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74-754: The Greenbrier is a luxury resort located in the Allegheny Mountains near White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, West Virginia , in the United States. Since 1778, visitors have traveled to this part of the state to "take the waters" of the area. Today, the Greenbrier is situated on 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) of land with 710 guest rooms, 20 restaurants and lounges, more than 55 indoor and outdoor activities and sports, and more than 35 retail shops. The current Greenbrier

148-547: A nuclear holocaust . The classified, underground facility, named " Project Greek Island ", was built at the same time as the West Virginia Wing, an above-ground addition to the hotel, from 1959 to 1962. Although for 30 years the bunker was kept stocked with supplies, it was never used as an emergency location, even during the Cuban Missile Crisis . The existence of the bunker was not acknowledged by

222-482: A relocation center for Axis diplomats who were in the United States and had been interned as enemies of the United States. The first detainees were Germans; later, they were joined by Japanese diplomats previously interned at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia . The hotel served as a diplomatic detention center until July 8, 1942. The hotel briefly reopened for the 1942 season, but was soon commandeered by

296-537: A sports medicine facility to be headed by orthopedic surgeon James Andrews . Construction of the first stage began in May 2012. The project was intended to establish relationships with professional sports teams, as the resort wanted to attract a National Football League team that would hold its annual training camp at the Greenbrier. In March 2014, the New Orleans Saints and the hotel reached agreement on

370-585: A charity. Macdonald walked away with $ 500,000 for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps . The Greenbrier is used as a setting in the 1933 film Mary Stevens, M.D. 37°47′07″N 80°18′30″W  /  37.7854°N 80.3083°W  / 37.7854; -80.3083 Resort hotel These hotels as destinations may be characterized by distinctive architecture, upscale lodgings, ballrooms, large conference facilities, restaurants, and recreation activities such as golf or skiing. They may be located in

444-413: A fit of rage. Shue's body was exhumed, and based on the results of an autopsy, Edward Shue was tried and convicted of murder. A historical marker located along U.S. Route 60 at Sam Black Church describes it as the "[o]nly known case in which testimony from [a] ghost helped convict a murderer." During the decade prior to World War II , several Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were located along

518-640: A government site. In the June 2016 floods that affected the state of West Virginia, Greenbrier County suffered 16 casualties, the most of any county. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,025 square miles (2,650 km ), of which 1,020 square miles (2,600 km ) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km ) (0.5%) is water. It is the second-largest county in West Virginia by area. Much of

592-662: A hotel. During the years of the Cold War , a large underground bunker was built beneath a section of new construction at the hotel, to serve as a secret Congressional refuge in case of nuclear attack. It was one of the sites to be used as part of the United States Continuity of Operations Plan . After it was reported in a 1992 article, following the fall of the Soviet Union, the US government decommissioned it as

666-476: A household in the county was $ 26,927, and the median income for a family was $ 33,292. Males had a median income of $ 26,157 versus $ 19,620 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,247. About 14.50% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 35,480 people, 15,443 households, and 9,903 families residing in

740-402: A place to stay were offered rooms in the hotel. The hotel reopened on July 12, 2016, with several amenities, including an off-road Jeep trail, several walking trails, and the falconry operation, which had been closed for the year. With Justice's election as Governor of West Virginia in 2017, his daughter Jill took over day-to-day control of the Greenbrier. Financial woes have continued into

814-471: A three-year deal. The hotel committed to build three football fields and other facilities for the Saints, at an estimated cost of $ 20–25 million, adjacent to the medical facilities. The project was to be partially subsidized by tax breaks recently approved by the state legislature , with an estimated value of $ 25 million over 10 years. The relationship between the hotel and the Saints reportedly developed after

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888-559: A variety of settings from major cities to remote locations. Since the 1800s, the traditional concept full-service conference and resort hotels have been based upon a venue which is typically remote and has a natural feature as its attraction. For example, the Kviknes Hotel in Norway is a difficult to reach remote location which provides visitors access to the scenic fjord at Balestrand or The Brando Resort on Tetiaroa which

962-418: A visit by Saints head coach Sean Payton to the 2013 Greenbrier Classic golf tournament to play in its pro-am competition and then to serve as caddie for his friend, PGA Tour player Ryan Palmer . After three seasons (during which the Saints praised the Greenbrier's facilities but finished with a 7–9 record every year), the Saints did not renew their contract with the hotel. The Houston Texans took over

