Trail Trivia

As the North Bend Rail Trail web site grows, we will be adding additional tid bits, factoids, etc. in this section. Until then, learn of the founder of the trail, animals you may see along the trail and the ghost story of the Silver Run Tunnel!

Trails like North Bend do not just 'fall together' by chance. In this matter, Richard 'Dick' Bias, was the founder of one of the nation's finest  rail trail conversions. A true pioneer, Bias asked if something could be done with the abandoned CSX corridor between Wilsonburg and Walker in 1988.

Assuming the role of volunteer, from that day until his death in 1995, Bias dedicated himself to the creation, development and promotion of the North Bend Rail Trail. He was remarkably successful. After creating the NBRT Foundation, he led negotiations with CSX which resulted in the purchase of the corridor in 1991.

Bias personally raised the majority of the $350,000 that funded the initial development of the project, and helped pioneer new concepts for rail trail and small business development. This trail was not built on consumer demand, but with the design to 'draw' the consumer. It worked, and we're making it better!

 The Dick Bias Endowment Fund represents a continuing commitment, growing through contributions in the hopes of eventually providing a secure and steady source of funding for the trail!

Today, you can pass through the Dick Bias Tunnel (No.10), bored from solid rock , and be reminded of the steadfast determination it required to make this a reality. And in many ways, it inspires us toward whatever our dream may be.

The Ghost of the Silver Run Tunnel The history of the B&O Railroad corridor between Grafton and Parkersburg is illuminated with colorful stories about rail workers and the people who lived along the railroad in Harrison, Doddridge, Ritchie and Wood Counties. The Legend of The Ghost of Silver Run Tunnel (No. 19), is one of great mystery and not easily dismissed as superstition. History has recorded several crossings of the 'lovely girl phantom' and the engineers of the old B&O Railroad. They had witnessed "a beautiful woman with raven hair and long white gown, standing in the middle of the tracks at the far end of the tunnel." Facts substantiate, that in the late 1880s a young lady (whose name is lost to time), disappeared from the night train making her way to Parkersburg to be married. One instance had the engineer bringing his train to a screeching halt, and yet another, running his train directly through the ghostly apparition. After reaching Parkersburg, he was informed that telegraph messages from all along the line had reported "that a young woman in a white gown was riding on the cowcatcher", but no one was to be found. This only strengthened the belief that the phantom woman did indeed exist. You can hear the full story of the ghost of the Silver Run Tunnel at the National Trails Day Festival the first weekend of June each year at North Bend State Park. American Discovery Trail The American Discovery Trail (ADT) is a 6,300 mile coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail that includes North Bend. It is a new concept in providing better access and connecting communities with the wonders of pristine wilderness, while educating and promoting physical activity. It also joins North Bend to some of West Virginia's world famous outdoor havens at Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley. Currently, the ADT is now being considered for the nation's first National Discovery Trail. A new classification of recreational trail, National Discovery Trails will help define the evolution of trails in the 21st century. Literally bringing it to the people, they will link our cultural, historical and natural treasures like never before. North Bend may soon be able to claim three separate federal designations, which now includes National Millennium Trail and National Recreation Trail. Please click on the American Discovery Trail link to learn more about this exciting endeavor.