We're turning the clock back to the year 1900.
Imagine the dawn of a new century, the rumble of industry, and the quiet resilience of a community shaping a nation.
At Quarryman's Rest, we're not just restoring a historic laborer home; we're reimagining historic lodging experiences. We are hard at work meticulously recreating an era, inviting you to step directly into the vibrant world of 1900's Bakerton, West Virginia.
More than a stay.
Live through history.
Explore every corner of the house and grounds, drenched in tales of the quarrymen and their families who once lived here. You'll be able to step into the shoes of quarrymen as you uncover their stories. And for the first time, you'll be able to truly interact with the past. Our innovative technology allows you to 'chat' with the quarrymen, receiving 'first-hand accounts' meticulously crafted from decades of research, bringing their lives directly to yours.
Located on the outskirts of Harpers Ferry, the village of Bakerton was once the largest lime producer in the State of West Virginia and one of the largest on the East Coast of the United States.
T his land, rich with marble, iron ore, and limestone, was destined for industry. Quarry operations began here even before the American Revolution, with activity dating back to the 1760s, drawing early settlers eager to stake their claim on its mineral wealth.
By the 1830s, the arrival of the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad sparked a boom, bringing an influx of Irish and German laborers. They found work at sites like the Virginia Ore Bank and quarries owned by families such as the Engles, Knotts, and Flanagans.
The true transformation of this limestone village came in 1889. The Baker brothers from Buckeystown, Maryland, acquired vast tracts of land and established the Washington Building Lime Company, eventually buying out all other local quarries. Their operations quickly scaled, drawing in over 500 men from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, all working to extract the raw materials that built the growing nation. It was this industrial powerhouse that gave the village its enduring name: Bakerton.
Laborers
The Forgotten Heart & Soul of American Industry and Resilience.
W alk through the village of Bakerton today, and you might hear the faint sounds of a past when this quiet community shook with sounds of blasting and train whistles. It was here, from the 18th through the mid-20th centuries, that men pulled minerals from the depths of the earth to build cities and infrastructure all along the East Coast.
And at the heart of it all? The laborers. The families. Ordinary folks with extraordinary grit who rarely made the history books but carried the weight of our nation’s growth on their backs. The limestone and ore beneath their feet didn't just shape the village, but also the country.
These weren't just workers; they were the unsung heroes of American infrastructure. Many were quarrymen who transitioned from the demanding work on the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad, bringing their strength and skill to Bakerton's abundant limestone. From these quarries, limestone was shipped across the East Coast, particularly to bustling Georgetown and Baltimore. It was laid as ballast for the expanding railroads, carefully placed to construct the intricate locks of the C&O Canal, and cemented into the foundations of buildings and roadways that connected a growing country. The laborers of Bakerton were, quite literally, building the United States.
That’s the story behind the Houser-Mahoney House at Quarryman's Rest, added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 28, 2025.
This wasn’t some grand estate; it was a common laborer’s home. Built by a quarryman. Rented by quarrymen. Lived in by the families who kept the heart of Bakerton beating, working sunup to sundown so their children could have more. Its grounds held their laughter, their struggles, and their dreams.
The Baker family is rightfully credited with founding Bakerton and shaping its rapid growth. But this village never would’ve thrived — and could not have existed — without the muscle, skill, and resilience of the laborers and their families.
The Houser-Mahoney House at Quarryman's Rest celebrates and preserves these invaluable contributions of these common laborers in the development of the village of Bakerton and American quarrying and infrastructure.
The stories of laborers have been overlooked. But at Quarryman's Rest, we believe their lives, their resilience, and their monumental contributions deserve to be remembered, honored, and experienced.
We're Matt & Kaila
We're a husband-and-wife team — a jack-of-all-trades and a history buff — on a mission to breathe new life into a nearly forgotten corner of West Virginia. As seventh-generation residents, Harpers Ferry has shaped our family's story for almost 200 years. The area is steeped in rich, colorful history-- and we believe its lesser-known stories deserve to be told.
Together, we're restoring Quarryman’s Rest to its 1900s appearance — not just to preserve the home, but to invite others to back in time. Through immersive lodging and explorative storytelling, we’re honoring Bakerton’s working-class roots, and sharing the everyday lives of those who built a life in the village.
WAITLIST
We can't wait to welcome you to your historic home away from home.
We are chipping away at reconstructing our historic quarryman's home in breathtakingly beautiful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Hop on our exclusive waitlist before our doors open to receive:
- a chance to win a FREE night for two at Quarryman's Rest
- a chance to win one of three fun swag bags
- priority, discounted booking period exclusively for waitlist members
Let's Chat
We are happy to collaborate with organizations, podcasters, businesses, and more to further historic preservation and share the little-known stories of our past in and around Bakerton and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
hello@quarrymansrest.com
Have Bakerton Stories To Share?
We are a listening ear! We are actively searching for more photographs and stories to tell through the Houser-Mahoney House at Quarryman's Rest. Please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, or email us directly to chat about how we can include your stories in the home.