About:

In September of 1974, North Hills Incorporated was founded as a Fayette County, West Virginia, land development company acquiring more than 1000 acres adjacent to US Rt. 19. Three years later, following the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, US Rt. 19 would connect Interstates 79 from Canada to Interstates 64 east and 81 directly south to Florida.

Original members of North Hills group were The Honorable Former WV Senator Pat Hamilton, attorney and statesman; Robert Kelly, land developer; Joe Lewis, land developer; Doug Mooney, attorney; and Harry “Penny” Thomas, civil engineer. These men shared a vision for the future economic growth that would follow the boom in tourism, brought to southern West Virginia by those seeking the thrills found in “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia.

With the advent of this superhighway, more that 16,000 cars travel this system directly through the New River National Park, crossing the New River Gorge Bridge, where camping, hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, spelunking, rappelling, fishing, hunting, snow skiing, tubing, ziplining are just some of the numerous adventure sports available to the enthusiasts.

Spring 2011 brings yet more thrills and excitement as Fayette County welcomes the “Boy Scouts of America, The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, which has acquired 10,600 acres adjoining the New River National Park. This scouting reserve will draw an estimated 50,000 boy scouts and 300,000 visitors to the first boy scout jamboree in West Virginia, scheduled for July 15-24, 2013. Following the inaugural year, the intent is to establish a permanent high adventure base to host an estimated 48,000 each summer. The location of the boy scout reserve at the Glen Jean/Mt. Hope site is “within one day drive of 70 percent of the boy scout population.” 1

Although some of the acreage owned by North Hills Incorporated has been developed into Thousand Oaks and Whispering Oaks, both upscale housing developments, 600 plus acres still remain for development or investment purposes. The property owned by North Hills Incorporated is less than ten minutes to The Summit with easy egress to US Rt. 19.

Current members of North Hills are: The Honorable Former WV Senator Pat Hamilton; Jane Kelly Baugh and Betty Kelly Pike (heirs to the Kelly interest); Joe Lewis; Doug Mooney; and Carroll Early, Elizabeth Fako, and Mary Lynn Flint (heirs to the Thomas interest). Present officers are: President, Doug Mooney; Vice President, Jane Baugh; and Secretary/Treasurer, Charlie Flint.

For information regarding this property, please call 304.237.9220.

 

  1. Sendor, J. October 23, 2010. “Boy Scouts of America: New major donors and jamboree dates announced.” (Electronic Version) Register-Herald, Beckley, WV.