Historic Sites

Home » Plan » Historic Sites

Historic Sites

{"hide_search_input":"","hide_near_input":"1","input_size":"","bar_flex_wrap":"","bar_flex_wrap_md":"","bar_flex_wrap_lg":"","input_border":"","input_border_opacity":"","input_rounded_size":"","btn_bg":"","btn_rounded_size":"","btn_rounded_size_md":"","btn_rounded_size_lg":"","bg":"","mt":"","mr":"","mb":"3","ml":"","pt":"","pr":"","pb":"","pl":"","border":"","rounded":"","rounded_size":"","rounded_size_md":"","rounded_size_lg":"","shadow":"","css_class":""}
2015 12 08 125426 1b873fad 5056 a36a 078d44142507a84b 768x517

Franklin County Courthouse

New
One of the most important buildings in Franklin County is the white-painted Beaux-arts Roman Revival Courthouse dominating “Uptown” Rocky Mount facing the southern end of Main Street (U.S. 220 South Business). The massive two-story Franklin County Courthouse with its wide three-bay portico was constructed in 1909 from plans of the well-known Roanoke architect H.H. Huggins. The current courthouse replaced the Read more...
4 063614C8 8699 416D B97716BE353221AF 546767fc 6b02 4bec 9b47eee586ed0c8b

Belle Hampton Farm

While searching for his lost brother who fought in the French-Indian War, James Mayo Hoge instead found his true love, Elizabeth Howe, and together they built a home on land they called Hayfield (now Belle-Hampton) in 1767. James Mayo Hoge fought courageously in the Revolutionary War along with his father-in-law, Joseph Howe and brother-in-law, Daniel Howe who lived next door Read more...
IMG 0146 1fb2d358 5056 a36a 07132ff7863b70cf 768x575

Abingdon Muster Grounds

In the summer of 1780, the Southern American colonies – and hopes of independence – seemed at the mercy of an invading British army. A militia was formed on the western frontier, known as the Overmountain Men. This brave group of some 400 volunteers came to the Abingdon Muster Grounds to begin their journey. Joined by other militia, 1,000 Overmountain Read more...
CallandsClerksOffice1 F037EE76 90EB 3124 9E43EE776749F4C0 f037ecec0c2279a 66f7ba47 c8ae 26b3 0904bd4db601f2ef 768x512

Callands Clerks Office

New
Site of first county seat of Pittsylvania County. The building that served as the debtor’s prison, 1767-1771, and later as the clerk’s office, 1771-1777, remains. Nearby stands the debtor’s gaol, built in 1778. It later served as Samuel Calland’s store and in 1808 became the post office for Callands. Read more...
Bailey Log Cabin 4 23c744c4 5056 a36a 0751f1b9ecfa5abc 768x511

Bailey Log Cabin

Records show that that the Bailey family settled in what later became Tazewell County more than 230 years ago. Richard Peyton Bailey, Sr. received a warrant for land along the Bluestone River on October 15, 1770.  Bailey was a scout and spay for the American army who gathered intelligence about the British and Indians in that part of Virginia.  Since Read more...
poca mine 2 1bb51261 5056 a36a 07a46e6c607ea166

Pocahontas, Historical Mining Town

New
Pocahontas, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was Virginia’s first coalfield boom town. Today, Pocahontas preserves its coal mining heritage. Visitors can tour the world’s first Exhibition Coal Mine, a National Historic Landmark and Virginia’s Official Coal Heritage Zone, and see spectacular 13 foot tall coal seams. Step into the Old Power House, which has been converted into Read more...
Wallers Ford Marker 235d05ba 5056 a36a 07078f280abc8bb1 768x595

Waller’s Ford Historic Marker

New
There is so much history to learn about Martinsville-Henry County, including that of George Waller. George and Anne Waller established their plantation on the Smith River near here around 1770. George Waller helped establish Henry County, serving as one of its first justices and as an early tax commissioner and sheriff. Drive by Field Avenue today to learn more from Read more...
BW26 1fbdf833 5056 a36a 07d6ee65ea7d45df 768x583

