HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. (WDVM) – It’s been a bumpy road for a lodging retreat project on one of West Virginia’s most scenic landscapes, but now it’s full speed ahead for the Hill Top House Hotel.
This is a multi-million dollar investment that will bring enormous benefits to the region’s economy. Steeped in history, the site where the Hill Top House stands has been described as “worth a trip across the Atlantic” by Thomas Jefferson. In its heyday, this now dilapidated former hotel hosted Pearl Buck, Carl Sandburg and Alexander Graham Bell.
“They came here to see the natural beauty, they came to appreciate the story of what happened here,” said co-developer Karen Schaufeld. “It’s a place where people should feel inspired.”
Partner Fred Schaufeld is optimistic about this unrivaled location in the Mountain State.
“We think West Virginia, begging, has so much to offer. We think people just need to come experience it, know it, immerse themselves in it. It becomes a beautiful place to stay,” he said.
It was not without a sharp heaving of the launch pad. The former mayor of Harpers Ferry had reservations about the Hill Top House, but the new council is all for it.
“We think this is going to attract people from all over the country and frankly all over the world to come to this part of West Virginia,” Fred Schaufeld said.
Harpers Ferry is so steeped in history. John Brown’s pre-Civil War raid was staged here. But the landscape!
“When you think about the east coast where is the place to come, what is there to see? And it fits so well with the national park, with the natural offerings of this area, hiking, biking on the trails,” Karen Schaufeld said.
The Schaufelds have enlisted some of the world’s top hotel, restaurant and property management partners for this highly anticipated project. They hope to complete the project by the end of 2024.
The State of West Virginia – the Legislature and Governor – has designated the area of this project as a Special District for Tourism, now eligible for economic development grants. Jefferson County Senator Patricia Rucker (right) was the primary sponsor of the measure.
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