Warm Springs in Bath County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mary Johnston
(1870 – 1936)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2013
1. Mary Johnston Marker
Mary Johnston, a novelist, historian, playwright, suffragist, and social advocate, lived here at Three Hills. Born in Botetourt County, Johnston published 23 novels between 1898 and 1936 and became the first woman to top best-seller lists in the 20th century with To Have and To Hold (1900). She became an early and influential member of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia. Later she used her writing as a platform to condemn lynching. In 19l2, Johnston moved here and built Three Hills to a grand Classical Revival style.
Erected 2013 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-35.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 38° 2.83′ N, 79° 47.173′ W. Marker is in Warm Springs, Virginia, in Bath County. Marker is at the intersection of Sam Snead Highway (U.S. 220) and Three Hills Lane, on the left when traveling south on Sam Snead Highway. It is at the entrance to Three Hills estate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Warm Springs VA 24484, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
this page online
Regarding Mary Johnston. Mary Johnston and her sisters opened Three Hills as an inn in 1917. She built it with royalties from her novels in 1913. The manor house and cottages accommodate up to 45 guests. When the marker was erected in 2013, the inn was closed and the 27 acre estate was for sale with an asking price of $1.4 million.
Also see . . .
1. Mary Johnston: A Suffragist Of, And Ahead Of, Her Time. The UnCommonwealth website entry (Submitted on March 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. To Have and to Hold. 1907 book by Mary Johnston on Amazon.com. (Submitted on October 23, 2013.)
3. Three Hills. Virginia Department of Historic Resources website entry (Submitted on March 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. women's
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2013
2. Mary Johnston Marker
The green sign reads “Three Hills Inn, a Boutique Chateau & Bistro” and has the inn’s “3” logo.
J. J. Prats Collection, October 21, 2013
3. Postcard of Three Hills Manor House
The card is titled “ ‘Three Hills’ Warm Springs, Virginia”. Undated. The back reads “The finest American made view post cards–The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2013
4. Entrance Gate to Three Hills
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,211 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
