Near Norton in Wise County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Benges Gap
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011
1. Benges Gap Marker
Beginning in 1774, Chief Benge led a part of the Shawnee from the Ohio River on raids along the frontier. Benge, who was part white and part Cherokee. frequently captured slaves and then resold them; he also seized white women and children who were then adopted by various Indian groups. On 6 Apr. 1794, Benge attacked the Henry and Peter Livingston farm on the Holston River, took several residents prisoner, and marched them northeast. Three days later, when they entered the Powell Mountain gap just south, Lt. Vincent Hobbs and eleven Lee County militiamen ambushed them, killed Benge with the first volley, and freed the captives.
Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number X-22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR)
this page online
Location. 36° 54.785′ N, 82° 40.16′ W. Marker is near Norton, Virginia, in Wise County. It is on Orby Cantrell Highway (U.S. 23) south of Powell Valley Road, on the right when traveling north. It is at the James Walker Robinson Memorial Scenic Overlook on the northbound lanes just south of Norton. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3792 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Norton VA 24273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 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
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011
2. Benges Gap Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Resolution Declaring a Sasquatch / Bigfoot Sanctuary (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Integrated Little League Baseball Teams in Virginia (approx. 2.4 miles away); Norton (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Hotel Norton (approx. 2.6 miles away); Wise County Virginia Chamber of Commerce (approx. 2.6 miles away); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); From U.S.S. Constitution (approx. 2.7 miles away); Norton / Coeburn (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norton.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011
3. Dusk in the Valley
View from the overlook at Benges Gap just before 9 p.m.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,616 times since then and 284 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
