Dry Hill – Prosperity
Country Life Program in WV
In late June of 1911, West Virginia State University held an agricultural conference. The keynote lecture was focused on the emerging Country Life Movement, spearheaded by President Theodore Roosevelt in Washington DC. The Industrial Revolution, increased immigration, and urbanization had transformed every facet of the American landscape, including farming. Many Americans left their homes in rural parts of the country to forge new lives in the ever-expanding cities, and those who stayed saw a decline in both social and economic wellbeing.177 Famers were a hugely important part of the American economy, but they were not a unified group and held very little sociopolitical clout.
The Country Life movement sought to combat the growing dissatisfaction in farming communities and to stem the number of Americans abandoning the profession. Pitched as “making farming more profitable and farm life more attractive,” the Country Life movement sought to form unified communities in rural spaces that would fulfill the social and economic needs of farmers.178 Agricultural development and improvement had long been at the forefront of West Virginians’ minds. WVU was originally founded under the name Agricultural College of West Virginia in 1867, and established its Agricultural Experiment Station in 1888.179 This experiment station, which utilized hundreds of acres of farmland near the school, not only specialized in agriculture, but also ran experiments regarding livestock, dairy, soil management and enrichment, and horticulture. Focusing on scientific farming practices and agricultural education, WVU was a hub for the Country Life movement in the state.
177 (Wayback Machine)
178 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Supervision Week At West VA. University, August 31, 1911, 8)
179 (Agricultural education in WV, a 1923 update – Appalachian History)
Image: First Agricultural Experiment Station building, remodeled from West Virginia University’s Armory, 1888-89.
The Country Life movement was concerned not only with making farming as profitable as possible, but also with enriching the academic, social, and practical aspects of rural life. The establishment of the West Virginia University Extension Service, which would soon support 4-H, the establishment of community and county farm bureaus, and the organization of community clubs all fell under the umbrella of the Country Life movement.
The Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Group was formed May 20, 1954. Previously, the communities of Prosperity and Dry Hill were independent, with their own Country Life groups.180 However, because of their proximity and common needs, the groups decided to formally merge. With the Beckley Chamber of Commerce as a parent organization, the Dry Hill-Prosperity group quickly became one of the most successful Country Life groups in the area.181 Once combined, the group was able to sponsor tuberculosis x-ray screenings for the community, sponsoring and organizing boy scout troops, and hosting baby clinics.182
The group held monthly meetings, sponsored fairs, and organized community improvement initiatives, all without a permanent meeting space.183 Entirely through community fundraising efforts and ticket sales to Country Life group events, Dry Hill-Prosperity raised enough money to purchase six acres of land for a community center.184 By the end of 1955, the group’s board purchased a tract of land between Dry Hill and Prosperity from New River Company for $500.185
180 (Beckley Post Herald, Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Joined, May 21, 1954, 12)
181 (Beckley Post Herald And Raleigh Register, Honor Mention Awarded to Three, April 17, 1955, 15)
182 (Raleigh Register, Country Life Group To Sponsor BS Group, May 2, 1956, 5 and Beckley post Herald, Baby Clinic Tomorrow, October 25, 1957, 17)
183 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Dry Hill-Prosperity Set Country Life Meet Friday, July 28, 1954, 5 and Beckley Raleigh Register, Horse Show New Attraction At Dry Hill-Prosperity Fair, September 8, 1954, 5 and Post Herald, Awards Set Up For Best Yards, April 14, 1955, 12)
184 (Raleigh register, Groups to Discuss Purchase of Land, December 6, 1955, 10)
185 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Raleigh Deeds, December 24, 1955, 5)
The group planned to construct a temporary building on the site while they raised $20,000 for a permanent structure.186 In true Country Life fashion, over 40 community members came together to begin construction themselves.187 The work, which was done on a “free and voluntary basis,” was completed by local masons, employees of the Houchins Manufacturing Co., and Country Life members.188 The community was hopeful for a pond, picnicking area, and bridle path soon after the completion of the center.
