Near Huddleston in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Smith Mountain Lake
Bedford County
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017
1. Smith Mountain Lake Bedford County Marker
Appalachian Power Company constructed Smith Mountain and Leesville Dams between 1960 and 1963 to generate hydroelectric energy. The waters of the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake, one of two resulting reservoirs, which reached “full pond” (795 feet above sea level) on 7 March 1966. This 40-mile long lake, the largest wholly within Virginia, covered 20,600 acres that had primarily been farmland. With its scenic coves and 500 miles of shoreline, the lake became a recreational destination and gave rise to a thriving lakeside community. Smith Mountain Lake State Park was established on 15 July 1983.
Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-161.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • 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 March 7, 1966.
Location. 37° 4.728′ N, 79° 36.931′ W. Marker is near Huddleston, Virginia, in Bedford County. Marker is on Interpretive Trail, 1.7 miles south of State Park Road, on the right. It is in Smith Mountain Lake
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Moody Meeting House (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Smith Mountain Lake (approx. 5.4 miles away); Smith Mountain Project (approx. 5.7 miles away); I think that I owe a great deal of my present strength and ability to work to my love of... (approx. 6.7 miles away); Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail (approx. 6.8 miles away); Freed Here, At Last (approx. 7 miles away); How Tobacco Farms Used Slavery (approx. 7 miles away); Slavery on the Plantation (approx. 7 miles away).
More about this marker. It is inside Smith Mountain Lake Park. There is a fee per car to enter the park and the park closes at dusk.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Smith Mountain Lake. Destination Bedford Virginia website entry:
“Water sports have never known such a home. Nestled in the protective embrace of the mountains, this picturesque lake offers over 20,000 acres of playground for boaters, fishermen, swimmers, skiers, sailors, and water enthusiasts of all ages.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017
2. Smith Mountain Lake Bedford County Marker
via Virginia State Parks, unknown
3. Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Virginia State Parks website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on May 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
