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The cabin was once the home of Jacob L. Starcher, the grandson of Jacob Starcher, the first permanent settler in Ripley. It serves as a memorial to the early settlers of Jackson County. It was donated to Cedar Lakes by the late Genevieve Starcher in 1968. Tours are offered during the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair and by appointment.

Ripley has been the site of the Jackson County Courthouse since the county’s formation. The first structure was completed in 1833, the second in 1856, and the third in 1920.

John F. Morgan was the last public hanging in West Virginia on Dec. 16, 1897. He was convicted of murdering a widow and two children. A historical marker is located in front of the Jackson County Courthouse, where the trial took place. The gallows were located near the present site of the Jackson County Board of Education.

Two stately homes located here have been included in the National Register of Historic Places. The Armstrong House, 315 North Street, is the earliest known brick house in the community. The two-story structure was built in 1848. The Clerc-Carson House, at the corner of North and Seventh Streets, was constructed in 1880.

Located near Heritage House and the Staats Mill Covered Bridge, the structure is an authentic replica of a pioneer school. It was constructed of historic venues such as logs from a dismantled cabin and stones from Wright’s Mill at Cottageville. The building was dedicated in 1979.

The smallest community museum in America contains historical items and photographs with documentation of the history of Ripley. The museum is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.