Monterey in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Recorder
George M. Jordan and Philip E. Witts established The Recorder in Monterey in Oct. 1877 during a period of rapid growth for local journalism in the post-Civil War years. By horse and wagon they hauled a Washington printing press, the most popular type of iron, hand-operated press in America, from West Virginia. In use until 1903, the press was later donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Although based in Highland County, the weekly newspaper had a regional focus from its outset and later formally expanded into Bath and Alleghany Counties. Persisting despite downturns in the local newspaper industry. The Recorder became one of the oldest continuously published newspaper in Virginia.
Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-118.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 38° 24.764′ N, 79° 34.877′ W. Marker is in Monterey, Virginia, in Highland County. It is on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, in the Alleghany Highlands, and specifically in the Potomac Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Charles Pinckney Jones House (within shouting distance of this marker); Highland Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Charles Pinckney Jones Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Walk of Honor
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026
2. The Recorder Marker in front of the office
Other markers no longer nearby. Monterey (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Town of Monterey (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026
3. Signage for the building
Recorder
Hometown newspaper serving the counties of
Highland Bath Alleghany
Virginia
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
