Stuart in Patrick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Stuart

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

1. Stuart Marker

Inscription. This place, first known as Taylorsville for George Taylor, early settler, was established in 1792 after the formation of Patrick County. In 1849 it contained about fifty dwellings. The name was changed to Stuart for General J. E. B. Stuart, C. S. A., who was born in the county. The courthouse was built in 1852 and remodeled in 1928.

Erected 1941 by Virginia Conversation Commission. (Marker Number U-30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 36° 38.54′ N, 80° 16.172′ W. Marker is in Stuart, Virginia, in Patrick County. It is at the intersection of West Blue Ridge Street (Virginia Route 8) and North Main Street, on the left when traveling west on West Blue Ridge Street. It is at the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stuart VA 24171, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern 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 walking distance of this marker: Our Heroes (here, next to this marker); Captain Eliphaz Shelton (a few steps from this marker); Patrick County World War II and Korean War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Memorial

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(a few steps from this marker); Bull Mountain Crash (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crooked Road / Patrick County (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia's Mountain Spirit Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stuart.

Regarding Stuart. Stuart was the western terminus of the Danville and Western Railway. A 1925 timetable shows two daily trains in each direction connecting Stuart with the Southern Railway’s main line in Danville 75 rail miles away. In Danville, fast trains north to Washington, New York and Boston, and south to Atlanta and New Orleans ran frequently. But the trains between Stuart and Danville were never fast—the 1925 timetable quotes a five hour ride—and the railway was nicknamed the “delay and wait” and the “dick and willie.” The tracks to Stuart were abandoned in 1942.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “Following the economic difficulties of the civil war, the residents of Taylorsville focused their energies

Patrick County Courthouse and Stuart Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

2. Patrick County Courthouse and Stuart Marker

Marker is at the far right, to the right of the J.E.B. Stuart statue.

on expanding railroads to boost the economy. The Danville and New River Railroad was chartered in 1873. ... The first train pulled into Taylorsville in August 1884. With the growth associated with the railroad, Taylorsville was incorporated as a town in 1884 and was renamed Stuart in honor of Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart, who was born 20 miles southwest of town in Ararat, Virginia.

“Following the completion of the railroad, the town of Stuart continued to grow steadily. The population increased 25% from 300 in 1884 to 371 in 1900. While occupations continued to center around the courthouse activities and the typical needs of a community, the 1900 census reflects the influence of the railroad by citing four railroad employees, eight salesmen, one insurance agent, one mining engineer, and one timber dealer. Five teachers, three hotels, two druggists, and two bartenders also indicate the growth of the town. The construction of the railroad led to the distinction of ‘uptown’ and ‘downtown’ Stuart, since the original courthouse village was situated at the crest of a hill and an industrial and commercial area developed adjacent to the railroad, which was located further downhill along the Mayo River. ‘Uptown’ continued to serve as the center of the town with the courthouse, churches, school, attorneys’ offices, banks, hotels, and stores. The two areas, however,

Main Street Uptown Shopping District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

3. Main Street Uptown Shopping District

This view is from the courthouse.

were closely related and interdependent as is evidenced by the town’s first telephone line at the turn of the twentieth century being run between the railroad depot downtown and the Hotel Perkins uptown.” (Submitted on June 9, 2013.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 962 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of downtown business district • Can you help?