Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Crooked Road

Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail

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Abingdon

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 1, 2023

1. The Crooked Road / Abingdon Marker

Inscription. 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.

Abingdon In 1800 when the nation's population was two million, 10,000 people

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passed each year through Abingdon on their way South, Southwest, and heartland, making it the first, busiest, and most important of America's frontier towns. One-fourth of all Americans have an ancestor who came here, most of them on foot. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, native son Robert Porterfield created Barter Theatre here. Now the State Theatre of Virginia, the Barter is a shining example of high quality and relevance in American regional theater. Much of America's music was invented in Virginia, combining elements that were English, German, Scots-Irish, and African into sounds forged from a Virginia experience. The music has been well kept along The Crooked Road of musical communities in the southwestern region of the state.

Among the fine examples of Crooked Road musicians are the influential "a cappella" gospel group, The Chestnut Grove Quartet, which began its career shortly after World War II on Abingdon radio. Brilliant instrumentalist Hobart Smith lived north of here in Saltville, but spent much of his time in Abingdon. In addition to its rich history, Abingdon features a variety of cultural activities, including

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 1, 2023

2. The Crooked Road / Abingdon Marker

the William King Regional Arts Center, the Virginia Highlands Festival, and numerous crafts outlets. The Virginia Creeper Trail originates here and offers many recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast.

Erected by The Crooked Road.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 36° 42.609′ N, 81° 58.464′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It is on Partington Place south of Main Street (U.S. 11), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abingdon VA 24210, 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 North America,

the Western

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 1, 2023

3. The Crooked Road / Abingdon Marker

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: Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Stonewall Jackson Female Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor John B. Floyd (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Barter Stage II (within shouting distance of this marker); William Rodefer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Martha Washington College (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

Also see . . . The Crooked Road. (Submitted on October 3, 2023.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 1, 2023

4. The Crooked Road / Abingdon Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

The Crooked Road

Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail

⎯⎯⎯Abingdon

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Abingdon