Eagle Rocks and William Eagle Gravesite

Eagle Rocks are a locally famous rock formation in Smoke Hole canyon, a feature of the land cut by the South Branch of the Potomac River. Located near Upper Tract, Smoke Hole is renowned for a smokey fog that emanates from the river. Eagle Rocks are named after William Eagle, who enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776. His grave is across the river from the rock formation to which he lends his name.

Pendleton County is famous for Seneca Rocks, which are the most prominent of the many rock formations throughout the county. Another locally renowned formation are the Eagle Rocks, which are a part of Smoke Hole canyon. Smoke Hole most likely gets its name from the smokey mist created by the low-lying South Branch of the Potomac River that cut the gorge over millions of years. The Eagle Rocks get their name from William Eagle, whose grave rests on the opposite side of the South Branch among the trees at the foot of the canyon.

William Eagle enlisted in 1776 at the age of 15 and served throughout the war, returning to Pendleton County. He died in 1846. Locals continue to maintain the gravesite.

Although what we today call Pendleton County was sparsely populated during America's revolutionary period, locals served in the Continental Army in a number of ways. Along with William Eagle, John Champe (the namesake for nearby Champe Rocks) also served in the Continental Army.

Smoke Hole Canyon , Accessed August 22nd, 2022. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=9916.