Radford, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Northern Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones, July 4, 2026

1. Northern Catalpa Marker

Inscription.
• Deciduous tree to 55 ft tall; leaves large, heart shaped to three lobed; flowers white or yellow, trumpet shaped; seed pods in fall up to 20 inches long that look like a bean pod
• Provides habitat for birds and moths
• Wood used for telephone poles and railroad ties
• Settlers used many parts of the tree for medicine

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 7.982′ N, 80° 34.818′ W. Marker is in Radford, Virginia. It is on Unruh Drive east of Robertson Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Unruh Dr, Radford VA 24141, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge 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

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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 City by the River (a few steps from this marker); The Railroad Arrives (within shouting distance of this marker); American Hackberry (within shouting distance of this marker); Westward Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Glencoe Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Draper Ingles (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Guards (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Radford People in History (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Radford.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 4, 2026

2. Northern Catalpa Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.