Burkes Garden in Tazewell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of James Burke’s Garden
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011
1. Site of James Burke’s Garden Marker
Burke’s Garden is named for James Burke who surveyed the region with James Patton by 1750. According to tradition, Burke buried some potato peelings in the region’s fertile soil during a survey expedition. Sometime later another group camped at the same site and discovered the potatoes, resulting in the area becoming known as Burke’s Garden. Burke built a cabin nearby and lived here from about 1753 until 1756 when hostilities began during the French and Indian War. Burke’s Garden is a topographically rare elongated basin rimmed entirely by the Garden Mountain.
Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number XL-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.
Location. 37° 6.283′ N, 81° 20.835′ W. Marker is in Burkes Garden, Virginia, in Tazewell County. It is on Burkes Garden Road (County Route 623) just north of Mapleton Road. Burkes Garden Road starts at State Route 61 and crosses Garden Mountain from the north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burkes Garden VA 24608, 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 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
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Wytheville (was approx. 7.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Burke's Garden, Virginia. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. A Different World: Burke's Garden. Virginia Living website entry (Submitted on December 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011
2. Site of James Burke’s Garden Marker
This view is to the north. Garden Mountain, which rings the small valley, is always visible in the distance.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011
3. Site of James Burke’s Garden Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011
4. View East from the Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,050 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
