On Fort Chriswell Road (U.S. 52) south of Lead Mine Road (Virginia Route 69).
Carroll County. Area 458 Square Miles. Formed in 1842 from Grayson, and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. New River runs through this County.
Wythe County. Area 479 . . . — — Map (db m24972) HM
On Fort Chiswell Road (U.S. 520) just south of Austinville Road (County Route 619), on the left when traveling south.
Fincastle County, established in 1772, was formed from Botetourt County. The Fincastle County seat was located opposite the lead mines on the north side of the New River in the western end of present day Austinville. In 1775, the Fincastle County . . . — — Map (db m43358) HM
Near Shottower Road (Virginia Route 624) 0.3 miles west of Fort Chiswell Road (Virginia Route 52), on the left when traveling north.
For over 30 years the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower manufactured ammunition for a growing nation. It remains as a token of an era long gone, standing as a symbol of America's industrial sovereignty.
English Immigrant Thomas Jackson, came to the . . . — — Map (db m198108) HM
On Fort Chiswell Road (U.S. 52) 0.2 miles north of Foster Falls Road, on the right when traveling south.
By 1770 Capt. William Herbert had established a ferry across the nearby New River that became known as Jackson’s Ferry. Thomas Jackson erected the 75-foot shot tower in the early 1800s to manufacture shot for firearms. The Austinville mines supplied . . . — — Map (db m32514) HM
Near Virginia Route 623 west of Foster Falls Road (Virginia Route 608), on the left when traveling west.
"Forged by mountains, river and America's desire for progress, the New River Trail State Park provides you unparalleled opportunities for physical, intellectual and spiritual adventures."
For centuries ferries have existed, primarily . . . — — Map (db m238245) HM
Near Store Hill Road (Virginia Route 636) south of Austinville Road (Virginia Route 619), on the left when traveling south.
"Forged by mountains, river and America's desire for progress, the 57-mile New River Trail State Park provides you unparalleled opportunities for physical, in intellectual and spiritual adventures."
Flowing across the Appalachian Plateau, the . . . — — Map (db m198112) HM
Near Virginia Route 623 west of Foster Falls Road (Virginia Route 608), on the left when traveling west.
In 1807 the Shot Tower was built at one of the main crossing points on the New Riuer, known as Jackson's Ferry. A hand drawn ferry operated on the site from 1758 to 1930 when it was replaced by the Route 52 bridge.
The I-77 bridge was opened in . . . — — Map (db m198109) HM
Near Shottower Road (County Road 624) at Pauley Flatwoods (County Road 608).
This renovated gray limestone shot tower was used to manufacture lead shot. This tower provides a visible example of a nineteenth century commercial venture in southwest Virginia. Construction of the tower, believed to have been built in the early . . . — — Map (db m155686) HM
Near Virginia Route 623 west of Foster Falls Road (Virginia Route 608), on the left when traveling west.
For over 30 years the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower manufactured ammunition for a growing nation. It remains as a token of an era long gone, standing as a symbol of America's industrial sovereignty.
English Immigrant Thomas Jackson came to the . . . — — Map (db m198111) HM
On Fort Chiswell Road (U.S. 52) at Lead Mine Road (Virginia Route 69), on the right when traveling north on Fort Chiswell Road.
Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) was born near Austinville, three miles west of here. His father, Moses Austin, operated a substantial lead mine and smelting business nearby before moving the family to what is now Missouri in 1798. Moses Austin won . . . — — Map (db m228341) HM
Near Store Hill Road (Virginia Route 636) 0.1 miles south of Virginia Route 619, on the left when traveling south.
Stephen Fuller Austin, son of
Moses and Mary (Maria) Brown
Austin, was born in this
community on November 3, 1793.
His father and uncle
Stephen Austin operated the
lead mines here from about 1789
to 1798. The family and numerous
members of . . . — — Map (db m228330) HM
Near Fort Chiswell Road (U.S. 52) at Pauley Flatwoods (County Road 608).
In spite of its name, the New River is one of the oldest in the world and one of a few that flows north. Beginning in North Carolina, it flows through Virginia and into West Virginia. The New River was known as Wood’s River until settlers re-named . . . — — Map (db m155760) HM
On Austinville Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling east.
An important source of ammunition for the Revolutionary War and of The Courthouse of Fincastle County 1772-1776
Here on January 20 1775, The Committee of Safety of Fincastle County adopted resolutions boldly declaring their determination never to . . . — — Map (db m125299) HM
On Grayson Turnpike (U.S. 21) just north of Forest Road 57, on the left when traveling south.
