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

The Railroad Arrives

The Frontier Settled

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. The Railroad Arrives Marker

Inscription.

The Railroad Arrives. The Frontier Settled. Rich in mineral and agricultural resources, Southwestern Virginia attracted the attention of those who sought to tap into these riches. On March 2, 1849, the Virginia General Assembly voted to fund construction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (VA and TN) from Lynchburg, VA to Bristol, TN., Here in what is now Radford, the VA and TN built a depot near Lovely Mount and named it Central, because of its midpoint location between Lynchburg and Bristol. Workmen erected several freight buildings, a machine shop, and a large-engine roundhouse on 15 acres of land. The rail line officially opened at Central Depot on June 1, 1854., Along the new railroad, the geography of the region provided multiple engineering challenges, among them crossing the New River near Central Depot. This obstacle was met with a bridge known as “Morgan's Bridge” completed in 1855. Spanning 730 feet, it was the longest bridge constructed by the VA and TN. The path of this structure has been followed since 1855 and is still in use today here directly in front of the Mary Draper Ingles Cultural Heritage Park., When Norfolk and Western took over the rail lines beginning in 1881, they initiated a tremendous project to improve the existing lines and to add new lines throughout the area. The Radford area was no exception, which received a new curved rail bridge across the New River in 1888 to facilitate the increasing movement of coal., Captions (top to bottom) , . Late 19th century view of Central Depot, now the downtown portion of eastern Radford. The roundhouse dated to the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad first opened Central Depot. , . View of the two rail bridges that came into Radford in the late 19th century. The modern bridge at the site still crosses in the path of the straight line. The curved bridge was demolished in 1905, but its stone supports still stand in the river. , . The 1850s map and profile showing the path of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. Courtesy Library of Congress

Rich in mineral and agricultural resources, Southwestern Virginia attracted the attention of those who sought to tap into these riches. On March 2, 1849, the Virginia General Assembly voted to fund construction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (VA & TN) from Lynchburg, VA to Bristol, TN.

Here in what is now Radford, the VA & TN built a depot near Lovely Mount and named it Central, because of its midpoint location between Lynchburg and Bristol. Workmen erected several freight buildings, a machine shop, and a large-engine roundhouse on 15 acres of land. The rail line officially opened at Central Depot on June 1, 1854.

Along the new railroad, the geography of the region provided multiple engineering challenges, among them crossing the New River near Central Depot. This obstacle was met with a bridge known as “Morgan's Bridge” completed in 1855. Spanning 730 feet, it was the longest bridge constructed by the VA & TN. The path of this structure has been followed since 1855 and is still in use today here directly in front of the Mary Draper Ingles Cultural Heritage Park.

When Norfolk and Western took over the rail lines beginning in 1881, they initiated a tremendous project to improve the existing lines and to add new lines throughout the area. The Radford area was no exception, which received a new curved rail

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bridge across the New River in 1888 to facilitate the increasing movement of coal.

Captions (top to bottom)
• Late 19th century view of Central Depot, now the downtown portion of eastern Radford. The roundhouse dated to the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad first opened Central Depot.
• View of the two rail bridges that came into Radford in the late 19th century. The modern bridge at the site still crosses in the path of the straight line. The curved bridge was demolished in 1905, but its stone supports still stand in the river.
• The 1850s map and profile showing the path of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. Courtesy Library of Congress

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1849.

Location. 37° 7.975′ N, 80° 34.845′ W. Marker is in Radford, Virginia. Marker is on Unruh Drive, 0.1 miles east of Robertson Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Mary Draper Ingles Cultural Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Unruh Dr, Radford VA 24141, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Westward Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Draper Ingles (within shouting distance of this marker); The City by the River

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. The Railroad Arrives Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Home Guards (within shouting distance of this marker); New River Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montgomery County / Pulaski County (approx. 0.6 miles away); The New River (approx. 0.6 miles away); Starnes (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Radford.

Railroad Bridge Across the New River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

3. Railroad Bridge Across the New River

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 6, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.