Auction Information
Online Bidding SiteHistoric Riverside 373 +/- Acre Farm
Opportunities like this rarely come to the market. Riverside Farm, the jewel of the Hunter M. Bennett Estate, has never been offered for sale to the public. Its storied history goes back eight generations to Revolutionary War hero Paulser Butcher, who searched the frontier for the ideal location for his farm, settling on this picturesque bend in the West Fork River near the town of Weston. On the expansive flat and rolling farming acreage, he planted his orchards which made West Virginia famous for its peach brandy.
In the generations that followed, Judge Bennett transformed the farm into a powerhouse in the horseracing world. Breeding, training, and racing hundreds of trotters, Riverside Farm rose to fame in the 1940s as the home of award-winning horse Beautiful Scamp. It boasted two 5/8-mile tracks, one which was historically a covered track, and extensive barns and outbuildings, s...
In the generations that followed, Judge Bennett transformed the farm into a powerhouse in the horseracing world. Breeding, training, and racing hundreds of trotters, Riverside Farm rose to fame in the 1940s as the home of award-winning horse Beautiful Scamp. It boasted two 5/8-mile tracks, one which was historically a covered track, and extensive barns and outbuildings, some of which remain on the property.
The Riverside fields are a rarity in West Virginia with extensive flat and rolling meadows of farming and ranching acreage. Will you choose a cattle or horse farming operation or luxury homesites with expansive river views? Currently, the fields are in use as a robust income-producing cattle farm, with fenced acreage, ponds, barns and outbuildings, and an additional farmers residence for potential rental income. Current relationships with reliable tenant farmers can be extended to continue maintaining the fields for additional income if you so desire.
The farm boasts extensive frontage on the picturesque bend of the beautiful West Fork River, where your family and friends will enjoy fishing, picnicking, canoeing, camping, kayaking, and swimming.
The Woodland portion of the property to the West encompasses the utmost privacy of owning the entire bowl of Wolf Run Hollow. The acreage is suitable for a secluded hunting lodge or luxury private wooded homesites, all in the midst of a mature hardwood timber investment. Sport and recreation opportunities abound as you hike through the whispering oaks, jump on the mountain bikes, or ride the 4-wheeler to the hilltop and watch the deer graze in the sunset.
Imagine all this with a quick 10-minute drive to grocery stores, gas stations, award winning restaurants and Interstate 79. In addition to the peace of mind that comes from going off the grid with completely independent water wells and power. The farm has the advantage public water, sewer and electricity for added convenience, certainly from a development standpoint.
Property Highlights:
373 +/- acres of diverse farm and managed woodland-wildlife land
Large flat and gently rolling open fields suitable for hay, crops, and livestock grazing
130 +/- Acres fenced pasture with flat and gently rolling fields and some steeper areas
110+/- Acres of abundant forest resources with reliable timber income
Option for organic farming, hydroponics, and composting
Option for onsite staff or tenant farmer in existing dwelling
Excellent hunting, camping and recreation opportunities
Development opportunity featuring multiple dream homesites
4,000 +/- Feet of paved frontage and West Fork River frontage
1,800 +/- Feet of paved road (Bennett Road, main entrance)
Potential restoration or retrofit of 34x180 horse barn, racetracks, and training facilities
Potential renovation of Revolutionary Era historic homestead without limitation
Solid long-term investment considering land appreciation, agriculture income and future development
Location Location Location:
Superior access by state-maintained roads I-79, US 33, Corridor H and US 19
10 minutes to Weston for gas, grocery, museums, and award-winning restaurants
Between Weston and Jacksons Mill, the boyhood home of Civil War General Stonewall Jackson, now WVU Jacksons Mill Conference Center & State 4-H Camp.
New bridge replacement of 4th Street Bridge in Weston for heavy commercial access
Close to Stonewall Jackson Lake & Resort, Arnold Palmer Golf Course, Stonecoal Lake
4-hour drive from Washington, DC
Helicopter-friendly with no flight restrictions
18 miles from Upshur County Regional Airport and FBO, 28 miles from North Central West Virginia Airport with regular direct flights to Charlotte NC, Orlando FL and more
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