Bedford in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
104 N. Bridge Street
Known as Green's Drug Store during World War II, this business was a gathering place for locals. The Drug Store with its popular soda fountain allowed many people in the community to sit and read the morning papers while catching up on news with one another. Tucked away in the back of the drug store behind a wooden booth was a small Western Union telegraph office. Twenty-one-year-old Elizabeth Teass was manning the teletype machine on July 17, 1944 when she was stunned to receive an overwhelming number of telegrams, each with the words "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret...." The teletype machine continued with one message after another. Families throughout Bedford learned that day of the tremendous sacrifice made 4,000 miles away on the beaches in Normandy. The broken-hearted community of Bedford would be forever changed.
Dedicated in memory of Elizabeth Teass and all of those who came together to pass along the heartbreaking news to families throughout the community of Bedford.
Erected by Michael Oakley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 37° 20.072′ N, 79° 31.406′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Virginia, in Bedford County. It is at the intersection of North Bridge Street (U.S. 221) and East Main Street (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling north on North Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 N Bridge St, Bedford VA 24523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Famed "Bedford Boys" (within shouting distance of this marker); Mural of Appreciation (within shouting distance of this marker); Bedford (within shouting
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2025
2. 104 N. Bridge Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on February 18, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
