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

Thomas Oldham Sandy

(1857-1919)

— State Demonstration Agent 1907-1917 —

Thomas Oldham Sandy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 3, 2011

1. Thomas Oldham Sandy Marker

Inscription.
Called the father of farm demonstration and extension work in Virginia, Thomas Oldham Sandy was a progressive farmer who promoted improved scientific education in agriculture. He became the Commonwealth’s first demonstration agent, a position moved under VPI’s purview in 1914. His boyish enthusiasm, keen sense of humor, and love for others endeared him to numerous people, and his work provided a major boost to agriculture in Virginia.

Sandy Hall completed in 1924
Marker donated by Class of 1953

Erected by VPI Class of 1953.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 37° 13.559′ N, 80° 25.423′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is in University. It is on Drillfield Drive 0.1 miles east of West Campus Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 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: Harvey Lee Price (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Barksdale Hutcheson (within shouting distance of this marker); John Redd Hutcheson (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Robert James Davidson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Theodorick Pryor Campbell (about 500 feet away); Native Stewardship / The Monacan Peoples (about 600 feet away); John Edward Williams (about 600 feet away); Solitude (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

Also see . . . Sandy Hall. Virginia Tech (Submitted on April 5, 2011.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 3, 2011

2. Sandy Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.