Near Gratton in Tazewell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Shawver Mill

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011

1. Shawver Mill Marker

Inscription. The Shawver Mill community grew up here around the gristmill that George Shawver built before 1860. William Leffel and Adam Britts soon built sawmills, and the community developed like many in Virginia during the 19th century. By 1911 it sustained a general store, Odd Fellows hall, post office, cemetery, two churches, and a baseball team. The end of milling operations in 1947, together with new road construction, diminished the community. By 1992 only the mill dam, the cemetery on the hill, and Chestnut Grove Church survived.

Erected 1992 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number XH-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 37° 9.198′ N, 81° 21.357′ W. Marker is near Gratton, Virginia, in Tazewell County. It is at the intersection of Virginia Route 61 and Mill Road, on the right when traveling west on Virginia Route 61. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tazewell VA 24651, 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 markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Burke’s Garden (approx. 2 miles away); Site of James Burke’s Garden

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(approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Burke’s Garden (approx. 6.4 miles away); Molly Tynes’s Ride (approx. 6.4 miles away); Maple Hill Cemetery, African American Section (approx. 7 miles away); Bluefield Virginia (approx. 7.1 miles away); First Court for Tazewell County (approx. 7.4 miles away); William Wynne’s Fort (approx. 7.9 miles away).

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011

2. Shawver Mill Marker

The Remains of Shawver Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011

3. The Remains of Shawver Mill

The marker is visible in the upper right of the photo.

Shawver Mill, Dam and Millpond image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 28, 2011

4. Shawver Mill, Dam and Millpond

Chestnut Grove Christian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2023

5. Chestnut Grove Christian Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,957 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on July 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.