Near Blackstone in Nottoway County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Creation of Camp Pickett

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

1. Creation of Camp Pickett Marker

Inscription. Late in 1941, the U.S. government began the condemnation of some 46,000 acres near Blackstone to establish Camp Pickett and train troops for World War II. The action forced 263 families (totaling 1,181 individuals) from their farms early in 1942. Many relocated to other farms but some had to abandon the only way of life they had known. Within months, their homes were demolished, the graves of their ancestors moved elsewhere, and the camp erected. Because of the sacrifices of these citizens, more than one million men trained at Camp Pickett and fought bravely on battlefields around the world.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-175.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 37° 4.894′ N, 77° 58.182′ W. Marker is near Blackstone, Virginia, in Nottoway County. It is at the intersection of Darvills Road (Virginia Route 40) and Military Road, on the right when traveling east on Darvills Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blackstone VA 23824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 2 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Pickett (approx. 1.2 miles away); Nottoway Training School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Black’s and White’s Station (approx. 1½ miles away); Chapins Horse & Mule Co. (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); The Blackstone Courier (approx. 1½ miles away); The Blackstone Hotel (approx. 1½ miles away); Dodge Brothers Dealership (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blackstone.

Also see . . . Fort Pickett - Maneuver Training Center. Army National Guard (Submitted on May 23, 2010.)

Darvills Rd & Military Rd image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

2. Darvills Rd & Military Rd

Camp Pickett Main Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

3. Camp Pickett Main Gate

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,689 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.