Near Dublin in Pulaski County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Dunkard's Bottom"
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 2, 2011
1. "Dunkard's Bottom" Marker
This tablet commemorates the first white settlement west of New River, made in 1745 near here by "Dunkers". In 1756 they built a fort for protection against Indians. In 1771 Col. William Christian built a home on this site. The stones in this monument are from the chimneys of that home. This marker erected 1937 by Count Pulaski Chapter D.A.R. Pulaski, VA.
Erected 1937 by Count Pulaski Chapter D.A.R. Pulaski, VA.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 3.429′ N, 80° 37.259′ W. Marker was near Dublin, Virginia, in Pulaski County. It could be reached from Ben H Bolen Drive 0.1 miles east of State Park Road (Virginia Route 660). This marker is located in Claytor Lake State Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6620 Ben H Bolen Drive, Dublin VA 24084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Southwest Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Highlands, and in the New River Gorge. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Christian-Cloyd Chimney (a few steps from this marker); Colonel William Christian
this page online
More about this marker. In 1771 Col. William Christian built a home adjacent to this site now submerged by Claytor Lake. During the construction of Claytor Lake, one of the Christian chimneys was left standing in Claytor Lake as a memorial to William Christian at the Dunkard's Bottom site. One of the Dunkard chimneys including this Dunkard tablet was relocated and erected in 1937 in the middle of the triangular intersection of State Park Road and Wilderness Road by Count Pulaski Chapter D.A.R. Pulaski, VA. The relocated stones from each of these two chimneys were used in 1989 to construct the monument that presently resides near the Howe House at Claytor Lake State Park.
Regarding "Dunkard's Bottom". "...Thomas
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 2, 2011
2. Christian-Cloyd Chimney
Cloyds Mountain. The name Dunkards Bottom derived from earlier settlement of Dunkers, a German religious sect. Dunkers settled in several regions of southwestern Virginia during the eighteenth century. According to family history, Thomas Cloyd lived in one of the earlier German settlement houses until his large 2-story, 3-bay brick Greek Revival house was finished in the 1847, appropriately named Dunkards Bottom. When Haven Boyd Howe and Catherine McGavock Cloyd were married in 1873, she received a dower interest from David Cloyds estate (her grandfather). The area that became Howes Crescent Falls Stock Farm comprised of approximately 2000 acres of the significant Cloyd holdings. The land included mountain and river bottomland at the New River. A great portion of the property, including the Dunkards Bottom and house site of the same name, are under the present day Claytor Lake. A chimney that has been reconstructed near the Haven Boyd Howe House is thought to be from the Christian family house, one of the early homesteads that comprised the German settlement. The chimney was moved from Claytor Lake and reconstructed in 1989." National Register of Historic Places, Havcn B. Howe House. VDHR # 077-0047
Also see . . .
1. Claytor Lake State Park
3. "Dunkard's Bottom"
Dunkard's Bottom. Christian home right, Dunkard Cabin middle, Cloyd mansion left.
2. Haven B. Howe House. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on April 5, 2011.)
4. Dunkard's Bottom Monument
Dunkard's Bottom Monument in intersection of State Park Road and Wilderness Road before relocated to Claytor Lake State Park.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 2, 2011
5. Haven B. Howe House, ca. 1878
The back yard overlooked Dunkards Bottom when the New River flowed through the valley before 1939.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 2, 2011
6. Claytor Lake State Park Visitor Center
The historic Howe House now serves as the Park's VC.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,088 times since then and 120 times this year. Last updated on October 14, 2025, by Ryan Stubblebine of Dublin, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2025. 5, 6. submitted on April 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
