Speers Ferry in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Speers Ferry

The Crooked Road

— Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail —

Speers Ferry Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

1. Speers Ferry Side

This side displays photos of Canoeing on the Clinch River, Clarence "Tater" Tate performing with the ETSU Bluegrass Band, and the Speers Ferry Depot.

Inscription. (Right Side):Speers Ferry Historically the Clinch River served as a major avenue for settlement and opened up the area of southwestern Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Among other settlers, Daniel Boone lived along the banks of this river and took command of the forts in the area for almost two years before moving on in the trek that is commemorated by the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail. The natural resources of this region have been the basis for its economic development. Readily available timber provided construction materials for forts and home, and along the river in this region logs were lashed together and rafted down to Chattanooga. Joshua Speers established a ferry across the Clinch River in 1833. Development of the railroads facilitated transport of coal. A depot was set up here for passengers to change train lines and serve the small community of Speers Ferry.

Many of the families living here trace their roots to colonial times. Among them is the Carter family. The first Carter family homestead is located in nearby Natural Tunnel State Park. Among the descendants of this family is A.P. Carter, who with his wife

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Sarah and sister-in-law Maybelle, became famous in 1927 as the Carter Family. Their contributions to American music included many songs that became standards, a guitar style, and an extended family of musicians who still perform. The Carter Fold, a performance center with weekly concerts, is a memorial to these natives of Scott County.

(Left Side)The Crooked Road
Virginia's Heritage Music TrailFrom the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coalfields region, southwest Virginia is blessed with historic and contemporary music venues, musicians, and fretted instrument makers. Historically isolated, the region retained its strong musical legacy by passing traditions down through musical families to an appreciative community.

Old time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel can be enjoyed all year long and several museums are devoted to showcasing the area's rich musical heritage.

The Crooked Road winds through the ruggedly beautiful Appalachian Mountains and leads you to the major hotspots of old time mountain music, country music, and bluegrass. Alive and kickin' for today's fans, these venues preserve and celebrate musical traditions passed down

The Crooked Road Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

2. The Crooked Road Side

This side features photos of the Carter Family and Dr. Ralph Stanley. At the bottom is a map of the Crooked Road trail.

through generations. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, radio shows, and jam sessions ring out to large audiences and intimate gatherings. Please visit the Crooked Road web site to plan your trip to coincide with the current entertainment events.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 36° 39.307′ N, 82° 44.807′ W. Marker is in Speers Ferry, Virginia, in Scott County. It is on Orby Cantrell Highway (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling north. Located at a pull off providing a view of the Clinch River and railroad bridges. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duffield VA 24244, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Cities Area

and in Southwest Virginia.

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 Crooked Road / Speers Ferry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

3. The Crooked Road / Speers Ferry Marker

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Natural Tunnel: Railroading and Recreation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Copper Creek Railroad Trestles (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wilderness Road Crossing of the Clinch River (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter’s Fort (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Natural Tunnel Route (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Carter’s Fort (approx. 4½ miles away); Daniel Boone Trail (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Crooked Road / Duffield (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Speers Ferry.

Also see . . . The Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail. The web site offers details of other heritage stops and performance schedules. (Submitted on September 23, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Speers Ferry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2021

4. Speers Ferry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,786 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 23, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 11, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.