Near Simmonville in Craig County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

William Addison “Add” Caldwell

Virginia Tech’s First Student

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 30, 2015

1. William Addison “Add” Caldwell Marker

Inscription. Three miles north of here stands the childhood home of William Addison “Add” Caldwell. He walked 28 miles to Blaksburg on 1 October 1872 and became the first student to register at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Graduating in 1876, Caldwell was elected secretary of his class alumni association. He worked as a teacher, clerk, and salesman before his death on 29 June 1910. He is buried in Radford, Virginia.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KH-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1910.

Location. 37° 25.565′ N, 80° 15.176′ W. Marker is near Simmonville, Virginia, in Craig County. Marker is at the intersection of Cumberland Gap Road (Virginia Route 42) and Sugar Maple Road (County Route 625) on Cumberland Gap Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Castle VA 24127, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Great Eastern Divide (approx. 2½ miles away); Audie Murphy Monument (approx. 4½ miles

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away); Roanoke County / Craig County (approx. 6.1 miles away); Anderson-Doosing Farm (approx. 7.3 miles away); Catawba Sanatorium (approx. 8.7 miles away); New Castle (approx. 9.4 miles away); Captain (approx. 11.4 miles away); a different marker also named Great Eastern Divide (approx. 11.6 miles away in West Virginia).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. There is a sculpture to Mr. Caldwell at the Virginia Tech campus.

Also see . . . William Addison Caldwell: First Student to Register. “Sixteen-year-old William Addison ‘Add’ Caldwell and his older brother, Milton M. ‘Mic’ Caldwell, walked as much as 28 miles across two mountains from their home in Sinking Creek in Craig County, Va., to Blacksburg, and Add became the first student to enroll in Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) when the new school opened its doors on Oct.1, 1872.

“According to records left by President Charles L. C. Minor, Add was nominated for a state scholarship by his county superintendent of schools. Minor’s records also include listings of the names of students who registered by the date on which they registered. The listings are not in alphabetical order, and

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 30, 2015

2. William Addison “Add” Caldwell Marker

for the first day, Add is listed first, lending credence to assertions that he was the first student to register, which is substantiated by oral traditions in Craig County. His brother Mic registered several weeks later.” (Submitted on June 5, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of his childhood home • Can you help?