1036-646: Is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 32,977. Its county seat is Lewisburg . The county was formed in 1778 from Botetourt and Montgomery counties in Virginia . Prior to the arrival of European-American settlers around 1740, Greenbrier County, like most of West Virginia, was used as a hunting ground by the Shawnee and Cherokee nations. They called this land Can-tuc-kee . Shawnee leaders, including Pucksinwah and later his son Tecumseh , were alarmed by

1110-474: Is a fictionalized life story of the interior decorator Dorothy Draper during her redesign of the Greenbrier, published by HarperCollins . The historical fiction novel In the Shadow of the Greenbrier , by Emily Matchar , tells the story of four generations of a Jewish family living near the Greenbrier during key moments in the resort's history. It was published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2024. The Greenbrier

1184-572: Is appointed by the Board, provides administrative supervision for the system. The School Board Office is located on Church Street in Lewisburg . Following a trend in West Virginia, schools at the secondary level are consolidated, while elementary schools continue to be located within small communities. Greenbrier Valley Airport is a single runway airport 3 miles north of Lewisburg, West Virginia . Flights are provided by Contour Airlines . Amtrak ,

1258-633: Is governed by a three-person, elected County Commission. Other elected officers include the Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, Prosecuting Attorney, Surveyor, and three Magistrates. Greenbrier County Schools is the operating school system within Greenbrier County. The school system is governed by the Greenbrier County Board of Education, which is elected on a non-partisan basis. The Superintendent of Schools, who

1332-492: Is only accessible by a private plane from Tahiti . Historically there were certain built-in amenities such as gourmet cuisine , music recitals , and shoreline trails ; however, the amenities of modern (post-1980) destination hotels dwarf the scale of these earlier models. Many of the Las Vegas and Caribbean resort hotels have complete shopping malls , conference centers and large entertainment halls on site; thus,

1406-664: The Civil War , the property changed hands between forces of the Confederate Army and the Union Army , who almost burned the resort to the ground. Following the Civil War, the resort reopened under Confederate States of America Major Cornelius Boyle . It became a place for many Southerners and Northerners alike to vacation. It was the setting for some notable post-war reconciliations. The "White Sulphur Manifesto",

1480-640: The Greenbrier River . For most of the 20th century, the Meadow River Lumber Company operated the world's largest hardwood sawmill in Rainelle . During World War II The Greenbrier hotel was used as a military hospital. Sections were used as an internment center for Axis diplomats who were stranded in the United States during the war. When the war ended, the military returned the hotel to private control, and it re-opened as

1554-704: The Las Vegas Strip are most typically thought of as mega-resorts owing to their immense size and complexity. Kirk Kerkorian is credited for building the first mega-resort in 1969 earning him the nickname "father of the mega-resort". Two projects in Las Vegas in 1969 and 1973 by architect Martin Stern, Jr. and entrepreneur Kirk Kerkorian , the International Hotel and the MGM Grand, set

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1628-564: The Russian mining company, Mechel , based in Moscow . The Marriott Corporation asserted that it had a valid contract to purchase the hotel, and expected to see that contract honored. However, Justice ultimately settled with Marriott. The bankruptcy judge dismissed the case on May 19, 2009, clearing the way for Justice's purchase of the property. The resort was closed briefly after the 2016 West Virginia flood ; however, flood victims who needed

1702-536: The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts feature multiple hotels, multiple theme parks, a shopping complex , and other features. Other mega-resorts exist with no specific centerpiece, having many features that are considered prominent, such as Atlantis Paradise Island and its upcoming sister park in Dubai . Greenbrier County, West Virginia Greenbrier County ( / ˈ ɡ r iː n b r aɪ . ər / )

1776-426: The colonial period, including a raid on Fort Randolph and later on Fort Donnally, then inhabited by 25 men and 60 women and children. One of the heroic defenders of Fort Donnally was an African American slave named Dick Pointer . Pointer, said to have been nearly 7 feet (2.1 m) tall, defended the log door with Philip Hamman, giving the settlers enough time to awaken and defend themselves. Pointer later addressed

