Glasgow in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Frank Padget Water Tragedy
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 18, 2011
1. Frank Padget Water Tragedy Marker
Heavy rains in late Jan. 1854 left the James River and the treacherous Balcony Falls in full flood. On 21 Jan., the canal boat Clinton and its passengers became stranded in the raging waters. Frank Padget, a skilled boatman and slave, led four other men to rescue them. In a heroic attempt to save the last passenger, Padget drowned, unable to fight the rushing current. Capt. Edward Echols, who witnessed Padgets act, was so moved he commissioned the construction of a granite obelisk monument that was erected beside Lock 16 of the Blue Ridge Canal. It now stands here in Glasgows Centennial Park.
Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-63.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1854.
Location. 37° 38.031′ N, 79° 27.029′
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Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frank Padget (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian and Settler Conflict (approx. 0.6 miles away); Amherst County / Rockbridge County (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Courage Of Frank Padget (approx. 2.1 miles away); Falling Spring Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Natural Bridge (approx. 5.1 miles away); a different marker also named Natural Bridge (approx. 5.1 miles away); A Miracle in Stone ... Old as the Dawn (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glasgow.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 18, 2011
2. Frank Padget Water Tragedy Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 18, 2011
3. Centennial Park, 1892-1992, Glasgow, Virginia
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 18, 2011
4. Frank Padget Obelisk
This obelisk was first erected on the Blue Ridge Canal at Lock 16.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,403 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 26, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
