Cloverdale in Botetourt County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cloverdale Furnace

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

1. Cloverdale Furnace Marker

Inscription. Robert Harvey established an agricultural and industrial complex here about 1790 that processed iron ore. The operation, known as Cloverdale Furnace, expanded in the 19th century under the ownership of John Tayloe III. About 150 enslaved African Americans worked here, many in highly skilled positions. A second Cloverdale Furnace, built eight miles northeast of here in the 1840s, was also largely operated by enslaved workers. The furnace supplied high-quality gun metal to the Tredegar ironworks in Richmond during the 1840s and 1850s, but production lagged during the Civil War. Union Brig. Gen. William W. Averell's cavalry burned Cloverdale in June 1864.

Erected 2017 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number AK-82.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1864.

Location. 37° 22.3′ N, 79° 54.355′ W. Marker is in Cloverdale, Virginia,

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in Botetourt County. It is on Lee Highway (U.S. 11) north of Updike Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cloverdale VA 24077, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region.

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 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Carolina Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roanoke County / Botetourt County (approx. 1.7 miles away); Daleville College (approx. 2.2 miles away); Hollins College (approx. 2.3 miles away); Botetourt County / Roanoke County (approx. 3.7 miles away); Greenfield (approx. 4.4 miles away); Dr. William Fleming

Cloverdale Furnace Marker<br>(<i>wide view looking south along US Highway 11</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

2. Cloverdale Furnace Marker
(wide view looking south along US Highway 11)

(approx. 4.7 miles away); Mount Moriah Baptist Church (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cloverdale.

Other markers no longer nearby. Cloverdale Furnace (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Old Carolina Road (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The Iron Furnaces of Botetourt County, VA: Cloverdale Furnace. This furnace no longer exists. The site and race are all on private property, although the site of the furnace can be seen easily from the road. The site is located within 200 yards of the mill site which is located near the intersection of Rt. 11 and the northern entrance to Updike Lane, on the northwestern side of Updike Lane. A retaining wall and some evidence of the race still exist. (Submitted on October 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,503 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.