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

Changing With Industry

The Dick & Willie Passage

— Smith River Trail System —

Changing With Industry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022

1. Changing With Industry Marker

Inscription. The Dick & Willie was the first railroad to Henry County and was in full operation by 1884.

Originally, the railroad was a narrow gauge, but within a decade, the textile mills in the hamlets of present-day Eden were thriving. The narrow gauge rail cars were too small to serve the growing demand. Dick & Willie was quickly transitioned to a standard gauge to accomodate larger freight cars. In addition to the humming textile mills, the Dick & Willie was a vital transportation link for farm items and the furniture plants.

(captions)
Uptown Martinsville Station at current Uptown Spur Trail Photo: Ed Gravely Collection, Bassett Historical Center
Dick & Willie track at Hooker Furniture, circa 1900's Photo from the collection of Kenney Kirkman

Erected by City of Martinsville Department of Parks & Recreation, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Dan River Basin Association, the harvest foundation.

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° 41.472′ N, 79° 51.788′ W. Marker is in Martinsville, Virginia. Marker can be reached

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from the intersection of Doyle Street and Hooker Street, on the left when traveling west. Access the trail from the Doyle Street parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Doyle St, Martinsville VA 24112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. DeShazo's "Silo" (approx. ¼ mile away); The Dick & Willie Passage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Traditions to Celebrate (approx. 0.4 miles away); Martinsville's Early Textile Mills (approx. half a mile away); Henry County U.D.C. Monument (approx. half a mile away); Martinsville (approx. half a mile away); Brigadier General Joseph Martin (approx. half a mile away); Henry County War Memorial (approx. half a mile 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. TrailLink by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (Submitted on September 9, 2022.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022

2. Changing With Industry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.