Warm Springs in Bath County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Rev. Dr. William H. Sheppard

(28 May 1865 – 25 Nov. 1927)

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 22, 2007

1. The Rev. Dr. William H. Sheppard

Inscription. Born in Waynesboro to former slaves, William H. Sheppard became a Presbyterian missionary to the Belgian colony of Congo Free State in 1890. He and others opposed King Leopold II of Belgium, who encouraged such atrocities as the amputation of children's hands to intimidate Congolese rubber workers. On 21 Aug. 1904, while visiting his mother here, Sheppard spoke out at Warm Springs Presbyterian Church; reportedly, the Belgian ambassador attended. Later, in Africa, Sheppard published his charges, and the Belgian rubber monopoly sued for libel. After a judge dismissed the suit in Sept. 1909, an investigation verified Sheppard’s claims and compelled improvements. Sheppard returned permanently to America in 1910.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number D-38.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1909.

Location. 38° 3.175′ N, 79° 46.959′ W. Marker is in Warm Springs, Virginia, in Bath County. It is on Church Drive west of Mountain Valley Road (Virginia Route 39), on the left when traveling

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north. Located in front of the Warm Springs Presbyterian Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 73 Church Dr, Warm Springs VA 24484, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley,

in the Alleghany Highlands,

and specifically in the Potomac 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: Warm Springs Baths (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Bath County Courthouses (about 600 feet away); Terrill Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Johnston (approx. 0.4 miles away); Overshoot Wheel (approx. half a mile away); Waterwheel Restaurant Building (approx. half a mile away); The Dinwiddie Mantle (approx. half a mile away); Bath County Historical Society Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warm Springs.

More about this marker. Marker has been moved 200 yds west of its original location on US-220/Sam Snead Hwy US-220 (GPS 38.053028, -79.780528).

Marker original location on US-220 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 22, 2007

2. Marker original location on US-220

The Rev. Dr. William H. Sheppard Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 2, 2010

3. The Rev. Dr. William H. Sheppard Marker

Marker cluster on US-220 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 10, 2010

4. Marker cluster on US-220

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,698 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on September 8, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 4, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.