Pound in Wise County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pound, Virginia
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
1. Pound, Virginia Marker
Inscription.
Pound, Virginia. . Christopher Gist explored the area later known as The Pound, likely derived from a family name, in 1751. The name became established following the construction of a pounding mill after 1815. According to tradition the oldest settlement in Wise Co., Pound was the last to be incorporated, in 1950. The county's first post office was established here in 1848. Chant Kelly, appointed postmaster in 1922, led efforts to promote growth, including paved roads and utilities. Other notables include the county’s most decorated soldier Daniel Webster Dotson, basketball legend Glenn Roberts, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, and motivational writer Napoleon Hill.
Christopher Gist explored the area later known as
The Pound—likely derived from a family name—in 1751. The name became established following
the construction of a pounding mill after 1815.
According to tradition the oldest settlement in
Wise Co., Pound was the last to be incorporated,
in 1950. The county's first post office was established here in 1848.
Chant Kelly, appointed
postmaster in 1922, led efforts to promote growth,
including paved roads and utilities. Other notables
include the county’s most decorated soldier
Daniel Webster Dotson, basketball legend Glenn
Roberts, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, and
motivational writer Napoleon Hill.
Erected 2006 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Z-90.)
Location. 37° 7.128′ N, 82° 35.875′ W. Marker is in Pound, Virginia, in Wise County. Marker is on Indian Creek Road (Business U.S. 23) just north of Bold Camp Road (County Route 633), on the right when traveling north. It is at the bridge over Indian Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pound VA 24279, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Mural by Ben Rigg at US 23 and Petes Lane. From left: A Norfolk and Western locomotive, a coal mine shaft tower, Francis G. Powers and the U-2 spy plane he piloted in 1960, a frontier fort, Napoleon Hill and quote (“What the mind of man can conceive, and believe, the mind can achieve.”), Chant Kelly, Glenn Roberts. Click on image to zoom in.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
4. A Glimpse of the Town of Pound from near the Marker
The Pound River parallels the road on the right. Downtown Pound is out of view on the right.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2023
5. Pound, VA downtown
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2023
6. Pound, VA downtown
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on July 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.