Batesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Staunton and James River Turnpike

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2009

1. Staunton and James River Turnpike Marker

Inscription. The Staunton and James River Turnpike ran through here at Batesville and stretched for 43½ miles from Staunton to Scottsville. Construction began in 1826 and was completed by 1830. The turnpike provided a direct route for Shenandoah Valley farmers to transport agricultural products to Scottsville, then to Richmond via the James River and Kanawha Canal. Because the turnpike became impassable during wet weather, it was converted to a plank road (wooden boards laid crosswise to the road surface) beginning in 1849. The emergence of the railroad industry and the high cost of maintenance resulted in its disuse by the late 1850s and eventual incorporation into the country’s road system.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number GA-40.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 37° 59.719′ N, 78° 43.32′ W. Marker is in Batesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is on Plank Road (County Route 692) just west of Miller School Road (County Route 635), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Batesville VA 22924, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Miller School (approx. 1.6 miles away); Mirador (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Rothwell Family ... / Elisha Wm. Robertson ... (approx. 3.9 miles away); a different marker also named Mirador (approx. 4.3 miles away); North Garden Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); “The Albemarle 26” (approx. 4½ miles away); VDOT Workers’ Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); Crozet (approx. 5.3 miles away).

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2009

2. Staunton and James River Turnpike Marker

On the right is Plank Road's intersection with Miller School Road.

The Batesville Store and Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2009

3. The Batesville Store and Post Office

The store is across the parking lot from the marker on Plank Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,577 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.