Timeline

A local legacy begins

WVU Jackson's Mill traces its roots back to its establishment in 1801. Edward Jackson is living on the property that we now call Jackson’s Mill.

Gristmill was built

Records indicate that Edward Jackson had completed a gristmill for his property. 

Edward Jackson creates Lewis County

Edward Jackson is successful in his efforts to pass legislation to create Lewis County, the county in which WVU Jackson’s Mill is located.

Edward Jackson passed away

Edward Jackson passed away on December 25, 1828 and is buried in the Jackson family cemetery. 

Thomas Jackson come to live at Jackson’s Mill.

Thomas's sister, Laura, joins him to live at Jackson's Mil.

The new gristmill was being built

Around the time that Tom and Laura arrived, work was likely already well under way for the construction of the new gristmill.

Thomas Jackson leaves

Thomas left for the Military Academy at West Point.  

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Cummins Jackson built a house 

Cummins Jackson departed Jackson’s Mill

Cummins Jackson departed Jackson’s Mill for California where he died shortly after he arrived. 

Andrew Jackson, one of the Jackson uncles named after the president, committed a murder in the Jackson Mill.

A violent altercation broke out at Jackson's Mill. 

New ownership at Jackson's Mill

Katherine “Katy” Jackson White takes possession of Jackson’s Mill. 

Catherine Jackson White passes away

Catherine dies and Jackson’s Mill is sold to William and Hulda Moxley until it is repossessed.

Jackson's Mill is under new ownership again

Joseph Clifton purchased the property and continued to run the gristmill.

The gristmill ceased operation

The last reported grind at the gristmill occurred in Jackson’s Mill in July 1892. 

Jackson's Mill is under new ownership

A. T. Watson purchased the property from the Cliftons.

A fire occurred on the property

Cummins Jackson's house burns down. 

A stone is placed at Jackson's Mill to dedicate Thomas Jackson

A stone marker to the boyhood home of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is dedicated.

Jackson's Mill becomes home to the first state 4-H camp in the United States

In June 1921, a group of volunteer leaders gathered with state leaders for what became the first state 4-H camp in the nation. 

The Jackson's Mill campus is starting to develop

The Lewis Cottage, the first cottage is built, along with the Council Circle and the Campus Green. 

Jackson's Mill property expands

The Assembly Hall and additional cottages are built. 

Jackson's Mill property gains an additional acreage and Harrison Cottage

The State Board of Control finalizes the transfer of the five original acres of the camp and Harrison Cottage is built.

Mount Vernon Dining Hall and the pool are built

Two more structures are constructed at Jackson's Mill.

McWhorter Cabin is moved and the Director's Residence is built

The McWhorter Cabin was moved to Jackson's Mill and the Director's Residence was constructed.

Monroe Cottage is built

Another cottage was built at Jackson's Mill.

Monongalia, Gilmer and Barbour Cottage is completed

Three more cottages are constructed at Jackson's Mill.

Randolph Cottage construction begins

Randolph Cottage construction starts in 1927 but was not completed until July 1931.

Calhoun Cottage completed

Another cottage was added at Jackson's Mill.

The Informal Garden is designed

After the completion of Calhoun Cottage, the Informal Garden was built behind the cottage.

The maintenance garage is constructed

This building was critical to the maintenance work done at Jackson's Mill.

West Virginia Building is completed

One of the most beautiful and interesting buildings on the grounds is completed.

Braxton Cottage is built

Another cottage on the grounds is complete.

Kanawha Cottage, the Electric Energy Company, the Southeastern Learning Center and the Amphitheater are completed

Several more buildings are built at Jackson's Mill. 

Camp gates are installed

Camp gates are installed at the main entrance to camp.

Naval Air Cadets use Jackson's Mill

Jackson's Millis was used to train Naval Air Cadets during World War II.

Shrine dedicated to director Kendrick

Following William "Teepi" Kendrick's, director of Jackson's Mill, death a shrine was made to commemorate the man who was so instrumental in the development of both the 4-H Youth Development Program in West Virginia and his role in developing and establishing the vision and leadership necessary for the camp’s early years.

The health center was built

This building was originally built as the camp health center, but later was used as the administration and registration office.

Northern Panhandle cottage and Agriculture Hall of Fame building were built

The Northern Panhandle cottage was the last cabin to be built. In the same year, the Agriculture Hall of Fame building was built, which was originally constructed as the Administration Building. 

Flameway Hall is built and the livestock barn burns

Flameway Hall is built and the livestock barn burns. 

All Faiths Chapel was donated to Jackson's Mill

Constructed in 1959, the chapel was donated by laymen of the Methodist Church.

A new livestock barn is built

After a fire burned the original livestock barn, a new barn was constructed.

Jackson's Lodge is built

This 22 room motel-type lodge was built to accommodate guests staying at Jackson's Mill. 

The Old Pavilion is built

The Old Pavilion had a concrete floor and heavy timber framing. A portion of the pavilion is enclosed as a food service area.

A new pool is constructed

The original location of the pool was built in 1926, but a new pool was built in 1975.

Dorsey Resource Center is built

The Dorsey Resource Center was built to house the Jackson's Mill library. 

Monroe Council Circle and the Jubilee and Rotary Pavilions are built

Monroe Council Circle is the second Council Circle to be built at Jackson's Mill. In the same year, the Jubliee and Rotary Pavilions were also built.

Blaker's Mill is reconstructed and restored

Originally constructed in 1794 in Greenbrier County, Blaker's Mill was donated by the Blaker family and reconstructed and restored to working order in 1993.

Mary Conrad Cabin is relocated

The Mary Conrad Cabin is relocated to the Jackson's Mill Historic Area.

The Mountain State Building is constructed

The Mountain State Building is located in the Historic Area.

The Low Ropes course is completed

The Low Ropes course is an addition to the outdoor activities available at Jackson's Mill.

Pool renovation is finished

Mount Vernon Dining Hall renovations are completed

Council Circle is renovated

Artisan Cabins and a foot bridge to Council Circle are completed

Artisan Cabins in the Historic Area are built along with a foot bridge at Council Circle.

The yurts are built to provide a unique overnight experience

Three identical yurts were built to provide additional overnight accommodations.

The Shooting Sports Range and RV Park is completed

The Robert Hayhurst Shooting Sports Complex and the Robin Hayhurst RV Park are built. There were also no 4-H camps held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Annette S. Boggs Educational Center is completed

This state-of-the-art building is home to year-round programming and hands-on activities that focus on STEM. 

A river access point is built along with the Tango Tower

A river access point is built to access the West Fork River and a climbing tower is built for outdoor education and recreation. 

The water and sewage system is replaced

The water and sewage system is replaces throughout the main Jackson's Mill campus to update and increase efficiency.