Whythe County. Area 479 Square Miles. Formed in 1789 from Montgomery, and named for George Wythe, signer of the Declaration of Independence. New River flows through the county.
Grayson County. Area 425 Square . . . — — Map (db m65748) HM
On U.S. 52 at Exit 80 (Interstate 81), on the right when traveling south on U.S. 52.
One mile north is a plantation that was surveyed in March 1748, and patented, in June, 1753, by Colonel John Buchanan and named by him “Anchor and Hope.” There in 1792 an academy was established to teach oratory. The pioneer educator, Thomas E. . . . — — Map (db m238244) HM
Near East Lee Highway (Route F-044 Frontage Road) 0.9 miles east of Max Meadows Road (Virginia Road 121), on the left when traveling east.
Built by Colonel William Byrd for his expedition against the Cherokees, military outpost of Southwest Virginia 1758-76, county-seat of old Montgomery County 1776-1790, strategic point in the defence of the lead mines during the Revolution. . . . — — Map (db m232956) HM
On U.S. 52 at Exit 80 (Interstate 81), on the right when traveling south on U.S. 52.
Nine miles south on New River. Discovered in 1756 by Colonel John Chiswell, these mines supplied lead for the Patriots in the Revolutionary War. Tories attempted to seize them in 1780 but were suppressed. — — Map (db m43346) HM
On East Lee Highway (Virginia Route F-044) 0.2 miles west of White Oaks Farm Lane, on the right when traveling west.
Pulaski County
Area 333 square miles
Formed in 1839 from Wythe and Montgomery, and named for Count Casimir Pulaski, killed at the siege of Savannah, 1779. New River flows through this county.
Wythe County
Area . . . — — Map (db m209767) HM
Near East Lee Highway (Route F-044 Frontage Road) 0.9 miles east of Max Meadows Road (Virginia Road 121), on the left when traveling east.
The Wilderness Road of colonial days ran near this marker. Prior to 1800 more than 60,000 settlers traveled this road and helped found civilization in southwest-Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. — — Map (db m232957) HM
On Sylvatus Smith Highway (Virginia Route 100) at Henley Drive, on the right when traveling south on Sylvatus Smith Highway.
Wythe County. Area 479 Square Miles. Formed in 1789 from Montgomery, and named for George Wythe, signer of the Declaration of Independence. New River flows through this county.
Carroll County. Area 458 Square . . . — — Map (db m99367) HM
On Virginia Route 639, on the right when traveling north.
"Forged by mountains, river and America's desire for progress, the
57-mile New River Trail State Park provides you unparalleled
opportunities for physical, intellectual and spiritual adventures."
Diagram Courteous of Quarries and Beyond, . . . — — Map (db m162924) HM
Near Riverview Road (Virginia Route 639) 0.2 miles north of Ivanhoe Road (Virginia Route 94), on the right when traveling north.
"Forged by mountains, river and America's desire for progress, the 57-mile New River Trail State Park provides you unparalleled opportunities for physical, intellectual and spiritual adventures."
Ivanhoe, like other small towns that . . . — — Map (db m162923) HM
Near Riverview Road (Virginia Route 639) north of Ivanhoe Road, on the right when traveling north.
The abundant natural resources of Southwestern Virginia brought settlement and transportation to the area, helped
supply wars, and provided the building blocks essential to a growing a nation.
Just over a hundred years ago this peaceful, . . . — — Map (db m162922) HM
Near Riverview Road (Virginia Route 639) north of Ivanhoe Road (Virginia Route 94), on the right when traveling north.
The abundant natural resources of Southwestern Virginia brought settlement and transportation to the area, helped supply wars, and provided the building blocks essential to a growing a nation.
Just over a hundred years ago this peaceful, . . . — — Map (db m198107) HM
On Fort Chriswell Road (U.S. 52) just north of Lead Mine Road (Virginia Route 69). Reported missing.
Near Austinville, five miles west, was born Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas", November, 1793. He began his colonization work in 1821. — — Map (db m24971) HM
Near Orphanage Drive (State Highway 623) west of Foster Falls Road (State Route 608), on the right when traveling west.
In the 19th century, dozens of iron furnaces and forges dotted the New River Valley due to its high mineral content. The town of Foster Falls was a product of this iron industry.
The furnace built by the Foster Falls Mining and Manufacturing . . . — — Map (db m233182) HM
On Orphanage Drive (State Highway 623) west of Foster Falls Road (Route 608).
This historic structure stands empty now; however its past still lives within its walls. The Foster Falls Hotel once was the center piece to a small, thriving mining community.