1850-478: The state itself, the county has shifted further the right since the start of the 21st Century with Bill Clinton being the last presidential candidate to win the county in 1996 . It had still had gone for Democratic candidates on other elections until the mid to late 2010s such as the 2016 gubernatorial election , and in 2018 by Joe Manchin in the Senate race. Like all West Virginia Counties, Greenbrier County

1924-487: The 2020s. Ownership of the Greenbrier has been used as collateral for loans taken out by the Justice family, including to both Carter Bank & Trust as well as a $ 50 million loan from JPMorgan Chase . Tax liens have been placed on other Justice properties for non-payment of taxes as well. The Justices have been in court several times for non-payment of debts, suggesting that bailing out the property might not be easy for

1998-572: The Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C. , was among the illustrious guests planning the Allied effort for resources allocation. The U.S., Mexican, and Canadian leaders met at the Greenbrier in 1955 for international discussions. In the late 1950s, the U.S. government approached the Greenbrier for assistance in creating a secret emergency relocation center to house Congress in the aftermath of

2072-407: The Greenbrier for generations. Beginning in 1778, Mrs. Anderson, a local pioneer, adopted the local Native American tradition of "taking the waters" to relieve her chronic rheumatism . Based on this resource, for the first 125 years, the resort was known by the name White Sulphur Springs. It was a destination for people during the summers who wanted to escape coastal heat and diseases. The property

2146-428: The Greenbrier in 1913. That original course is today known as "The Old White TPC". The historic Old White Hotel structure was demolished in 1922 because it failed to meet then-current fire codes. In 1931, completion of the north wing, crossing the original 1913 wing like a "T", nearly doubled the size of the hotel. Just after the United States entered World War II , the resort was called on December 17, 1941, to serve as

2220-521: The Greenbrier opened on July 2, 2010 with a celebrity gala. In 2013, the casino added simulcast horse racing and associated betting to its offerings. Twenty-eight presidents have been hosted at the Greenbrier. The Presidents' Cottage Museum is a two-story building with exhibits about these visits and the history of the Greenbrier. The building is open seasonally. The resort has a significant place in golf history. The original nine holes were designed by Alexander H. Findlay . In 1944, Sam Snead became

2294-526: The Montague family. The famous "Greenbrier Ghost" trial occurred at Sam Black Church. Zona Heaster Shue, the wife of Edward Shue, was found dead on January 23, 1897. The coroner initially listed her cause of her death as "everlasting faint", then as "childbirth." Shue's mother, Mary Jane Heaster, testified in court that her daughter's ghost had visited her on four separate occasions, claiming that her neck had been broken by her husband, who had strangled her in

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2368-704: The Ohio. Confrontations, sometimes violent, increased between the Native Americans and settlers. In 1774, the Earl of Dunmore , then governor of the colonies of New York and Virginia , decided to raise an army of 3,000 men to attack the Shawnees in their homeland in present-day Ohio. Half of these men were inducted at Fort Pitt , while the other half assembled at Fort Union under the command of General Andrew Lewis . The town of present-day Lewisburg developed around

2442-652: The Senior PGA Tour (now the PGA Tour Champions ) was held from 1985 through 1987 . The PGA Tour came to the hotel in 2010 with the Greenbrier Classic . After two years of being held on the last weekend of July, the tournament obtained the more favorable date of the first weekend in July, starting in 2012 . On March 28, 2011, The Old White Course became a TPC course. The 2016 event

2516-437: The U.S. Army for use as a hospital. The Army paid $ 3.3 million for the property, which had been valued at $ 5.4 million, and took over control of the property on September 1, 1942. They converted the resort to a 2000-bed hospital, known as Ashford General Hospital , named for Bailey Ashford , a noted Army doctor. The hospital opened on October 16, 1943. It treated nearly 25,000 patients before closing on June 30, 1946. The property

2590-579: The Union and an equal amount to the Confederate army, with approximately 2,000 men from Greenbrier county joining the Confederate army . In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships , with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts . Greenbrier County

2664-658: The Virginia General Assembly and gave a moving appeal that "in the decline of life" he requested to be freed for his defense of Fort Donnally. Historic accounts differ as to whether the legislature granted his wish. His grave is marked beside Carnegie Hall in the county seat of Lewisburg , and a historical marker stands prominently in the midst of the Lewisburg Cemetery. Pointer's gun is on permanent display at The Greenbrier Historical Society and John A. North House Museum in Lewisburg . During

