Gate City in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Carter Musical Family

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

1. Carter Musical Family Marker

Inscription. The Carter Family of Scott County, the "First Family of Country Music", consisted of Alvin Pleasant "A.P." Carter (1891-1960), who sang and composed; Sara E. Doughtery Carter (1898-1979), who sang lead and played the guitar and autoharp; and Maybelle Addington Carter (1909-1978), who sang and played the guitar and auto harp. After their first recording session in Bristol for the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1927, the trio enjoyed tremendous popularity, appearing on the radio, and recording more than 250 songs until 1943. The Carter Family incorporated unique harmony vocals into traditional tunes and orginial material. A.P. and Sarah Carter are buried in Maces Springs, VA near Hiltons. Maybelle Carter is buried in Hendersonville, Tenn.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KA-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • 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 1927.

Location. 36° 38.266′ N, 82° 33.698′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 23/58) 0.3 miles east

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of Kane Street (Business U.S. 421), on the right when traveling west. Located in Gateway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3808 US-23, Gate City VA 24251, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Cities Area

and 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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: John P. McConnell (a few steps from this marker); Moccasin Gap (within shouting distance of this marker); First Court of Scott County (within shouting distance of this marker); Donelson's Indian Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Prospect Public School (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackmore’s Fort (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gate City (approx. 0.4 miles away); Faris (Ferris) Station (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gate City.

Other markers no longer nearby. Donelson's Indian Line (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Big Moccasin Gap (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named First Court of Scott County (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); McConnell's Birthplace (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This marker was originally located 0.4 miles south (GPS

Carter Musical Family Marker at its new location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

2. Carter Musical Family Marker at its new location

36.63486, -82.55511). It was one of five markers at its original site, documented by photographs in both 2008 and 2010. The post marking its original location remained in place as recently as 2017.

Also see . . . The Carter Family Fold. (Submitted on April 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Former Location of Carter Family Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

3. Former Location of Carter Family Marker

The empty post in the foreground held the marker for many years before it was moved 500 feet west to a wayside park.

Carter Musical Family Marker, at its original location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Summers, January 31, 2008

4. Carter Musical Family Marker, at its original location

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2008, by Beverly Summers of Lakeland, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,088 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 15, 2008, by Beverly Summers of Lakeland, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.