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

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015

1. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Marker

Inscription. The college was founded at 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, through the efforts of local citizens and University of Virginia officials including President Colgate W. Darden, Jr.; Samuel H. Crockett, extension services director in Southwest Virginia; and George Zehmer, director of the extension division. Located on the former Wise County Poor Farm, the college began as a two-year co-educational branch of the University of Virginia. In 1970, Clinch Valley Collect awarded its first bachelor’s degrees. In 1999 it became The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. It is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts college.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KA-19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 36° 58.206′ N, 82° 33.61′ W. Marker is in Wise, Virginia, in Wise County. It is on Thomas Jefferson Drive (Route 382) north of Coeburn Mountain Road (Route 646), on the right when traveling north. It is off the parking lot next to Joseph C. Smiddy Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wise VA 24293, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wise (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gladeville in the Civil War (approx. 1.2 miles away); E.M. Fulton House (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Wise (approx. 1.6 miles away); Napoleon Hill (approx. 1.9 miles away); Norton / Coeburn (approx. 3½ miles away); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Norton (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wise.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “The college was first conceived by local residents who petitioned the University of Virginia to establish a college in Wise. As support for a college grew, the Commonwealth of Virginia appropriated $5,000 to open, staff, and operate the college as a two-year junior college on a trial basis for a year; and if successful, another $5,000 would be available for a second year. In the winter of 1954, the local community matched the commonwealth’s funds and collected over $6,000 to furnish the classrooms and use for supplies. Wise County donated over 400-acre of property that included two sandstone buildings, the property had once served as the county's poor farm. Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia opened in September 1954 with an enrollment of 100 freshmen. Clinch Valley College became the westernmost state-supported

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015

2. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Marker

It might be hard to find when all the trees are in leaf.

college in Virginia. Prior to its opening, Virginia lacked public colleges west of Radford.” (Submitted on November 22, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 880 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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