Washington County Courthouse

New
Washington County Courthouse: the previous courthouse, also located on this site, was burned on December 14, 1864, during Stoneman’s Raid, by Union Captain James B. Wyatt, with the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. Wyatt was raised in Abingdon and as a youngster had several run-ins with the local law enforcement. Evidently, Wyatt held a grudge against a local judge, so after Stoneman’s Read more...
default image

Groundhog Mountain Overlook

New
Overlook and picnic area located on the Blue Ridge Parkway a nice relaxing stop with structures demonstrating the history and heritage of early pioneer life. Read more...
buffalomntnchurch 1b180db3 5056 a36a 073186bf5c402ef6 768x507

Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Plateau of Southwestern (Carroll County) Virginia, the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church is the “Mother Church” of six rock churches established by Rev. Bob Childress. Subject of the book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain, by Richard C. David (1970), the BMPC is the largest of the six rock churches. The church was organized in 1927, Read more...
15205 1bbc6eb8 5056 a36a 07c5bd06272326d7 768x539

June Tolliver House & Folkart Center

New
Located adjacent to amphitheatre that stages the musical adaptation of John Fox Jr.’s novel, “Trail of the Lonesome Pine”, at the turn of the century, the house was owned by the Duff family who also owned a hotel across the street. Legend has it that Fox’s novel was based on actual people living in the town. Free tours of June Read more...
default image

Roanoke Public Libraries, Virginia Room

New
The Virginia Room holds the library’s special collection of historical and genealogical research resources. We comprehensively collect materials for the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia.The Virginia Room has the most extensive holdings for family history research in western Virginia, including thousands of family history books and files, county records and a growing collection of materials for African American Read more...
fcm1 crop u8722 2338c703 5056 a36a 07b4a10438691a83 768x469

Mansion at Fort Chiswell

New
For more than a decade The Mansion at Fort Chiswell has been lovingly restored.  Now this private residence, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and as a Virginia State Historic Landmark, is ready to be shared with you.  From the gracious bedrooms – to the wood-burning kitchen fireplace – to the elegant stairways and halls, you will find rich history Read more...
Montgomery Museum and Lewis Miller Regional Art Center 1fbf0048 5056 a36a 074a96972d8f6678 1 768x576

Montgomery Museum of Art & History

New
The Montgomery Museum of Art and History is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Montgomery County, Virginia and the region as well as promoting art by regional artists. As the region’s steward of art and history, the museum takes great pride in inspiring and educating through cultural programming. Additionally, the institution facilitates important Read more...
15318 1bba3de7 5056 a36a 07e5979f86190367

John Fox, Jr. Museum

New
The museum was the home of John Fox, Jr., a famous mountain author of many novels and short stories. Most well known are “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” and “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come”. “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” became the nation’s first million copy selling novel and was later made into a movie. An outdoor drama based on Read more...
Cowan Mill GGG signed ready to print 1ba4d745 5056 a36a 078fcab29f0b8a6a 768x512

Cowan Mill

New
This beautiful and authentic gristmill was built in 1890 and used by locals to grind their grain into mill. This rare treasure is considered one of the most photographed places in Lee County. It has been well maintained and is in magnificent condition considering its age.This is private property and suggested only as an opportunity to take a memorable and beautiful photo. Please Read more...
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs 9f017b84 5056 a36a 076d6275e4aeb3c4

Montgomery White Sulphur Springs

New
A monument marks the location of the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs Resort. During the Civil War the resort was ran by the Confederate Government as a General Hospital. Wounded, sick, and recovery soldiers filled the spacious resort and were cared for by Catholic Nuns, local slaves, and military personnel. More that 200 soldiers died at the hospital and are mostly Read more...
OVT largesign jive 1af76e84 5056 a36a 07c8a0c4989fd765 768x576

