Harlan Spring Historic District
Harlan Spring, Hedgesville, WVThe Harlan Spring District is significant for its early settlement. George Harlan a Quaker, settled here in the 1740s and was one of the early settlers of this area of Berkeley County. It has a further significance in demonstrating the social-humanitarian relationship. Spring Hill Has been in the direct line of George Harlan since the first survey of land in 1751. The Willow has been in the direct line of the Sybert family since the land was purchased by John Sybert from Daniel Harlan in 1806. There are 7 buildings that are all significant for their type of architecture: The Spring Hill house, a log house originally built in the 1740s. It is one of Berkeley County's oldest buildings. The Cottage is built of log.
The stone smokehouse is very old, ca. 1700s. The Willows was built two times. The stone house was 1812, brick in the 1850s. Both show the style and type of the period. The Lingamfelter house is built of native limestone and shows a type of farm mansion built in the early 1800s. The two stone spring houses located at the foot of the hill all blend with the Harlan Spring, its ponds with three sides surrounded by the ancient mansions on the hilltops for a most unusual picturesque setting. A further significance of its architectural landscaping is evident by the log cottage partially secluded behind a hill but yet still visible. A further significance is its association with the Revolutionary War and Indian uprisings (French & Indian War). In the 1750s tradition has come down that Spring Hill was attacked by the Indians. One of the small Harlan children was captured by them. They beat the child's brains out on a rock in front of the house. George Harlan's son, Silas 1753-1782, left Spring Hill with Jim Herrod and his men. He commanded a company under Gen. Roger Clark's Illinois in 1779. He was killed in the battle of Blue Lick Spring Kentucky in 1782. James, another son of George Harlan, also served in the Revolutionary War.
Social-humanitarian significance demonstrated that the Sibert and Harlan families have lived and associated together here at these springs for over 170 years benefiting each other's welfare.
The area has been designated as a historic district because of its survival of three early farmhouses with their dependencies and its outstanding early architectural landscape.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.