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...
Historic Sites
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Historic Sites
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The Draper Mercantile has been a favorite local hangout for over 125 years. We’re continuing that tradition and welcome you to the new gathering place for great food, friendly folks and an inspiring atmosphere. The Draper Mercantile is also home to the Draper Valley Marketplace, an eclectic little market dedicated to bringing you vibrant, healthful food diversity from our own community Read more...
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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...
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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...
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The Roman Revival Mecklenburg Courthouse was built between 1838 and 1842 by area master building, William A. Howard. Read more...
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A member of the League of Historic American Theatres, The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia, is one of three existing Art Deco Mayan Revival-style theaters in America. The Lincoln is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built in 1929 as a vaudeville and movie house, The Lincoln Theatre hosted stars such as Read more...
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Six tobacco warehouses and factories were converted into prisons beginning in late 1863. Only one of these buildings remains: Prison No. 6. William T. Sutherlin owned the warehouse and arranged for the Confederacy to use the building to house Federal prisoners of war. The six facilities held just over 7,000 Union soldiers including black troops captured at the battle of Read more...
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Built in 1870 for the South Carolina & Georgia Railroad, this private car was used by the president of the railroad and is one of the oldest and finest examples of typical passenger car construction of the late 19th century. Step back in time…Visit the 101 Car in Stone Gap Virginia, now located at the Southwest Virginia Museum State Park. Read more...
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1750, Samuel Black purchased 600 acres of land in Drapers Meadow, but never inhabited the land. When Samuel died, his land was split between his two sons, William and John Black. In 1798, William Black set aside 38 acres of his land to establish the Town of Blacksburg. William Black eventually left Blacksburg for Ohio, but his descendants continued to inhabit Read more...
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is housed in the Sutherlin Mansion which was the former home of Major William T. Sutherlin, wartime quartermaster for Danville and among its most prominent citizens. For one week, 3-10 April 1865, Major and Mrs. Sutherlin opened their home to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate government. The Confederate President occupied a bedroom Read more...
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There are many exciting places to visit and outdoor activities in the towns of Fries, Galax, Hillsville, and the Grayson and Carroll County area. With all of the hiking, biking, trail riding, canoeing, and fishing possibilities, and the historic sites, art and craft shops, restaurants, and old -time music venues, you won’t be bored. After the day’s activities, relax at Read more...
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Opposite Church of Christ on North Rt. 83, up on hillside. Site of 3 Confederate Soldiers, related by marriage. Hours: Daylight only Read more...
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Built soon after the Civil War in Italianate villa style by Col. William E. Sims, the house was opened as bed-and-breakfast in 1975 by Henry and Patricia Mitchell. It has more than enough room, five rooms including a ballroom and 11 fireplaces. The Mitchells restored it with profound respect for its construction, including brick kilned on the place, shiplap siding, Read more...
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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...
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This park is a walking trail through a part of the old Merrimac Coal Mines. This mine was one of the oldest anthracite mine in Montgomery County. It was a government colliery for the Confederacy and takes it name for the famed ironclad the Merrimac, which was retooled and renamed the C.S.Virginia. Coal from this mine was used to power Read more...
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The Brush Mountain Coal Miners Memorial is a black granite monument that celebrates the lives and spirits of the Brush Mountain Coal miner. There are also two restored coal cars at the site with a plaque honoring the miners that were killed while working in the mines. We also have a building with coal mining artifacts inside that is used Read more...
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The Jubal Early Homeplace and Archaeological Site is located just off Jubal Early Highway (VA 116) near Boones Mill. It was the home of General Jubal Anderson Early, born in Franklin County in 1816, who spent much of his childhood at the home and grounds nearby. The original house is thought to have been built in the first decade of Read more...
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Cockram Mill, located near Meadows of Dan, is the oldest historic grist mill complex in Patrick County. The mill dates to about 1885, and is a two- and three-story rectangular frame building on a concrete foundation. It’s located adjacent to a concrete dam on the headwaters of the Dan River. The mill is operated by two metal turbine wheels. Associated Read more...