In 1887, the Foster Falls Mining and Manufacturing Co. were . . . — — Map (db m233183) HM
Near County Road 623, 0.2 miles west of Foster Falls Road (County Road 608), on the right when traveling west.
The railroad station at Foster Falls is located along a section of rail branching from Norfolk and Southern's Radford Division Line near the town of Pulaski. The extension snakes south and branches to Galax and Fries. This line, called the Cripple . . . — — Map (db m155708) HM
On West Lee Highway (U.S. 11) just west of Kimberling Road (County Route 682).
In 1811, Martin Staley transferred land here to
his son Valentine. A year later, his son formed
the town of Mount (Mt.) Airy, sometimes referred
to as Staleytown. The tract was divided into about
72 lots, including Main Street, Cross Street, and . . . — — Map (db m44955) HM
On South Scenic Highway (U.S. 52) at Old Mountain Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling south on South Scenic Highway.
On July 13, 1863, Union Col. John T. Toland led 872 officers and men of the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Piatt, West Virginia, into Southwest Virginia to attack the railroads, telegraphs, and salt and lead mines . . . — — Map (db m44023) HM
On North 4th Street / Stony Fork Road (U.S. 52) at Exit 70 (Interstate 81), on the right when traveling north on North 4th Street / Stony Fork Road.
On July 13, 1863, Union Colonel John T. Toland led 872 officers and men of
the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Piatt,
West Virginia, into Southwest Virginia to attack the railroads, telegraphs, and salt and lead mines . . . — — Map (db m44881) HM
On Black Lick Road (Virginia Route 680) 0.2 miles south of Stony Fork Road (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling south.
On July 13, 1863, Union Col. John T. Toland led 872 officers and men of the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Piatt, West Virginia, into Southwest Virginia to attack the railroads, telegraphs and salt and lead mines essential . . . — — Map (db m67323) HM
On Stony Fork Road (U.S. 52) at Krenning Road (Virginia Route 717), on the right when traveling south on Stony Fork Road.
On July 13, 1863, Union Col. John T. Toland led 872 officers and men of the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Piatt, West Virginia, into Southwest Virginia to attack the railroads, telegraphs, and salt and lead mines essential . . . — — Map (db m67326) HM
On Tazewell Street at East Pine Street, on the right when traveling north on Tazewell Street.
On July 13, 1863, Union Col. John T. Toland led 872 officers and men of the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Piatt, West Virginia, into Southwest Virginia to attack the railroads, telegraphs, and salt and lead mines . . . — — Map (db m208785) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) just west of 1st Street, on the right when traveling west.
Near his site, and with the sponsorship of Wytheville
civic organizations, J. Hampton Rich, Director of the
Boone 'Fran Highway & Memorial Association,
erected the original monument in 1928. It was one of
many placed across the nation to . . . — — Map (db m44923) HM
On Crocketts Cove Road (County Route 600) at Cove Road (County Route 603), on the right when traveling east on Crocketts Cove Road.
Crockett’s Cove has been home to the Crockett
family for two centuries. It was named for
Lt. John Crockett, Sr. (1737–1799), son of Samuel
and Esther Thompson Crockett, a Revolutionary
War veteran buried in the family cemetery a
mile . . . — — Map (db m43553) HM
Near Crockett's Cove Road (Virginia Route 600) 2.5 miles east of Cove Road (Virginia Route 603), on the right when traveling east.
The oldest surviving Church building in Wythe County in constant use, having been listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1989 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
This historic building located in the heart of . . . — — Map (db m193308) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) near 1st Street, on the left when traveling west.
Edith Bolling Wilson was born here on 15 Oct.
1872, where she lived with her parents Judge
William H. and Sallie White Bolling and ten
siblings. Edith Bolling married Norman Galt in
1896 and after his death in 1908 she operated
his Washington, . . . — — Map (db m44916) HM
Near North 4th Street (U.S. 52) at Holston Road, on the right when traveling west.
St. John Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church, formally organized in 1799, is an important Wythe County historical landmark located at the intersection of Interstate 81 and U.S. Routes 21/52. The congregation came into being as a result . . . — — Map (db m162927) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 11) west of Tazewell Street, on the right when traveling west.
A pioneer and soldier of the American Revolutionary War. Enlisted in Montgomery County and served in the companies of Captain Findlay and Captain James Kent.
The first court held for Wythe County in the town of Wytheville was at the home of . . . — — Map (db m228344) HM
On Krenning Road (Virginia Route 717) 1.5 miles west of Interstate 77, on the left when traveling west.
Can you see the old homestead of Buck and Ollie Astin in the clearing ahead? Even though the house and foundation are gone, there are still signs that reveal people’s presence in the forest.
