Fort Chiswell in Wythe County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Chiswell
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
1. Fort Chiswell Marker
Built by Colonel William Byrd for his expedition against the Cherokees, military outpost of Southwest Virginia 1758-76, county-seat of old Montgomery County 1776-1790, strategic point in the defence of the lead mines during the Revolution.
These millstones were used in the old Fort Chiswell Mill.
Erected 1924 by Stuart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Wytheville, VA.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.
Location. 36° 56.905′ N, 80° 56.059′ W. Marker is in Fort Chiswell, Virginia, in Wythe County. It can be reached from East Lee Highway (Route F-044 Frontage Road) 0.9 miles east of Max Meadows Road (Virginia Road 121), on the left when traveling east. The cairn for the marker is accessed via the driveway to the street address listed. There is a turnoff to the west leading to it. Touch for map. Marker is at or near
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wilderness Road (here, next to this marker); Lead Mines (approx. 0.8 miles away); Anchor and Hope Plantation (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fincastle County (approx. 4.7 miles away); Wythe County Poorhouse Farm (approx. 5.6 miles away); Pulaski County / Wythe County (approx. 5.8 miles away); New River (approx. 5.9 miles away); Foster Falls Furnace (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
2. Fort Chiswell Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Lead Mines (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Fort Chiswell. Excerpt:
Established in 1760 by Colonel William Byrd III as winter quarters while en route to relieve the besieged garrison at Fort Loudoun in Tennessee. That garrison was besieged by a strong force of hostile Cherokee. The overall context of the Cherokee uprising was the French & Indian War but the Cherokee had originally been allies of the British and turned on them as the result of escalating incidents and that conflict came to be known separately as the Anglo-Cherokee War (1758-1761).(Submitted on September 18, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
3. Fort Chiswell Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
4. Millstone
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
5. Fort Chiswell Marker
View from the path to the marker of Lee Highway. It is difficult to find using GPS.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
6. Fort Chiswell Marker
Additional Virginia Historic Landmark sign mounted atop the cairn.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,870 times since then and 194 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