2738-459: The area of the northern and western parts of the county is either public ( Monongahela National Forest ), coal land, or private forest, owned by companies such as MeadWestvaco and CSX . In 2005, Invenergy , LLC of Chicago Illinois announced plans to build the $ 300 million, 124- turbine Beech Ridge Wind Farm along the tops of several Greenbrier County mountains. The wind farm would produce 186 megawatts of electricity. Development, which

2812-557: The arrival of the European settlers, who by 1771 had set up extensive trade in the area. The day books of early merchants Sampson and George Mathews recorded sales to the Shawnee that included such luxury items as silk, hats, silver, and tailor-made suits. Shawnee leaders feared the loss of their hunting lands, which were vital to their survival. They believed the white settlers would continue to encroach on their territory downriver on

2886-400: The bankruptcy protection. Justice promised to return the hotel to its former status as a five-star resort and to introduce "tasteful" gambling for guests to increase profit. The Greenbrier Hotel Corp. today operates as a subsidiary of Justice's company. The last U.S. president to stay at the Greenbrier during a presidency was Dwight D. Eisenhower . A total of 28 presidents have stayed at

2960-417: The contemporary version of a destination often features large on-site capital investment in activities, although the access to a local natural feature is still retained by many newer destination hotels. A mega-resort is a type of destination which is of an exceptionally large size, sometimes featuring large-scale attractions ( casino , golf course , theme park , multiple accommodations ). The hotels along

3034-578: The county in mid 1861, and several battles were fought in the area, including Lewisburg in May 1862 and White Sulphur Springs in August 1863. Both battles were Union victories. Greenbrier County became part of the new state of West Virginia, although it never participated in any of the votes held by the Restored Government in Wheeling . West Virginia contributed approximately 20,000 men to

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3108-413: The county. The population density was 34.8 inhabitants per square mile (13.4/km ). There were 18,980 housing units at an average density of 18.6 units per square mile (7.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% white, 2.8% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of

3182-414: The county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km ). There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 95.23% White , 3.04% Black or African American , 0.34% Native American , 0.19% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.15% from other races , and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.68% of

3256-411: The current bath wing, which opened in 1911. The C&O's improvements culminated with the construction of a colossal six-story, 250-room hotel building, which forms the central wing of today's hotel. Designed by British-born American architect Frederick Julius Sterner , it opened on September 25, 1913. At this time, what had for decades been a summer establishment was converted to a year-round resort, and

3330-477: The exterior and interior of the Greenbrier, including the hidden government bunker beneath. Too Many Cooks , the 1938 murder mystery by Rex Stout , takes place at the Kanawha Spa, which is clearly modeled after the Greenbrier. Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are attending a gathering or world renowned chefs, one of whom is murdered. They must identify the killer in order to avoid being detained there while

3404-498: The facilities for their 2017 training camp. The New England Patriots have also held training camp at the Greenbrier. The Spring League, a minor league football organization which evolved into the USFL , held six of the seven games in their inaugural season at the Greenbrier. Set in West Virginia in the aftermath of a nuclear war, the video game Fallout 76 features a location known as "The Whitespring Resort" which strongly resembles

3478-440: The family. In November 2008, county voters narrowly approved a local option referendum that would permit casino -style gambling at the hotel. The rules, regulations, and tax rates were signed into law on May 8, 2009. The Justice family promised that gambling facilities at the resort would be "tasteful" if established. The temporary casino, named "The Tavern Casino", opened on October 1, 2009. The permanent casino, The Casino Club at

3552-532: The fort and was named for that commander. By early October of that year, Lewis' force had marched downstream to the mouth of the Kanawha River . They fought the Battle of Point Pleasant against a Shawnee force led by Hokoleskwa , also known as Cornstalk. This site later developed as the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia . European settlers were subjected to a number of raids by Native Americans during

3626-471: The government; Ted Gup of The Washington Post reported it in a 1992 story. Immediately after publication of the Post story, the government decommissioned the bunker. The facility has since been renovated. It is used as a data storage facility by CSX IP for the private sector . It is featured as an attraction in which visitors can tour the now declassified facilities, known as The Bunker. On March 20, 2009,

