Near Meadows of Dan in Floyd County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Appalachian Houses

By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2021

1. Appalachian Houses Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

More than a century ago, log cabins were a common sight in Appalachia and in other rural areas of the eastern United States. Samuel and Elizabeth Matthews built this cabin near Galax in 1869. Made largely of oak, it has one room on each of its two floors. Over time, the family installed a wood stove and added a bedroom, a metal roof, and weatherboarding.

In 1956 Matthews Cabin was donated to the National Park Service. Workers carefully restored the structure to its earlier appearance and moved it to this site.

Because there were many small sawmills, frame houses were also common in Appalachia. The Mabrys built their home on this site about 1914. They used boards and chestnut paneling sawed at their mill and workshop.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Blue Ridge Parkway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 36°

Marker detail: Matthews Cabin, before restoration image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Matthews Cabin, before restoration

Prior to its relocation in 1956, additions and alterations such as weatherboarding were removed from Matthews Cabin.

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45.08′ N, 80° 24.377′ W. Marker is near Meadows of Dan, Virginia, in Floyd County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south. Marker and Matthews Cabin (restored) are located along the Mabry Mill interpretive trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 266 Mabry Mill Road SE, Meadows of Dan VA 24120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bark Mill (a few steps from this marker); Lumber Drying Rack (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Challenges (within shouting distance of this marker); Whisky Still (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Stones (within shouting distance of this marker); Sorghum Making (within shouting distance of this marker); Homemade Soap Recipe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meadows of Dan.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mabry Mill

Also see . . . Mabry Mill. The sights and sounds of Rural Appalachia fill the air at Mabry Mill during summer and fall. Ed Mabry built the mill where he and his wife Lizzy ground corn, sawed lumber, and did blacksmithing for three decades. The old mill, cultural demonstrations, and a decades-long

Marker detail: Ed and Lizzie Mabry House image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Ed and Lizzie Mabry House

Ed and Lizzie Mabry, the local sawmill owners, stand on the porch of their newly built frame house in 1914.

tradition of Sunday afternoon music and dancing continue to draw visitors today. (Submitted on June 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Matthews Cabin Restoration image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Matthews Cabin Restoration

Log by log, Parkway maintenance crews reconstructed Matthews Cabin on this site.

By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2021

5. Appalachian Houses Marker

(west side of Matthews Cabin in background)

Matthews Cabin (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2021

6. Matthews Cabin (northeast elevation)

(back side of marker visible on right side of cabin)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 32 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.