Point Pleasant Riverfront Park to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park (Blog Hike #981)

Trails: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Riverfront Park and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park
Geographic Location: Point Pleasant, WV (38.84250, -82.13919)
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: 0/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: A flat hike, mostly on paved trail, along the Ohio River to the Point Pleasant Monument.
Park Information: https://wvstateparks.com/park/tu-endie-wei-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=950002
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 2)

Directions to the trailhead: This hike starts at the Riverfront Park floodwall door in downtown Point Pleasant.  Park in the perpendicular parking on the north side of the town's post office.

The hike: When most people think of American wars during the 1770's, the Revolutionary War is the first one to come to mind.  Yet while revolution against the British was fomenting in America's eastern cities of Boston and Philadelphia, another war was taking place on what was then America's northwestern frontier.  Named for the Royal Governor of the Virginia Colony, Lord Dunmore's War came about when forces under Shawnee Chief Cornstalk tried to stop the advance of American/British settlers in the Ohio valley.

            Lord Dunmore's War had only one major battle, namely the Battle of Point Pleasant in present-day West Virginia on October 10, 1774.  Though he was outnumbered at least 2 to 1, Chief Cornstalk advanced south to attack the Virginia militia under the command of Colonel Andrew Lewis.  Cornstalk's goal was to prevent the militia from crossing the Ohio River into present-day Ohio, thereby protecting Shawnee land along the river.  Fighting lasted all day, but the Shawnee were eventually outflanked and forced to retreat north across the river.  Later that month, Lord Dunmore led the Virginia militia deep into present-day Ohio, thus forcing the Shawnee to sign the Treaty of Camp Charlotte to end the war and surrender land claims south of the Ohio River.

            Today the Battle of Point Pleasant is commemorated by Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, a tiny 4 acre park in downtown Point Pleasant at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers.  The park's name comes from the Wyandot word that translates to "point between two waters," a reference to the park's confluential location.  The park's main structure is the Mansion House, a wooden structure dating to 1796 that was originally a tavern.  The City of Point Pleasant's Riverfront Park is only a short distance away, and walking the asphalt trail that joins the two parks forms the super short and super easy "hike" described here.

Point Pleasant floodwall

Riverfront Park

            Start by walking through the floodwall door, which brings you to the top of the amphitheater at Riverfront Park.  The amphitheater's stage is right by the Ohio River, and the "seats" are formed by a tiered wavy concrete structure.  The amphitheater looks like a small version of Cincinnati's famous Serpentine Wall, and the Ohio River bridges visible in either direction add to the scenery.

Entering Tu-Endie-Wei State Park

            To head for Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, turn left and begin walking downstream with the Ohio River on your right and the floodwall on your left.  A beautiful mural of pioneer life in this area adorns the floodwall, and metal statues of famous people from the pioneer era such as Sacagawea and Mad Anne Bailey line the asphalt trail.  At 0.25 miles, the asphalt trail ends where a sign welcomes you to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.  Continue straight to walk across the mowed grass and enter the state park.

Point Pleasant Monument

Confluence of Ohio and Kanawha Rivers

            The state park occupies only about a city block, but there is lots to see here.  In addition to the aforementioned Mansion House, separate monuments stand to Shawnee leader Chief Cornstalk and The Magazine, where several members of the Virginia Militia are buried.  The tallest monument is the Point Pleasant Monument, a stone obelisk that stands to the battle itself.  Walking to the other (south) end of the park brings you to the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers and allows you to see river bridges on both rivers.  After exploring the park, retrace your steps back to Riverfront Park and the floodwall door to complete the hike.