When people move to a new place, they change the land around them, creating what's called a cultural landscape. This includes buildings, fences, roads, and even the way land is divided or what plants grow there. These changes show how people live, work, and what they value—even if they don’t realize it.

In West Virginia, early settlers like the Scotch-Irish, Germans, and English brought their building styles and farming traditions with them. They built log cabins using local wood and created small farms with barns, smokehouses, and other outbuildings. Some homes had simple one-room designs, while wealthier families built larger two-story houses with an I-shaped floor plan.

Today, fewer people build this way. Instead, we see more modern styles like ranch or split-level homes. Still, old barns, cabins, and place names like “Glasgow” or “Glengary” give clues about early settlers.

Cultural landscapes are everywhere—from country roads to busy cities. Buildings like churches, stores, and factories tell us about people’s jobs, beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds. For example, a coal plant shows that coal mining is important in that area, while the state capitol building, courthouses, and city halls reflect government activity.

Even small choices—like what flowers someone plants or how they decorate their yard—help shape the land around us. When we notice these things, we can “read” the landscape and better understand the history and culture of a place.