3700-524: The head golf professional at Greenbrier and in retirement held the position of the resort's pro emeritus. In the 21st century, that title has been held by Tom Watson and later Lee Trevino . The Greenbrier was the site of the Ryder Cup in 1979 , the first to be contested under the format of United States against Europe, which has been continued to the present. It hosted the Solheim Cup in 1994 ,

3774-552: The hotel, has operated as an executive health facility since 1948. In 1971 it began operating independently from the hotel (although still leasing its facility from the Greenbrier). In 2011, Justice announced an ambitious plan to construct the Greenbrier Medical Institute, a large-scale medical facility with a projected cost of at least $ 250 million, planned to be built in five stages. It was to include

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3848-485: The hotel. The Greenbrier is also the site of a massive underground bunker that was meant to serve as an emergency shelter for the United States Congress during the Cold War . The bunker was code named " Project Greek Island ". A spring of sulphur water is at the center of the resort property. It is surrounded by the white-columned spring house , topped by a green dome that has been the symbol of

3922-411: The local authorities fumble about The Wolfe Pack , the fan club for Nero Wolfe mysteries, has held several gourmet dinners at the Greenbrier in honor of the novel. Entombed , a 2010 novel by Brian Keene , takes place in a fictionalized West Virginia hotel with a bunker beneath. The author states in the afterword that he was inspired by the Greenbrier. The Grand Design , a 2022 novel by Joy Callaway,

3996-422: The name was officially changed to the Greenbrier, after the neighboring county . The neighboring town had incorporated in 1909 and adopted the name White Sulphur Springs , which the resort had previously used. The railroad also introduced the game of golf, which became a defining feature of the resort. The first small course was opened in 1910, and a full 18-hole course, designed by Charles B. Macdonald , opened at

4070-417: The nine remaining townships became magisterial districts. A tenth district, Frankford, was created from part of Falling Spring District between 1910 and 1920. In the 1990s the ten historic magisterial districts were consolidated into three new districts: Eastern, Western, and Central. What is claimed to be the oldest golf course in the United States was founded in 1884 just north of White Sulphur Springs by

4144-486: The only political paper published by Confederate General Robert E. Lee after the Civil War, advocated the merging of the two societies. The resort became a center of regional post-war society, especially after the arrival of the railroad. Beginning in 1869, it provided direct service to the resort's gates. In 1910, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway purchased the resort property, building additional amenities, including

4218-441: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 14,571 households, out of which 27.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

4292-415: The population. In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were Irish, 17.0% were German, 12.0% were English, and 10.0% were American. Of the 15,443 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.9% were non-families, and 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

4366-421: The resort filed for bankruptcy, listing debt of up to $ 500 million and assets of $ 100 million. It had suffered from competition from a wide variety of resorts, and declining traffic since the postwar period as patrons shifted to destinations they could reach by automobile. The resort lost $ 35 million in 2008 and had to lay off 650 employees, half its workforce, in early 2009. Pending court and regulatory approval, it

4440-483: The secession crisis of 1861 Greenbrier citizens chose Samuel Price as their delegate to the Richmond convention . On April 17, 1861, the day Virginia's secession ordinance was passed he voted against it, but later changed his mind and signed the official document. When the public vote on the secession ordinance was held on May 23, 1861, Greenbrier county voted 1,000 to 100 in favor of secession. The Civil War came to

4514-410: The standard for such casino resorts. The Mirage gave its size and emphasis on non-gaming entertainment options like shopping and fine dining to draw in customers. Mega-resorts use the same fantastic or mythical theme (medieval life at Excalibur , tropical at The Mirage, famous cities, etc.) throughout their properties. Many mega-resorts have a large theme park as its centerpiece . Resorts such as

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4588-614: The women's equivalent to the Ryder Cup. The Greenbrier is the first of three locations to host both the men's and women's United States versus Europe team competitions, the Ryder and Solheim cups; it was joined in 1998 by Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio , with Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel PGA Centenary Course, the host of the 2014 Ryder Cup , joining when it hosted the 2019 Solheim Cup . The Greenbrier American Express Championship on

4662-616: The year. In 2020, the PGA Tour cancelled its TPC affiliation with the Greenbrier. The resort hosted a LIV Golf event at the Old White Course in August 2023. The resort is home to a 2,500-seat tennis stadium, five Har-Tru outdoor courts and five Deco-Turf indoor courts. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , all matches during the 2020 World TeamTennis season were held at the Greenbrier. The Greenbrier Clinic, adjacent to

