Keeling in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sign Rock
At this intersection lies a rare example of an early Virginia road marker. A Virginia statute of 1738 required that all crossroads be marked by a stone or wooden post inscribed with the name of the most-noted place to which each of the adjoining roads led. This marker, which dates to the late 18th century or early 19th century, refers to Beavers Tavern eight miles to the west and Lynch's Ferry, or the fledgling town of Lynchburg, 60 miles to the north. Of the fewer than 20 stone markers known to survive, most were erected in later years and refer to places only a short distance away. Stone and wooden markers ceased to be used early in the 20th century with the advent of standardized highway signs.
Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-56.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1738.
Location. 36° 43.588′ N, 79° 14.995′ W. Marker is in Keeling,
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Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia, specifically in the Piedmont, and in Southside Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Weatherford's Grave (approx. 5.7 miles away); Beavers Tavern (approx. 7.1 miles away); Carter's Tavern (approx. 7.3 miles away); Bright-Leaf Tobacco Barns (approx. 7.6 miles away); Whitmell P. Tunstall
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