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

New
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail commemorates the 1780 campaign that led to the battle of Kings Mountain. The battle was a key turning point in the American Revolution when southern patriots from VA, TN, NC, SC & GA tracked down and defeated a loyalist force commanded by Major Patrick Ferguson. The commander of the patriot force, Colonel William Campbell, Read more...
default image

Mecklenburg County Courthouse

New
The Roman Revival Mecklenburg Courthouse was built between 1838 and 1842 by area master building, William A. Howard. Read more...
young1 1be9df72 5056 a36a 077d3c32a741add3

White’s Mill

New
Established in 1790, this is one of the only water-powered flour mills still operating in Southwest Virginia. It is a National and a Virginia Historic Landmark. Milling demonstrations, handmade broom demonstration and a general store on-site. Read more...
images 051B101A BC13 2AE0 A1FFBBDAC2C6EA9D 051b0f64b5fd985 3cfde996 ae3c 50fe 23f62b5f5ebc839e 768x532

The Richard White House

New
Just across Main Street from the Oaks is the charming little house built by Dr. Richard White, fellow physician and racing crony of Dr. Robert Coles from whom he bought the land. An early resident says the first section was built in 1810, but the official date for the second section is 1837. Close inspection reveals differences in the left Read more...
33640 1b2cb0f1 5056 a36a 071c69a9a2b3551a

Boone Trail Highway Marker

Between 1913 and 1938, the Boone Trail Highway Memorial Association placed cast iron markers throughout the United States. This was an effort to help promote coast to coast highway improvement, tourist travel, patriotism, remembrance of the Battleship Maine, education, memorializing pioneer hero Daniel Boone, and community unity and spirit. The markers were cast from metal recovered from the Battleship Maine.The Read more...
20190718 091917 25671c5a 5056 a36a 075c234478615893 768x373

Bluemont Presbyterian Church

Established in 1919, Bluemont Presbyterian Church is located on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. It is considered one of the historical “rock churches” in the area, as it was encased in stone in the 1950’s. Read more...
Depot 1fbeecaa 5056 a36a 07dee6d3263299fe 768x515

Historic Cambria Depot and Scale Cabinetmaker Museum

New
The Historic Cambria Depot is an Tuscan Italianate Depot built by the Virginia Tennessee Railroad in 1867 and opened in 1868. It is one of only two Virginia-Tennessee, pre-segregation Reconstruction Era combination depots left in Virginia and the only wooden Tuscan Italianate depot left in the United States. The station was built on the site of the original station, burned Read more...
Cannon Garys photos13 1bf0fe20 5056 a36a 07df2b468da39b4e 768x511

Laurel Hill – Birthplace of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart

New
Confederate Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart told his brother in 1863 “I would give anything to make a pilgrimage to the old place, and when the war is over quietly spend the rest of my days there.” J.E.B Stuart never returned to his birthplace and boyhood home, but thanks to a group of local citizens you today can visit Read more...
wreck 703043CB A75F 21E0 C5795BEE04D76FD8 70304376b54edf9 11303076 f6eb 200c 870feb3c7d5759af

Wreck of the Old 97

New
On September 27, 1903, the southbound Southern Railway express mail freight train, ‘Old 97’, ran off the tracks at Stillhouse Trestle and crashed into the ravine below. Eleven people died and six were injured. This event inspired the ballad “The Wreck of the Old 97” which was first recorded by G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter. The historic marker is located Read more...
BCM mural 1b04eb9b 5056 a36a 07543de43bbdd727 768x512

Country Music Marker & Mural

New
Tribute to the historic 1927 “Bristol Sessions,” the first commercial recordings of country music, noting the city as the official “Birthplace of Country Music.” Read more...
15299 1bbadccb 5056 a36a 079de323af3d48d5 768x512

