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

Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike

Photographed by Kathy Walker, May 7, 2009

1. Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike Marker

Inscription. The Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike Co. was incorporated in 1818 to build a turnpike from Lynchburg west to Salem. The road reached Liberty (now Bedford) in 1828 and was completed to Salem in 1836. In Bedford County, covered bridges spanned the Big Otter and Little Otter rivers. The latter bridge remained until 1947. This turnpike, with five tollgates, served as the main thoroughfare in the region until the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad was built in the 1850's. In 1854, the company abandoned responsibility for the road between New London and Liberty and the county took control.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-131.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 37° 19.032′ N, 79° 24.927′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Virginia, in Bedford County. It is on E Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (Virginia Route 460) 7½ miles west of Bedford/Campbell County Line, on the right when

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traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bedford VA 24523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Joel Leftwich (approx. 4.6 miles away); Brig. Gen. William R. Terry (1827-1897) (approx. 5.7 miles away); Home of John Goode (approx. 5.7 miles away); Site of Bedford Courthouse / 202 E. Main Street (approx. 6 miles away); Bedford’s Volunteer Company (approx. 6 miles away); Bedford (approx. 6 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 6 miles away); Supreme Sacrifice Memorial (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bedford.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, May 7, 2009

2. Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,568 times since then and 170 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.