Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Stonewall Jackson Female Institute

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

1. Stonewall Jackson Female Institute Marker

Inscription.
Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church established the institute in 1868 for the education of young women. As a tribute, it was named for Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The Floyd family property was purchased in Feb. 1868 to house the school. Classes began on 15 Sept. 1868, when boarding and day students as young as seven enrolled. It was renamed the Stonewall Jackson College in 1914 when the Montgomery Presbytery assumed joint ownership. On 24 Nov. 1914, the main buildings were destroyed by fire. The college continued to operate until 1930 when it closed because of mounting debts.

Erected 2000 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1868.

Location. 36° 42.638′ N, 81° 58.47′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 11) and Partington Place, on the right when traveling north on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area,

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

within walking distance of this marker: Barter Theatre (here, next to this marker); Governor John B. Floyd (a few steps from this marker); William Rodefer House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crooked Road / Abingdon (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Barter Stage II (within shouting distance of this marker); Martha Washington College (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022

2. Stonewall Jackson Female Institute Marker

The marker is in the middle of three markers. The retaining wall was originally built for the Institute.

Barter Stage II Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 1, 2023

3. Barter Stage II Building

The sole remaining Institute building. See Nearby marker.

Stonewall Jackson Diploma image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Zack Ellison, June 2025

4. Stonewall Jackson Diploma

This is a picture of my aunt’s diploma from 1928.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 120,441 times since then and 8,141 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 23, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on October 2, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Zack Ellison of Columbus, Indiana.