general alfred beckley (1802–88) wanted his home to be the center of what he envisioned for beckley, west virginia which he founded in 1838. although his town was a piece of paper in 1838, it would later become the county seat of raleigh county, west virginia, which was also founded by beckley in 1850. his house was built in 1835-36, initially as an unpretentious double log cabin. "i took possession of a double log cabin built for me in the fall of 1835 by mr. john lilly sr. of bluestone.." originally, the residence was named park place. according to alfred beckley, "i changed the name of my residence from 'park place', a name given it by my kinsman, clarkson prince to that of 'wildwood'".