Near Bastian in Bland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Crooked Road

The Crooked Road — Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

1. Close-up of the The Crooked Road Marker

Inscription. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coalfields region, Southwest Virginia is blessed with historic and contemporary music venues, musicians, and fretted instrument makers. Historically isolated, the region retained its strong musical legacy by passing traditions down through musical families to an appreciative community.

Old time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel can be enjoyed all year long and several museums are devoted to showcasing the area's rich musical heritage.

The Crooked Road winds through the ruggedly beautiful Appalachian Mountains and leads you to the major hotspots of old time mountain music, country music, and bluegrass. Alive and kickin' for today's fans, these venues preserve and celebrate musical traditions passed down through generations. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, radio shows, and jam sessions ring out to large audiences and intimate gatherings. Please visit the Crooked Road website to plan your trip to coincide with the current entertainment events.

Erected by the Crooked Road.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail series list.

Location. 37° 12.388′ N, 81° 6.288′ W. Marker is near Bastian, Virginia, in Bland County. It can be reached from Interstate 77 at milepost 61 south of North Scenic Highway (State Route 606). Located at the Rocky Gap Safety Rest Area/Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bastian VA 24314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker,

The Crooked Road Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

2. The Crooked Road Marker

measured as the crow flies: James A. Williams, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Like to Eat? (within shouting distance of this marker); A Noted Preacher (approx. 0.8 miles away); World's Smallest Railroad (approx. 5½ miles away in West Virginia); Welcome to West Virginia (approx. 5½ miles away in West Virginia); A Tunnel Runs Through It (approx. 5½ miles away in West Virginia); World War Memorial Bridge (approx. 7.3 miles away); Miss Blanche Miller's Kindergarten and Continuation School (approx. 7.3 miles away in West Virginia).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Andrew Davidson (was approx. 6.6 miles away in West Virginia but has been permanently removed).

The Crooked Road Marker at the Rocky Gap Welcome Center on I-77. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

3. The Crooked Road Marker at the Rocky Gap Welcome Center on I-77.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.