The West Virginia Central & Pittsburg Railway started in 1866 and was led by U.S. Senator and businessman Henry Gassaway Davis. His goal was to connect coal and timber resources in the mountains to world markets.

Construction began in 1880 from Cumberland, Maryland, and reached Elkins by 1889. The railroad helped open up central West Virginia’s natural resources.

It followed rivers and mountain paths to reach towns like Thomas, Parsons, and Elkins, with branches to nearby communities. Davis also built extensions to Charleston and Durbin. In 1902, he sold the railroad, and by 1905 it became part of the Western Maryland Railway.