Head west on Route 58 from the town of Stuart on the winding road that leads to Meadows of Dan area. On your way, you will pass the scenic Lover’s Leap Overlook; Fred Clifton Park and overlook; Poor Farmers Farm, a great place for music, unique shopping; historic Cockram’s Mill and eatery located on the Dan River; Primland Resort, Patrick Read more...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Discover a place where Main Street meets the mountains, downtown Buchanan. Nestled within the steep slopes of the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains the Town’s Main Street straddles the James River. An important stopping point for travelers since the 1700’s, Buchanan offers scenic beauty and an historic setting. Explore more than 200 years of history as you walk our Main Street, paddle the James River, peddle the Read more...
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Built in 1902, the Clarkton Bridge spans the 250 ft. wide Staunton River connecting the counties of Halifax & Charlotte. The bridge stands 53′ over the riverbed and has been fully restored. Read more...
Outdoor Photography Venue for Special Times. This beautiful, private property is located in Falling Springs area of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia. This property came to the current owners with the prior owner saying “I’m giving you the property but selling you the view”. To that point, it was this stunning view that has kept this family here. The vantage Read more...
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Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, the Hillsville Historic District is located within the downtown area of Hillsville. This county seat town of Carroll County dates to the formation of the county in 1842. The historic district is comprised of 14 buildings, one object, and covers approximately 50 acres. Key buildings include The Historic Carroll County Read more...
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In 1774, defenders of the Clinch River frontier built a stockade-style fort in Elk Garden. This fort was located just south of State Route 19, on land now owned by the Stuart Land and Cattle Company, and in the general vicinity of the historic Elk Garden Methodist Church. Founded in 1788, the Elk Garden Church is the second oldest church Read more...
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Mayberry Presbyterian Church is one of the five historic rock churches located in the tri-county area of Carroll, Floyd, and Patrick Counties of southwestern Virginia. Mayberry Church is located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Post 180.1, just south of Meadows of Dan. Our service begins at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. Visitors are most welcome and come as Read more...
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This capricious, if provencial, expression of the Queen Anne style was briefly the home of the notorious Sidna Allen. Allen was member of the so-called Allen Gang involved in the Carroll County Courthouse shooting in 1912. The house, finished the year before the shooting, was designed by Allen and his wife. It was built by Preston Dickens, a local carpenter, Read more...
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Grove Street Cemetery is Danville’s first municipally owned burial ground. It’s earliest surviving marked grave dates from 1833, two years before Danville incorporated. Grove Street Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the community’s founders and early citizens. It holds the remains of a number of Confederate veterans, including Col. Joseph Robert Cabell and Benjamin Edward Cabell, sons Read more...
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The Historic Henry County Courthouse now houses the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center and Museum in the portion of the building that was formerly the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Exhibits on local and regional history change regularly in our Collector’s Gallery so there is always something new for everyone to enjoy. The former Deed Room is now home to a Read more...
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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...
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Visitors traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway must visit the Puckett Cabin at Milepose 189.9 in Carroll County. The site is a preserved log home, with rail fencing, that was the last home of Orlean Hawks Puckett (1844-1939). Puckett was a mid-wife who helped assist with the delivery of over 1,000 babies from 1890-1939. The site helps to interpret and Read more...
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The former Norfolk & Western (N&W) Freight Station, now known as the Rocky Mount Train Depot, is a rare surviving railroad station with historical significance for its role in the development of Rocky Mount as an agricultural and manufacturing center. Built in 1907 by N&W, this elongated one-story rectangular wood frame building (a typical example of standard-issue corporate design) served Read more...
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Oakwood Cemetery is Martinsville’s oldest public cemetery. The original cemetery charter was dated April 23, 1883. A cemetery committee consisting of J.R. Brown, C.P. Kearfott and C.D. Keffer was appointed by the Martinsville Town Council. Around the same time, 83/4 acres were purchased from Dr. James Moss Smith for $50 per acre to establish the site. The town of Martinsville Read more...
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This is the original site of Randolph-Macon College, built in the 1830’s in Boydton, Virginia. Efforts are currently underway to protect and preserve the site. A little-known fact about this site is that the college was not built on virgin ground – it was actually built over a horse racetrack. This racetrack was significant as it was the first documented Read more...































