Near Rural Retreat in Wythe County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Site of Mount Airy

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

1. Site of Mount Airy Marker

Inscription. In 1811, Martin Staley transferred land here to his son Valentine. A year later, his son formed the town of Mount (Mt.) Airy, sometimes referred to as Staleytown. The tract was divided into about 72 lots, including Main Street, Cross Street, and a public square. Following Valentine Staley's death in 1817, his wife and children successfully petitioned the General Assembly to sell more lots. With the establishment of a nearby railroad center at what became Rural Retreat and an attack on Mount Airy by Federal troops during the Civil War, Mount Airy ceased to exist about 1875.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.

Location. 36° 54.193′ N, 81° 18.632′ W. Marker is near Rural Retreat, Virginia, in Wythe County. It is on West Lee Highway (U.S. 11) just west of Kimberling Road (County Route 682). U.S. 11 parallels I-81 between exits 64 and 60. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rural Retreat VA 24368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

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 11 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies: Early Settlers (approx. 3.6 miles away); Henry C. Groseclose (approx. 8.1 miles away); Battle of Wytheville (approx. 8.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Wytheville (approx. 9.9 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Marion (approx. 10.6 miles away); State Fish Hatchery (approx. 10.8 miles away); Sherwood Anderson (approx. 10.8 miles away); Wythe County / Bland County (approx. 10.9 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Engagement at Marion (was approx. 10.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); Battle of Marion (was approx. 10.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Battle of Wytheville (was approx. 10.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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

2. Site of Mount Airy Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,886 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.