Living Clues to the Past
Here you will find . . . — — Map (db m67329) HM
On West Monroe Street east of North 4th Street (U.S. 21), on the left when traveling east.
L represents the role the railroad played in the development of Wytheville. In 1847, as a result of the efforts of Thomas J. Boyd, the "Father of Wytheville", the rail line was extended from Lynchburg, Virginia to Wytheville, making it . . . — — Map (db m208892) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) at Withers Road, on the right when traveling north on East Main Street.
Robert Enoch Withers was born in Campbell County on 18 Sept. 1821. After graduation from the medical department at the University of Virginia in 1841, he practiced medicine in Campbell County and Danville until 1861. During the Civil War Withers . . . — — Map (db m208890) HM
On North 4th Street / Sony Fork Road (U.S. 52) at Exit 70 (Interstate 81), on the right when traveling north on North 4th Street / Sony Fork Road.
German settlers formed a congregation here that was a center of Lutheranism in Virginia throughout the 19th century. The church built around 1800 was replaced by the present structure in 1854. The cemetery has distinctive stones dating from 1804 to . . . — — Map (db m44891) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) east of South 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
St. John's Episcopal Church
Completed in 1857
Designated as a
Virginia Historical
Landmark
and listed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
2008 — — Map (db m208777) HM
Near North 4th Street (U.S. 52) at Holston Road, on the right when traveling east.
The Reverend George Daniel Flohr, founding father of St. John Lutheran Church, served as its pastor from 1799 10 1826. This house, erected on property purchased by Father Flohr in 1807, was located about one mile west of the church. In 1984, the log . . . — — Map (db m162925) HM
On West Monroe Street at Tazewell Street, on the left when traveling east on West Monroe Street.
The Haller-Gibboney Rock House
has been registered as a
Virginia Historic Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Act of 1966
This property has been placed on the
National Register . . . — — Map (db m208894) HM
On West Monroe Street east of North 4th Street (U.S. 21), on the left when traveling east.
On the night of August 15, 1926, a mob of rowdy Wythe County citizens forced their way into the Wythe County jail that stood on this site until 1928. Overpowering the county jailer, the mob breached the cell in which a black man, Raymond Arthur . . . — — Map (db m208773) HM
On Stony Fork Road / South Scenic Highway (U.S. 52) at Old Mountain Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling south on Stony Fork Road / South Scenic Highway.
Col. John T. Toland of the 34th Regiment Mounted Ohio Volunteer Infantry leading Federal cavalrymen, marched from Tazewell County, and raided Wytheville during the evening of 18 July 1863. Confederate troops under Maj. Thomas M. Bowyer and local . . . — — Map (db m68018) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) at Exit 73 (Interstate 81), on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Walter Crockett was born in the 1730s. By 1760, he had joined the Augusta County militia. Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, he subsequently served in the militias of Botentourt, Fincastle, and then Montgomery Counties, beginning in 1769. He . . . — — Map (db m44893) HM
Near Crockett's Cove Road (Virginia Route 600) 2.5 miles east of Cove Road (Virginia Route 603), on the right when traveling east.
The two sides met at the Gap of Crockett's Cove about two miles southwest of here. When darkness fell General W.W. Averell and his Union Troops retreated leaving 114 dead and wounded. Seventeen of the wounded were left at this church where the local . . . — — Map (db m193305) HM
On Tazewell Street at East North Street, on the left when traveling west on Tazewell Street.
Meet Thomas J. Boyd
Thomas Jefferson Boyd, known as the "Father of Wytheville," was born on June 15, 1804, in Albemarle County. After graduating in the first class of the University of Virginia Law School, he moved to Wytheville to . . . — — Map (db m209000) HM
On Peppers Ferry Road (County Route 610) 2.1 miles east of Interstate 77.
The 340-acre Wythe County Poorhouse Farm was established in 1858 for the care of the elderly, disabled, and impoverished people of Wythe County. It was governed by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and owned by the county until 1957 when the . . . — — Map (db m1820) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 11) just west of 1st Street, on the right when traveling west.
When Wythe County was formed, this place became the county seat under the name of Evansham. It was incorporated in 1839 as Wytheville. The old Wilderness Road to Cumberland Gap passed here. In July, 1863, Toland’s Raiders captured the town. In May, . . . — — Map (db m208766) HM
On East Franklin Street at South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Franklin Street.
By 1867, the Freedmen's Bureau began educating African Americans recently freed from enslavement in Wytheville and soon a building was constructed for the students. In 1882, the Evansham School District and the Franklin Street Methodist Episcopal . . . — — Map (db m72072) HM
