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

The Courage Of Frank Padget

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, August 30, 2008

1. The Courage Of Frank Padget Marker

Town of Glasgow History entry
Scroll down for the Frank Padget story
Click for more information.

Inscription.
Heavy rains early in 1854 left the James River and the treacherous Balcony Falls, south of this site, in full flood. On 21 January the towrope of the canal boat, Clinton, snapped. Washed over the Mountain Dam and through successive falls, its passengers became stranded in the raging waters. Braving the dangerous river, Frank Padgett, an enslaved boatman, skillfully led a crew of five rescuers who successfully saved dozens of the stranded passengers. While he was attempting to rescue the last passenger, Padgett’s craft was broken on the rocks. Unable to fight the rushing current, Padgett drowned.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Z-119.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 37° 36.433′ N, 79° 25.85′ W. Marker is near Glasgow, Virginia, in Amherst County. Marker is on US 501 (U.S. 501) 3 miles east of VA 130, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Island VA 24526, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Amherst County / Rockbridge County (here, next to this marker); Indian and Settler Conflict

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(approx. 1.8 miles away); Frank Padget (approx. 2.1 miles away); Frank Padget Water Tragedy (approx. 2.1 miles away); Water Gap (approx. 5 miles away); Battery Creek Lock (approx. 5 miles away); Harry F. Byrd Memorial Bridge (approx. 5.1 miles away); James River (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glasgow.

View of with Courage Of Frank Padgett Marker with Amherst/Rockbridge County Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer

2. View of with Courage Of Frank Padgett Marker with Amherst/Rockbridge County Marker.

Viewed from Highway 501 with Amherst/Rockbridge County Marker in foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2013, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2013, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.