158 ACADEMY LN, Pence Springs, WV, 24962, Pence Springs, WV 24962

ADVANCE NOTICE, More to come! Former Historic Pence Springs Resort Hotel in Almost Heaven, West Virginia. 158 Academy Lane, Pence Springs, WV 24962  140 Acres+/-  The property could be used for many purposes, including Hospitality, Retreat, School, Boutique Hotel, Recovery Center, and much more!  Nestled in the verdant hills of Summers County, West Virginia, the Pence Springs Hotel was once a grand symbol of luxury, health, and prosperity. From its beginnings as a resort for the wealthy elite to its decline and transformation, the hotel's history is interwoven with the story of the famed mineral springs that put this remote part of West Virginia on the map.    The Springs and the Birth of a Resort    Pence Springs, located along the Greenbrier River, was known for its naturally occurring mineral springs, which were believed to have curative properties. Long before the resort era, Indigenous peoples and early settlers alike sought out these waters, attributing them to healing ailments ranging from digestive issues to rheumatism.    The area's rise as a resort destination began in the late 19th century, during the golden age of mineral spas. Wealthy families from cities like Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., flocked to mineral springs resorts in the Appalachian region for relaxation and treatment. Seeing the economic potential, entrepreneurs began investing in hotels and spas near these natural springs.    Around the early 1900s, the Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests who wanted both the mountains' serenity and the mineral waters' reputed health benefits. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.    A Destination for the Wealthy    The hotel flourished in the early decades of the 20th century. Guests arrived by train via the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, which had a stop nearby, making travel more accessible for well-to-do patrons across the East Coast. The resort's mineral baths and social events such as ballroom dances, horseback riding, and fine dining made it a desirable getaway.    One of the most famous aspects of Pence Springs was its bottled water business. The mineral-rich spring water was so highly regarded that it was bottled and shipped across the country and sold in pharmacies as a medicinal tonic. The hotel and the bottling plant provided local employment and boosted the region's economy.    Changes and Reinvention    Like many grand resorts of its era, the Pence Springs Hotel faced difficulties as the Great Depression took its toll in the 1930s. Luxury travel declined, and fewer people could afford to vacation at mineral spring resorts. The hotel struggled, changing hands multiple times over the next few decades.    By the mid-20th century, the once-grand hotel had begun to fade. The rise of the automobile and improved road systems meant travelers no longer relied on rail-accessible destinations. Additionally, the public's faith in mineral waters' medicinal benefits had waned.    Later, in a dramatic shift, the once-glamorous resort became a womens prison, further distancing itself from its past as a place of leisure. O. Ashby Berkeley purchased the property from the State of WV in the 1980s. Berkley renovated the hotel to be used again as a grand country hotel and resort. After Berkley sold the property, an out-of-state firm developed a high-end school for girls. The girl's school was called Greenbrier Girls Academy.    Legacy and the Present Day    Despite the hotel's decline, Pence Springs remains a point of historical interest, mainly due to its mineral springs and the legacy of its heyday as a premier resort. Today, much of the original resort infrastructure is gone, but echoes of its past can still be found in local lore and historical records.    The Pence Springs Flea Market, held near the site of the former hotel, now draws visitors every weekend, continuing the tradition of bringing people to this once-thriving location. While the grand days of the resort have long passed, the name "Pence Springs still evokes an era of elegance, healing waters, and the golden age of West Virginia's mineral spa industry.