In 1763, the nearby Muddy Creek settlements were destroyed by Shawnee Indians under Chief Cornstalk and it was not until 1777 that the town was settled by Elder John Alderson, a frontier missionary for whom the town was named. It was here he founded the first Baptist church in the Greenbrier Valley and later a Baptist seminary that was later moved north to become Alderson-Broaddus College at Philippi, WV.

The Federal Reformatory for Women, the first federal prison for women, was established here in 1927. The town is renowned for its annual Independence Day festival, which was acknowledged by West Virginia Living Magazine as the states Best Independence Day Celebration in 2012.

Alderson, WV, today is largely a residential community with retail establishments in its downtown historic district. These serve the many camps and vacation homes along the Greenbrier River and tourists visiting the surrounding countryside. Commerce and property values are increasing as a result of increased tourism and the sheer beauty of the river and surrounding farms. Alderson itself contains many fine homes from the turn of the 20th Century, many of which are in mint condition, never having been altered from their well-tended, original appearance.

The town of Alderson has been an active community for generations. Boasting the largest and most popular 4th of July day parade in the state is hosted by the Town of Alderson. Aldersons amenities include churches, elementary school, motel, bank, Dollar General, Family Dollar, gas/convenience stores, medical clinic, pharmacy, and restaurants. Alderson is located along the Greenbrier River in Greenbrier County and Monroe County, incorporated in 1881. Alderson was originally settled in 1777 by Elder John Alderson, a frontier missionary for whom the town is named Alderson is also home to Camp Cupcake, the minimum-security federal prison where Martha Stewart spent her vacation.

WATER RESOURCES

THE GREENBRIER RIVER

The lower Greenbrier River possesses the excitement of life on one of the nations great wild rivers. The focus of a vast outdoor-recreation destination, it flows untamed out of the lofty Alleghenies, attracting anglers, paddlers, and naturalists from across the globe.

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest undammed river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail-trail that runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with many of the important cities in the watershed being established river ports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration, and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.