878 for $600 and made a public highway. Part 1; the history of Bean Creek Road Both Mountain Charlie Road and nearby Bean Creek Road share a common origin as a singular stage route. In 1858 the Santa Cru...
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is best known for whitewater rafting and other forms of adventure tourism. Yet, found in the hollows and isolated valleys are quiet farms and former coal mining towns. Well off the beaten path and isolated from much of its surroundings, Thurmond provides a unique view into Central West Virginia's industrial past. Thurmond began as a railroad town in the late 1800s. Sparked by the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the local coal industry, Thurmond quickly grew into a sizeable transportation and coal center. When it incorporated as a town in 1903, Thurmond was a full-fledged community - home to two banks, two hotels, and many other services and stores. A CSX freight train passes the old coaling tower in Thurmond. It was here that many steam locomotives would refill and refuel. Thurmond was home to a C&O railyard which serviced the numerous steam engines passing through the narrow valley. Thu...