We are the third generation of Harman’s to offer accommodations for guests. As a family, we appreciate the beauty of the rocks and winding river that makes this location so special.

In 1939 Fred and Thermae Harman started the North Fork Cottages. During the next 10 years, their family grew as they lived in Cottage #1. Their children Peggy Lou, Nancy Lee, Penny Lynn and Fred Jr were all born in the cottages. In 1949 the Fred, Thermae and their children outgrew Cottage #1. Cottage #1 was booked for the first time June 1941.

In 1971 Penny Harman started managing the day to day operations of the cottages. The cottages were rented daily and weekly to families and fisherman. At the end of their vacation many customers would book the same week next year. During the next few years, the cabins underwent many major improvements. At the back of the cabin lot a block shower house was constructed. The shower house cut down on the number of public baths that were taken at the “fishing hole.” Eventually, an indoor shower was constructed in cottage #1, electric or gas stoves replaced antique 3 burner gas hot plates. During the winter months, “tin” stoves or a fireplace heated the cottages. During the summer months, breezes through screen porches, doors and windows cooled the cottages.

During the early 1980’s, daily and weekly reservations were changed to annual leases. The Neptunes, Halls, Phillips, Stanleys, Robinsons & Pharses leased the cottages annually for the next 5 years. In November 1985 the great flood of West Virginia forever changed the cabin lot. As pictured below, the flood destroyed cottages, land, and trees. The flood of ‘85’ was devastating. As seen today, the floodwaters would have reached the top of the block wall between Cottage #1(Rainbow Trout) and Cottage #2(Smallmouth Bass). The only cottage not destroyed is pictured below. In early 1987 we started rebuilding. Fred Roby, Rodney Turner and David Redman constructed 4 cottages during the spring and summer of 1987. By the end of 1987 the Halls, Neptunes, Volmers and Robinsons & Phares were leasing our cottages again. For over the years these families have been spending vacations with us. If you have the pleasure of meeting one of the family members, it will be a great experience. They lived through the good times and bad. Their family memories and stories are as much apart of the “cabin lot” as the rocks, river and trees. In each cottage you will find a book “The Teacher’s Shadow” written by Kevin Hall documenting some of the days spent at Harman’s with his father.

In October 1995 we destroyed cottage #3 by fire. It had stood for over 50 years. In its place The Golden Trout was constructed. Fred Roby managed a crew from October 1995 to May 1996 on the three new log cottages. All three cottages were booked their first weekend of availability. The Harman wedding party booked the cottages. The marriage ceremony of Angelina and Todd Harman was performed on the deck overlooking the river May 18, 1996.

On September 3, 2000 Fred & Todd waded across the North Fork River to begin planning for an expansion into Hopeville Canyon. The water can be cold in September. On the trip cabin layout, roads, and bridge location were discussed. After the trip, a picture of the expansion was quickly sketched to capture the dream. A

The Hopeville Canyon construction started the Summer of 2001 with bridge construction finished in September. Seven new log cabins were delivered in November, then constructed during the winter months and ready for customers March 2002.

Our dreams and history continue with friends from the past present and future. May God bless you and your family as He has blessed our family.