University in Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

William MacFarland Patton

(1845-1905)

Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

1. William MacFarland Patton Marker

Inscription. Chair, Civil Engineering 1896-1905
Dean, Department of Engineering 1904-1905
A distinguished engineer, educator, and author, William MacFarland Patton chaired Civil Engineering at VPI and became the first dean of the Department of Engineering. He worked as the engineer on numerous projects in several countries, wrote definitive books on Civil Engineering, and headed engineering departments at two colleges. Honored as a patriot, he held the rank of Colonel in the Virginia Militia.

Patton Hall first completed 1926

Erected by VPI, Class of 1953.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 37° 13.743′ N, 80° 25.323′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is in University. It is on Drillfield Drive west of Alumni Mall, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg VA 24061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia,

in the Blue Ridge Highlands,

and in the New River Gorge.

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: Time Capsule (within shouting distance of this marker); Earl Bertram Norris (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roy Jay Holden (about

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300 feet away); Julian Ashby Burruss (about 300 feet away); April 16th Memorial (about 400 feet away); Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel (about 500 feet away); Paul Ernest Torgersen (about 500 feet away); The Alwood Oak (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

Also see . . . Patton Hall | Virginia Tech. (Submitted on February 19, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

2. William MacFarland Patton Marker

Marker in front of Patton Hall.

An older plaque at the rear entrance to Patton Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., April 5, 2013

3. An older plaque at the rear entrance to Patton Hall

It reads: William MacFarland Patton
1845 - 1905
Soldier - Engineer - Author
Professor of Civil Engineering
1895 - 1905
Dean of Engineering
1904 - 1905

Patton Hall and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 31, 2025

4. Patton Hall and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.