Damascus in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Damascus
| — | The Crooked Road — Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2022
1. Damascus Marker
Respected keepers of musical traditions have lived in Damascus or nearby for many years. Among them, blind balladeer Horton Barker who went to the White House to sing for President and Mrs. Roosevelt in the 1930s. Walter "Sparkplug" Hughes was a member of The Hill Billies, a traveling vaudeville and radio band that gave its name to "hillbilly" music. Renowned composer, fiddler and singer G. B. Grayson performed on the streets. String band musicians Herbert and Earl Sweet (the Sweet Brothers) were active here in the 1920s and 1930s. All left an important legacy of music in Damascus.
Affectionately known as "Trail Town U.S.A.", Damascus is a crossroads of more than six trails and gateway to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. This is celebrated every spring during Trail Days, where folks from across the globe come to enjoy the hikers' parade, music, crafts, good food, and hometown hospitality. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound here with fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping. The Creeper Trail is one of the finest bike rides in North America. The section from near the North Carolina state line to Damascus is 17 miles through forests, alongside mountain streams, over rail trestles, and through livestock pastures. After the ride, the visitor can browse in one of many specialty shops, enjoy a meal,
this page online
The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coalfields region, southwest Virginia is blessed with historic and contemporary music venues, musicians, and fretted instrument makers. Historically isolated, the region retained its strong musical legacy by passing traditions down through musical families to an appreciative community.
Old time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel can be enjoyed all year long and several museums are devoted to showcasing the area’s rich musical heritage.
The Crooked Road winds through the ruggedly beautiful Appalachian Mountains and leads you to the major hotspots of old time mountain music, country music, and bluegrass. Alive and kickin’ for today’s fans, these venues preserve and celebrate musical traditions passed down through generations. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, radio shows, and jam sessions ring out to large audiences and intimate gatherings. Please visit the Crooked Road website to plan your trip to coincide with the current entertainment events.
Erected by The Crooked Road.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
2. Marker detail: The Sweet Brothers
Location. 36° 38.111′ N, 81° 47.517′ W. Marker is in Damascus, Virginia, in Washington County. It is on South Beaver Dam Avenue just south of West Laurel Avenue (U.S. 58), on the left when traveling south. Marker is mounted on the east side of the Damascus Town Park interpretive kiosk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55775 Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, Damascus VA 24236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area, in Southwest Virginia, and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 walking distance of this marker: Founders of Damascus (a few steps from this marker); Laurel Avenue, The Main Street of Damascus (within shouting distance of this marker); Electricity Comes to Damascus (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Damascus Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away); Damascus Old Mill (about 800 feet away); Churches of Damascus (about 800 feet away); Water Tanks
3. Marker detail: Railroad Trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail
Also see . . .
1. The Crooked Road.
Southwest Virginia is known for its mountain music which formed the start of country, bluegrass, folk, and country rock music. The early ballads were stories about real people and events, passed down orally from generation to generation. Many of these ballads were brought by early settlers from their native countries when they settled in Southwest Virginia.(Submitted on November 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Early Southwest Virginian performers including the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Leslie Riddle, Dock Boggs, Ernest Van “Pop” Stoneman, and the Stanley Brothers collected these ballads and made them known to a larger audience. These artists took their life experiences and the times that shaped them, and created new songs that spoke of their everyday experiences.
2. The Crooked Road.
Experience first-hand how music is woven into the rich tapestry of tradition in Southwest Virginia. The variety is amazing - old-time string bands, a cappella gospel, blues, 300 year old ballads, bluegrass, and more.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2022
4. Crooked Road Marker
3. Damascus, Virginia - Trail Town, USA.
Damascus, Virginia, is located in Southwest Virginia a few miles from Tennessee and North Carolina, and is also close to Kentucky and West Virginia. It is a few miles from the famed Wilderness Road where the first settlers made their way west.(Submitted on November 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Because of its location between Virginia's Great Valley and the mountains to the east, west and south, Damascus became a point of passage for the Cherokee in ancient days, and later for Daniel Boone and his exploratory parties. Today it is a way station or terminus for hiking trails, biking trails, a musical event trail, motorcycle trails, a variety of other adventures, and is becoming a major tourist destination.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2022
5. Damascus Town Park Kiosk
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2022
6. Damascus Town Park Kiosk
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 3, 2022
7. Damascus Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2022
8. The Crooked Road Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 8. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
