Martinsville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Changing With Industry
The Dick & Willie Passage
| | Smith River Trail System | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022
1. Changing With Industry Marker
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.
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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.
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Regionally, this marker is in Southern 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 walking distance of this marker: DeShazo's "Silo" (approx. Ό 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 Seven (approx.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022
2. Changing With Industry Marker
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.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