Town of Appalachia

New
The town of Appalachia is considered to be a largely intact “era” town of the late 1800s, early 1900s. At one time, the town was the center of a booming coal mining culture. The town was the “hub” of eight “coal camps” located along the outskirts of the town. The town sprang up after the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and Southern Read more...
default image

Hayes Cemetery: Blue Ridge Parkway

New
Visitors along the Blue Ridge Parkway often overlook the fact that the landscape they are traveling was occupied in earlier historic times. Very little has survived the passage of time of the settlers and farmers who once called this home. However, several cemeteries along the route bear mute testimony to these early dwellers and their desendents. The thirty some miles Read more...
JesseesMill 2020 12 15 kimshort IMG 9590 e0ba4d5a 5056 a36a 070cfebe5134c599 768x576

Jessee’s Mill

New
The United States Department of the Interior, Park Service, has declared Jessee’s Mill to be a national historic landmark and was previously designated a state historical landmark by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources. Jessee’s Mill began operation over two hundred years ago, predating the census and tax records of 1790. The mill was the primary source for Read more...
33567 1b2d58c7 5056 a36a 07f96a646719275e 768x576

Historic Stone Wall

New
Central to Downtown Historic Hillsville is a feature that is old – yet is also quite new, in a sense. In front of the Historic Carroll County Courthouse is a dry laid rock wall. This was constructed when the courthouse was built between 1872-1874. The wall is new in that it had been covered over by a six inch thick Read more...
Courthouse2 1c916092 5056 a36a 07477f69ddd7c0db 768x575

Charlotte Court House Historic District

New
Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the Charlotte Court House Historic District is an excellent example of a 19th century rural courthouse town. A highlight of the district is the 1823 courthouse that was built from sketches drawn by Thomas Jefferson. Brochures featuring a self-guided walking tour, map, and history of the town and its architecture Read more...
Pittsylvania County Courthouse 4D1224D5 E49E 3D51 1D81FCA94DC409FD 4d12244fc43dd22 2d4d05b5 b122 d946 24e637a6296088e1 768x576

Pittsylvania County Courthouse

New
This Greek Revival Courthouse was built in 1853 when L.A. Shumaker, a regional master builder, was paid $10,000 to design and erect the building.The courthouse has been elegantly restored. The interior of the courthouse is embellished with elaborate plasterwork. A magnet for researchers is the clerk’s office where records go back to 1747. Read more...
44722 1c93ccb8 5056 a36a 07eca60b7a0140b0 768x576

Madam Russell Methodist Church and Cabin

New
Visit the church which was named as a memorial to Madam Russell, Patrick Henry’s sister. Walk through the original portion of the church and see many beautiful features, including the magnificent stain glass windows. Tour the replica cabin of Madam Russell and enjoy stories of her tremendous influence throughout the years. The lives that Madam Russell touched are limitless, by Read more...
50729 1d159397 5056 a36a 075cb0ec71e785f7 768x448

The Reynolds Homestead

New
The Reynolds Homestead is an outreach facility of Virginia Tech located in Critz. It features the fully-restored Rock Spring Plantation House, the birthplace and boyhood home of tobacco manufacturer R.J. Reynolds. Built in 1843, the two-story brick home has been restored to its nineteenth century state and includes many of the original family furnishings. The grounds include the original brick Read more...
Morea 2A3E9D4E 002C 3B99 5C18792C33F4EE43 2a3e9cddd8473ae 66095082 ed1f 661e 0ef9430b012d7859 768x576

Morea

New
Further south on Main Street, on the opposite side from the House of Laird, sits an imposing house from 1837 owned and restored by Cmdr. and Mrs. Richard W. Arey. It presides on a hill overlooking life along the thoroughfare. It features fine details such as its fanlight of leaded glass over the entrance door and plaster ceiling moldings. Of Read more...

Travel Tips

Things to Do

Places to Stay

Where to Eat