Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Smithfield

Photographed By Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

1. Smithfield Marker

Inscription.
Smithfield, visible to the northeast, was the last home of Col. William Preston, a noted surveyor who fostered the settlement of western lands. Preston was also a Revolutionary officer, Indian fighter, and a member of the House of Burgesses. Built soon after 1773, Smithfield is one of the earliest surviving houses in southwestern Virginia. The house is a remarkable expression of architectural sophistication in what only a generation before had been the edge of the frontier. Smithfield remained in the possession of Preston descendants for almost two hundred years.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KG-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 37° 12.646′ N, 80° 25.564′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Southgate Drive north of Bypass U.S. 460, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg VA 24061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Founding of the Future Farmers of Virginia (here, next to this marker); Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (here, next to this marker); Cemetery Landscape (approx. 0.4 miles away); Preston Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Ballard Preston (approx. 0.6 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 0.6 miles away); Liberty and Justice for All (approx. 0.6 miles away); 1820 Slave Cabin (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

More about this marker. Marker was moved 500 yds south from its original location (GPS 37.21446, -80.42809) when Southgate Drive was reconfigured.

Smithfield Marker (original location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

2. Smithfield Marker (original location)

Markers with Virginia Tech campus map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

3. Markers with Virginia Tech campus map

William Preston's Smithfield image. Click for more information.

via William Preston's Smithfield, unknown

4. William Preston's Smithfield

Museum website homepage
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Area of marker's original location on old Southgate Drive. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023

5. Area of marker's original location on old Southgate Drive.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,069 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 15, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on July 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker in new location. • Can you help?