Near Narrows in Giles County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
New River
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 30, 2015
1. New River Marker
The New River is estimated to be more than 100 million years old, making it one of the oldest rivers in the world. It is a remnant of the prehistoric Teays River. The first written documentation of the New River was by explorers Thomas Batte and Robert Hallow. A Totera Indian guide led them there on 13 Sept. 1671. First called Woods River, most likely for Abraham Wood, who launched the expedition, it became known as the New River by the middle of the 18th century. The New River is known for its treacherous current and stretches more than 300 miles through Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KG-19.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • 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 September 13, 1671.
Location. 37° 22.174′ N, 80° 49.161′ W. Marker is near Narrows, Virginia, in Giles County. It is on Virginia Avenue (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling east. It can only be seen
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Highlands, and in the New River Gorge. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Giles County / West Virginia (approx. 2.1 miles away); West Virginia / Monroe County (approx. 2.2 miles away in West Virginia); Peterstown (approx. 2.2 miles away in West Virginia); Home of the Jones Diamond (approx. 2.2 miles away in West Virginia);
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 30, 2015
2. New River Marker
US 360 eastbound is on the left, and the road down to the boat ramp is on the right. Wolf Creek (New River) can be glimpsed to the right of the No Parking sign. The eastbound lanes of US 360 were built on the Virginian Railways tracks between Glen Lyn and Narrows.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. It is a list of other New River markers.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for New River. “It was named the New River because it was not known to early Atlantic Coast explorers. Despite its name, the New River is one of the five oldest rivers in the world geologically, and the only non-tidal river that crosses the Appalachian Mountains.”
...
“This low-level crossing of the Appalachians, many millions of years old, has long been a biogeographical corridor allowing numerous species of plants and animals to spread between the lowlands of the American East Coast and those of the Midwest; other unusual kinds of plants occur on the gorges cliffs or rim-top ledges. Portions of this corridor are now also used by various railroads and highways, and some segments of
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 30, 2015
3. View of Wolf Creek (New River) from the Boat Ramp Looking Upstream
The Norfolk Southern Railway tracks are on the distant bank. These tracks were originally laid by the Norfolk & Western Railway.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 909 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