To help fund the project, the Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Group began selling cinderblocks. As a way to do a “good turn” for their community, people could “purchase” blocks for 25 cents, essentially sponsoring a block that would be used in construction.189 Every “purchaser” then received a commemorative card for their donation. By late September, the bones of the building were complete and the group was raising funds for a roof and by November, were installing a concrete floor and heating system.190 The following year, 6.57 additional acres were purchased for a playground, picnic tables, bridle paths, and space for horse shows.191
This focus on providing space for equine recreation set Dry Hill-Prosperity apart from other Raleigh County parks, and enabled the hosting of livestock exhibits and community fairs. The distinctive bowl shape that runs the perimeter of the park is a remnant of its past in horse showing. Dry Hill-Prosperity even had their own Horse Show Committee who oversaw infrastructural improvements to the space.192
(Post Herald and Register, Community Fair Horse Show Events Are Scheduled, August 11, 1957, 10).
186 (Beckley Raleigh Register, 550 Attend Barbecue; Group Realizes $300, July 19, 11)
187 (Post Herald And Register, Volunteers Lay Blocks, Dry Hill. Prosperity Begin Building Community Center, August 12, 1956, 1)
188 ibid
189 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Community Residents Conduct Finance Drive, August 16, 19056, 4
190 (Post Herald, Chicken Barbecue Scheduled Today, September 27, 1956, 5 and Beckley Post Herald, Turkey Dinner Set For Friday, November 15, 1956, 7)
191 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Enlargement Plans Scheduled For Dry Hill-Prosperity Park, June 14, 1957, 3)
192 (Post Herald and Register, Community Fair Horse Show Events Are Scheduled, August 11, 1957, 10)
Because Dry Hill-Prosperity was formed by the Country Life movement, its activities and initiatives were very closely tailored to the needs of its members. This can be seen in the wide variety of events held on the property, particularly in the late fall and winter months when the community center would be otherwise unused. In addition to continuing community health initiatives such as a monthly baby wellness clinic sponsored by the group, Dry Hill-Prosperity supported craft fairs and exhibitions, adult educational programming, and even a community library.193
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Group remained a steadfast presence in Raleigh County. In the 70s, they even began hosting rodeos, bringing in performers from across the country.194 The American Country Life Association continued to hold annual meetings through the 1970s, discussing rural progress, farm life, and human impacts on agriculture.195
In the 1980s and 90s, participation in the Country Life Group began to wane. While events still took place at the community center, the site slowly transitioned from a group hub to a more traditional neighborhood park. The Country Life Movement itself was considered outdated and old-fashioned. With ever-increasing modernization and industrialization, the Country Life Movement felt at-odds with the American drive for progress. In many communities, the Country Life Movement failed to survive past World War II. However, Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Group’s dedication to continued service for their community was both enduring and inspiring.
In 2010, Dry Hill-Prosperity Country Life Program officially sold the property to Raleigh County Parks and Recreation Authority for the sum of $10. The site, including all buildings and equipment, was officially named Dry Hill-Prosperity Community Park as a way to honor the rich history of the park.
193 (Beckley Raleigh Register, Country Life Group To Sponsor Clinic For Dry Hill-Prosperity, October 10, 1957, 3 and Beckley Raleigh Register, Examining An Beckley Raleigh Register, Examining An Exhibit…, November 5, 1957, 5. Exhibit…, November 5, 1957, 5 and Post Herald, Dry Hill Club Will Present Birthday Gifts, March 4, 1958, 3 and Beckley Post Herald, New Library Started At Dry Hill-Prosperity Community Building, March 28, 1958, 15)
194 (Beckley post Herald, Country Life Group Bringing Championship Rodeo To Town, July 11, 1976, 11)
195 (Country Life Movement, Reference).
Today, Dry Hill-Prosperity is the home of RCPRA’s storybook walk. Introduced in 2024, the storybook walk is a space for children to practice their literacy and comprehension skills while enjoying the outdoors. The community building still stands, continuing its legacy as a meeting place for Raleigh County citizens. It can be rented for public and private events and is equipped with a full kitchen and banquet space. People still gather to enjoy the open green space, playground, basketball court, and picnic areas.
