Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Smithfield
Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009
1. Smithfield Marker
Smithfield, visible to the northeast, was the last home of Col. William Preston, a noted surveyor who fostered the settlement of western lands. Preston was also a Revolutionary officer, Indian fighter, and a member of the House of Burgesses. Built soon after 1773, Smithfield is one of the earliest surviving houses in southwestern Virginia. The house is a remarkable expression of architectural sophistication in what only a generation before had been the edge of the frontier. Smithfield remained in the possession of Preston descendants for almost two hundred years.
Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KG-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.
Location. 37° 12.646′ N, 80° 25.564′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is in Virginia Tech. It is on Southgate Drive north of Bypass U.S. 460, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg VA 24061, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 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
this page online
More about this marker. Marker was moved 500 yds south from its original location (GPS 37.21446, -80.42809) when Southgate Drive was reconfigured.
Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009
2. Smithfield Marker (original location)
Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009
3. Markers with Virginia Tech campus map
via William Preston's Smithfield, unknown
4. William Preston's Smithfield
Museum website homepage
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023
5. Area of marker's original location on old Southgate Drive.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,267 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 15, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on July 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker in new location. • Can you help?
