Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory

1860 - 1901

— Marion History Walk —

Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory Marker

Inscription. Nathan Look and Charles Lincoln began the business in 1860 as a plow factory on the present-day site of the Calhoun-Gwyn Civitan Park located at the intersection of North Church and River Streets. They began making wagons in 1880 and in 1914 expanded to buggies. General Dynamics Armaments of Marion continues from this original industry.

Erected by Marion Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 36° 49.978′ N, 81° 31.16′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. Marker is on East Main Street east of South Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 E Main St, Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marion Musical Heritage Mural (a few steps from this marker); Smyth County Museum (a few steps from this marker); General Francis Marion (a few steps from this marker); Southwestern State Mental Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Col. Garland York (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The Lincoln Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Salt Kettle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Regarding Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory. Nathan Look and Charles Lincoln formed Look & Lincoln in 1858 and initially manufactured plows. The firm added a plow handle factory in 1865, and later expanded into manufacturing wagons and buggies. Besides being business partners, the men also were brothers-in-law: Look's first wife, Sarah, was Lincoln's sister. After Look died in 1907 (Lincoln had died in 1891), Lincoln's heirs acquired Look & Lincoln and continued to operate and expand the company for several decades. One subsidiary, the Virginia Table Works (established in 1907), was the largest factory in the world making dining-room furniture by 1919.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory Marker

Look & Lincoln circular image. Click for full size.

via Smyth County Historical Society & Museum

3. Look & Lincoln circular

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.