Episode 16

Metcalf Bottoms Trail and Walker Sisters Homestead

 

 

Little Gorge River

 

Trailhead across the river from parking lot

 

Follow trail to the left about 50 yards after trailhead

 

Several parts of the trail cross the creek using log bridges

 

Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse built in 1882 by John Walker

 

Inside the schoolhouse with original furniture

 

 

The old cemetery in front of the schoolhouse has many plots of the areas original settlers

 

The climb up to the Walker Sisters homestead starts at the schoolhouse parking lot

 

Since this is also an access road up to the homestead, the path is pretty accessible and wide

 

The original 1850s house and corn crib are two of the three original buildings that still survive. The other is a spring house the sisters used to keep food cool using a natural cold spring.

 

The porch stands empty now, but in the photo below, you will see the sisters kept it full of tools, chairs, and farming implements they used up until 1964.

 

Walker Sisters photo from Saturday Evening Post, 1946