This gravel road was recently constructed to give the Wetzel County 4-H Camp access to the nearly 62 acres left to them by Robert Woods.

Robert Woods was a life-long resident of Wetzel County. For many years he was a shorthorn cattle farmer who enjoyed raising and showing his prize-winning cattle. When he passed away Sept. 4, 2009, at the age of 85, he was able to honor a long-kept promise and help the community, too. In his will he honored his first wife’s request and generously willed 61.97 acres of his property to the Wetzel County 4-H program.

The property adjoins the 4-H grounds and is presently being made ready for use by 4-H groups. Woods’ first wife, Eve Mae Yost Woods, was very fond of the 4-H program and the two wanted to donate property to Wetzel County.

For several months the Wetzel County Commission and Attorney Timothy Haught have been in conversation working out the details of Woods’ will. The property was recently surveyed to specify what land went to the county and what remained with Wood’s second wife, Betty Summers Woods. Through such appropriation, a quit claim deed was filed with Betty and now the county is working to make the land ready for use.

To help make the property accessible, Chesapeake Energy recently donated 300 tons of gravel to lay the road leading to the property. No immediate plans have been made at this time as to how the property will be used.