Francis Kotz Farm

Located a short distance west from Wardensville, this home was built in 1860 by Francis Kotz and is a two-story, four-room, Greek Revival brick house. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kotz first arrived on the banks of the Cacapon River in 1854 and remained an active member of the community and local economy until his death in 1887. 

The first building constructed on the farm was a three-story wooden structure that was used as the first home for Francis Kotz’s family and as his wood-working shop. This building was constructed around 1860. The original two-story barn circa 1865 was built with local wood and the seven original stalls were once used for Kotz’s son’s mules in his freight-hauling business. Like most farms from that time, the Kotz farm has an old smokehouse for smoking and storing meat. This one-room building was built around 1865 as well.

Mason, Gary. Beyond the Great North Mountain: A History and Guide, December 15th 2016. Accessed August 1st 2020.

McKeever, Kenna. History of Wardensville, West Virginia, January 1st 1957. Accessed August 1st 2020.