Near Gore in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Willow Shade
By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
1. Willow Shade Marker
This house, built in 1858, was the childhood home of novelist Willa Cather from 1874 to 1883, when she moved with her family to Nebraska. It was the setting of the final chapters of her novel SAPPHIRA AND THE SLAVE GIRL. Willa Cather was born December 7, 1873, one mile south in the community of Gore then known as Back Creek Valley.Erected 1986 by Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. (Marker Number B-17.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1892.
Location. 39° 16.139′ N, 78° 18.535′ W. Marker is near Gore, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker is on Northwestern Pike (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gore VA 22637, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Willa Cather Birthplace (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Stonewall Brigade at Pughtown (approx. 3.1 miles away); Gainesboro (approx. 3.1 miles away); Frederick County Va. / West Virginia
By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
2. Willow Shade Marker
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Willa Cather's Home in Virginia. Several pictures of the Cather House in Gore, VA. The main Willa Cather page includes several photographs of the author also. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Willow Shade - Virginia Litterary Landmark. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Willa Cather. Literary Encyclopedia entry on the author. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Willow Shade. (PDF)National Register of Historic Places documentation. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
5. Willa Cather Page. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
6. Sapphira and the Slave Girl. Summary article. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
7. Sapphira and the Slave Girl. From Gutenberg.net. (Submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
By Paul Crumlish, March 29, 2012
3. Willow Shade (1858)
Nestled in a Virginia mountain gap, remains below modern day four lane US-50.
Additional commentary.
1. Willa Cather History Quote
I read O Pioneers! in high school and still fondly remember Willa Cather's work. One quote from Cather which stays with me through the years - The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or a woman.
— Submitted October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,748 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 30, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
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