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

Polly Woods' Ordinary

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 17, 2008

1. Polly Woods' Ordinary Marker

Inscription. Built in the early 1800's, this simple mountain cabin was operated as an inn, or "ordinary", from about 1830 until about 1850. Here the widowed Polly Woods catered to the "ordinary" needs of the weary mountain traveler -- a hot meal, a comfortable bed, and a place to stable his horse. Originally located 150 yards to the west, the building was moved to its present site in 1964.

Erected by U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Natl. Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Blue Ridge Parkway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 37° 26.721′ N, 79° 36.112′ W. Marker is near Bedford, Virginia, in Bedford County. It can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 86), 0.6 miles Peaks Road (Virginia Route 43). Peaks of Otter Lodge is in the Blue Ridge Mountains about nine miles from Bedford. The marker is close to the dam for Abbott Lake. Park at Peaks of Otter Lodge, walk left (south) along the lake. Near the dam you'll see a sign to the ordinary. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Bedford VA 24523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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Abbott Lake (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Big Spring (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hotel Mons (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Community at "the Mons" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sharp Top Mountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Peaks of Otter (approx. half a mile away); Johnson Farm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Johnson Farm Apple House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bedford.

Also see . . . Peaks of Otter Lodge. (Submitted on July 28, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Abbott Lake
On the HMdb map, Abbott Lake is labeled Peak of Otter Pond.

— Submitted July 28, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.

Additional keywords. lodging

Polly Woods' Ordinary and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 17, 2008

2. Polly Woods' Ordinary and Marker

The Ordinary as seen from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 17, 2008

3. The Ordinary as seen from the marker

Directional Sign to Polly Woods' Ordinary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft

4. Directional Sign to Polly Woods' Ordinary

This sign near the Abbott Lake Dam indicates the ordinary's location in relation to other points of interest at Peaks of Otter.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,302 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.