Near Montebello in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Logging Railroad

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

1. Old Logging Railroad Marker

Inscription. Early in the 20th century lumber companies built narrow gauge railroads far into the mountains. This railroad, which was 50 miles long, carried more than 100 million board feet of logs to the mill. It was built in 1919-1920 and a section has been reconstructed here. Logging and fires destroyed most of the virgin forests of the Blue Ridge; the trees you see today are mostly second growth.

Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Blue Ridge Parkway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 37° 48.559′ N, 79° 10.777′ W. Marker is near Montebello, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. It is on Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 34.4), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montebello VA 24464, 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cherry Grove Estate (approx. 7.9 miles away); Constitution Forest (approx.

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8.1 miles away); Amherst County / Rockbridge County (approx. 8.1 miles away); Rockbridge County / Augusta County (approx. 8.1 miles away); New Providence Church (approx. 8.2 miles away); McDowell's Grave (approx. 8.2 miles away); Dr. Ephraim McDowell (approx. 8.2 miles away); Red House and the McDowell Family (approx. 8.2 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Virginia Inventors (was approx. 8.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named New Providence Church (was approx. 8.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Yankee Horse Trail. The Yankee Horse Trail includes a short stretch of reconstructed narrow-gauge railroad track once known as the Irish Creek Railway, along with an exhibit on logging in the area. This railway was built in 1919, completed in 1920 and was 50 miles long. The tracks were built to haul the lumber from the logging that was happening in the area prior to the parkway. (Submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Irish Creek Railway (vintage photograph). This image shows a bend in a railroad

Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

2. Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area

(climb rock steps from the parking area to the old railroad tracks)

track, which is part of the Irish Creek Railway. Above the railway, there is a roadway cut into the mountainside, and there is an embankment constructed of rocks that runs from the roadway down to the railroad tracks. This image was taken near milepost 37 by Edward H. Abbuehl on April 16, 1935. (Submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Irish Creek Railroad Trestle (vintage photograph). Image shows a close-up view of a railroad bridge that is part of the Irish Creek Railway. The bridge is constructed of notched logs, and the railroad tracks span across it. There are large rocks located around the bridge. The image was taken near milepost 34.4 by F.A. Ketterson, Jr. in July 1973. (Submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Follow An Old Logging Railroad To A Waterfall On This Enchanting Virginia Trail. (Submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Old Logging Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

3. Old Logging Railroad

Old Logging Railroad Trestle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

4. Old Logging Railroad Trestle

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

5. Old Logging Railroad

Wigwam Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2010

6. Wigwam Falls

(located along the trail, about 1/10 mile from the parking area)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,183 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.