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

Faris (Ferris) Station

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

1. Faris (Ferris) Station Marker

Inscription. About two miles east of Moccasin Gap, Elisha Faris (Ferris) in 1787 obtained 116 acres on both sides of the Moccasin Creek. He and his family settled in the area about 1782 and their home became a stop on the Wilderness Road. On 26 Aug. 1791, Bob Benge, also known as “Chief Benge” and “Capt. Bench,” and other Native Americans raided the Faris property and killed Elisha Faris, his wife, and a couple other family members. Benge conducted raids in the region and other neighboring states during an extended period of conflict in response to attacks on Cherokee communities in the South.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-12.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • 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 1782.

Location. 36° 38.313′ N, 82° 34.216′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. It is on Kane Street (Business U.S. 58) east of Jones Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 295 Kane St, 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

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this marker: Gate City (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blackmore’s Fort (about 400 feet away); Prospect Public School (approx. half a mile away); Donelson's Indian Line (approx. half a mile away); First Court of Scott County (approx. half a mile away); Moccasin Gap (approx. half a mile away); John P. McConnell (approx. half a mile away); Carter Musical Family (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gate City.

More about this marker. A 1931 marker with this number but simply titled “Faris Station” stood at the intersection of Kane and Jackson Streets in Gate City until at least 1994. It read “Near by stood the home and tavern of Elisha Faris, an early station on the Boone trail to Kentucky. Indians led by Chief Benge here massacred members of the Faris family in 1791.”

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

2. Faris (Ferris) Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,564 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.