Gate City in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John P. McConnell

(1866-1941)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

1. John P. McConnell Marker

Inscription. John P. McConnell, educator, was born about eight miles north of here. He served as acting president of Milligan College in Tennessee and later taught history and economics at Emory and Henry College. An advocate of higher education for women, McConnell became the founding president of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford in 1911. He hired faculty and designed curricula before students arrived in 1913. The school, later Known as Radford University, became coeducational in 1972. McConnell was president of the Southern Educational Society, the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia, and Southwest Virginia, Inc., which promoted economic development.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 36° 38.269′ N, 82° 33.712′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. It is on U.S. 23/58 0.3 miles east of Kane Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in a small wayside park on the north side of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the highway as you approach Gate City. This is second-from-the-west of five markers at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3808 US-23, Gate City VA 24251, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Cities Area

and in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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 walking distance of this marker: Moccasin Gap (here, next to this marker); First Court of Scott County (a few steps from this marker); Carter Musical Family (a few steps from this marker); Donelson's Indian Line (a few steps from this marker); Prospect Public School (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackmore’s Fort (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gate City (approx. 0.4 miles away); Faris (Ferris) Station (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gate City.

Other markers no longer nearby. Donelson's Indian Line (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Big Moccasin Gap (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named First Court of Scott County (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); McConnell's Birthplace (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker Located Nearby titled "McConnell's Birthplace".

John P. McConnell Marker<br>(<i>US Hwy 23 on left; 2nd from west of 5 markers at this location</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

2. John P. McConnell Marker
(US Hwy 23 on left; 2nd from west of 5 markers at this location)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.