Martinsville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Dick & Willie Passage

— Smith River Trail System —

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022

1. The Dick & Willie Passage Marker

Inscription. The Dick and Willie Trail is 4.5 miles in length and runs along a portion of the former Danville and Western Railroad track. Once part of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, the Danville and Western was affectionately nicknamed the "Dick and Willie." Locals who desired a modern way to connect the towns of Danville and Stuart raised the funds through the sale of "subscriptions" to construct the rail and completed the line to Stuart in 1884.

• Distances •
Virginia Ave to Liberty St...1.38 mi
Liberty St to Doyle St...1.48 mi
Doyle St to Fisher St...0.47 mi
Fisher St to Mulberry Creek Overlook...1.18 mi

Prior to the advent of railroads in the Dan River Valley, goods were primarily transported along the rivers in double-ended flat boats called batteaux. However by the late 19th century, the era of batteaux had ended and railroads opened an age of mass of transportation. Today, this portion of the Dick and Willie continues to connect communities and lives on as a multi-use trail enjoyed by walkers, joggers and cyclists.

(captions)
An early steam engine on the Dick and Willie
A trestle on the Dick and Willie
The Dick and Willie Trail is multi-use

Erected by City of Martinsville Department of Parks & Recreation, Henry County

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Parks & Recreation, Dan River Basin Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 36° 41.857′ N, 79° 53.945′ W. Marker is in Martinsville, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Virginia Avenue (Business U.S. 220) and Commonwealth Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Access the trailhead from the west end of the shopping center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1094 Virginia Ave, Martinsville VA 24112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Changing Landscapes (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fayette Street (approx. 1.3 miles away); Historic Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Dick & Willie Passage (approx. 1.3 miles away); Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); Near War's End (approx. 1½ miles away); Brigadier General Joseph Martin (approx. 1½ miles away); Henry County War Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsville.

Also see . . .
1. Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail. Official Tourism Site for Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia (Submitted on September 9, 2022.)

2. Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail

The Dick & Willie Passage: Virignia Ave Trailhead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022

2. The Dick & Willie Passage: Virignia Ave Trailhead

. TrailLink by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (Submitted on September 9, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.