4736-470: Was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 45.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 33,732 and the median income for a family was $ 43,182. Males had a median income of $ 34,845 versus $ 27,254 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,044. About 14.7% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over. Much like

4810-400: Was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83. In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males. The median income for

4884-561: Was acquired by the Calwells, a prominent Baltimore family. They developed the large property as a resort, selling cottages, many of which still stand today, to prominent Southern individuals. Notable guests of the early 19th century included Martin Van Buren and Henry Clay . In 1858, they built a huge hotel building on the property. The Grand Central Hotel came to be known by the moniker "The White" and, later, "The Old White". During

4958-781: Was an international social event of the season. Notable attendees included the Duke of Windsor and his wife, Wallis Simpson (who had spent her honeymoon with her first husband at the Greenbrier in 1916), Bing Crosby , and members of the Joseph Kennedy family . Since the late 20th century, the resort has hosted several presidents and vice-presidents, in addition to foreign dignitaries such as Jawaharlal Nehru , Indira Gandhi , and Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco . The Greenbrier resort has played host to several important international meetings. During World War II , future Canadian prime minister Lester Pearson , then assigned to

5032-827: Was announced in March 2009 that the resort was to be sold to the Marriott hotel chain, contingent upon significant concessions from the unions and approval of $ 50 million in financing from CSX. On May 7, 2009, the Justice family of West Virginia purchased the resort for $ 20 million. The Justice family, headed by patriarch Jim Justice , has extensive farm and mining operations in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It farms 50,000 acres (200 km) through its Justice Family Farms group, headquartered in Beckley, West Virginia . In early 2009, it sold its Bluestone Coal Corporation network of West Virginia coal mines to

5106-436: Was at the center of a moment on the U.S. game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire . Comedian Norm Macdonald 's $ 1,000,000 question was in reference to the Greenbrier's bunker. Macdonald was ready to correctly guess the Greenbrier but believed host Regis Philbin was trying to talk him out of the answer. Philbin did not know the answer, and was trying to ensure that Macdonald did not lose the $ 468,000 that he had already won for

5180-510: Was built in 1913 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and was owned for much of its history by that company and its successors, Chessie System and CSX Corporation . Following years of heavy losses, CSX had the hotel file for bankruptcy protection in 2009. Justice Family Group, LLC, a company owned by coal baron and later governor of West Virginia Jim Justice , subsequently bought the property and guaranteed all debts, resulting in dismissal of

5254-713: Was canceled due to severe flooding in June. All four of the golf courses on the property, the Old White TPC, the Greenbrier Course, the Meadows Course, and the Snead Course were damaged in the 2016 flood. On July 12, 2016, a modified course, made up mostly of the Greenbrier Course but also parts of the Meadows Course, was laid out and opened for play that year. The remaining courses were closed for

5328-572: Was initially divided into ten townships: Anthony's Creek, Big Levels, Blue Sulphur, Falling Spring, Fort Spring, Irish Corner, Lewisburg, Meadow Bluff, White Sulphur, and Williamsburg. Lewisburg District was co-extensive with the town of Lewisburg until 1871, when Big Levels Township was divided between Lewisburg and Falling Spring Townships. The same year, Summers County was formed from parts of Greenbrier, Fayette , Mercer , and Monroe Counties. The portion of Greenbrier County that became part of Summers County belonged to Blue Sulphur Township. In 1872,

5402-549: Was originally expected to begin in late 2007, was stalled when the state Supreme Court agreed to hear the case brought by opponents of the project. Ultimately, The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the developers, clearing the way for construction to begin in the summer of 2009. However, in July of that year, a U.S. District Court in Maryland agreed to hear a case filed by opponents. As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in

5476-526: Was sold back to the C&;O railroad for just under the $ 3.3 million they had been paid in 1942. C&O hired internationally renowned interior designer Dorothy Draper to completely redecorate and restore the Greenbrier. Draper oversaw every element of the design of the property in her trademark style: combining bold colors, classical influences and modern touches, and the work took two years. The Greenbrier's reopening, celebrated from April 15 to April 18, 1948,

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