Nicholas Switzer House

This historic house dates back to 1778 when Nicholas Switzer, a German-Swiss immigrant to America, constructed the home for his family. Switzer went on to build several other homes in the area, with his initials marking most of them. The porch was added almost exactly one century later and the historic home is known by locals as the "Old Stone Mansion."

The Nicholas Switzer House is located 1 ½ miles from Wardensville and sits on 1.5 acres of land. The two-story house was built in 1778 by Nicholas Switzer, a German-Swiss immigrant. Switzer married Barbara Michael in 1782 and raised 21 children with her. Local lore says the house was built on the site of a log cabin and fort where George Washington stayed while he was surveying the land. It is dated by a signature stone with the initials N.S. and the date of construction. A two-story porch was later constructed in 1880. The house sits on 1.5 acres of woods, perennial gardens, open pasture, and 25 feet of stone outcropping walls along Waites Run Stream. The stream runs into the Cacapon River. The Switzer house is an example of an eighteenth-century stone house that reflects the trends of German-Swiss immigrants at the time. The Nicholas Switzer House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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.

Pierce, Susan M. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, November 12th 2008. Accessed January 23rd 2022. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/daa2c2a4-76e4-46a3-b753-286cf4923e5a.