On North Amherst Highway (U.S. 29) south of Ty River Road, on the right when traveling north.
On 11 June 1864, about 800 yards east, the Botetourt Battery prevented the destruction of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad bridge across the Tye River. This bridge was an important part of the Confederate railroad network for the movement of . . . — — Map (db m10227) HM
Near East Court Street at Goodwin Street when traveling east.
Confederate Soldiers
1861 - 1865
To the memory of
The Sons of Amherst County
who from 1861 to 1865
upheld in arms the cause
of Virginia and the South,
who fell in battle
or died from wounds,
and survivors of the war
who as . . . — — Map (db m67324) WM
On Kenmore Road (County Route 643) just east of Matohe Road and Father Judge Road (County Route 655), on the left when traveling west.
Bear Mountain is the spiritual center of the
Monacan community. The Bear Mountain Indian
Mission School, ca. 1868, was originally built for
church services and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Virginia’s racial
segregation . . . — — Map (db m104369) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
Amherst County man killed in the bombing of the Marine Headquarters.
Michael D. Fulcher of Madison Heights
Corporal Fulcher is honored and remembered by all the Amherst County area as the only local of the 241 service members killed . . . — — Map (db m179513) HM WM
On Gordons Fairgrounds Road (Virginia Route 777) 0.1 miles south of Richmond Highway (U.S. 60), on the left when traveling south.
Amherst County opened Central High School here in 1956 to serve African American students. The school, established at the same time as the all-white Amherst County High School, was built in an effort to create "separate but equal" facilities despite . . . — — Map (db m179501) HM
On South Amherst Highway (Business U.S. 29) south of North Coolwell Road (County Route 663).
Near here lived Anthony and Benjamin Rucker,
inventors of the James River batteau, which
superseded the double dugout canoe and rolling
road for transporting tobacco hogsheads. These
long (about 50 or 60 feet), double-ended vessels
dominated . . . — — Map (db m46342) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Star Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
The Amherst County Museum is currently located in a Georgian Revival home built in 1907. It was built by a local pharmacist, Mr. Kearfott, who had his business at the same location as the former Amherst Pharmacy on Main Street. Mr. Kearfott and . . . — — Map (db m179525) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) just north of Star Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Museum, working with the Virginia Department of Transportation, arranged for the Museum's acquisition of this rare highway milepost.
In May 2003, the cast concrete obelisk, approximately 2 feet tall and 10 inches square, was moved from . . . — — Map (db m179524) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
Since World War I, more than 92,000 American Soldiers are unaccounted for.
This bench is dedicated to the memory of these brave men and women and the sacrifices each made in serving this country.
God Bless You. God Bless America.
You . . . — — Map (db m179510) WM
On South Amherst Highway (U.S. 29) south of North Coolwell Road (County Route 663), on the right when traveling south.
Nearby stood Rucker’s Chapel, one of the first Anglican (present-day Episcopal) churches in Amherst County. Also known as Harris Creek Church and later as St. Matthew’s, the church was founded by Col. Ambrose Rucker before 1751. It stood on part of . . . — — Map (db m46350) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) just north of Star Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Amherst County Bateau
Anthony Rucker of Amherst County invented the James River bateau, which was patented in 1821. Thomas Jefferson described one of Rucker's boats as 50 feet long by 6 feet wide with a 13.5-inch draft. a bateau could . . . — — Map (db m179522) HM
On South Amherst Highway (U.S. 29) just south of Richmond Highway (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north.
The first depot in Amherst (then known as Dearborn) was built in the late 1800s for the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This depot would be replaced in November 1913 by the Southern Railway when it took over the O&A and expanded its operation in . . . — — Map (db m179495) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 29) west of Star Street, on the right when traveling south.
Heavy rains early in 1854 left the James River and the treacherous Balcony Falls 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 . . . — — Map (db m96744) HM
On Patrick Henry Highway (Virginia Route 151) 0.2 miles south of Fletchers Level Road (Virginia Route 610), on the right when traveling north.
To honor
The Reverend Robert Rose
1704-1751
First Minister of St. Ann’s Parish in
Old Albermarle County 1747-1751
This tablet commemorates the establishment
by him of St. Mark’s Church at Maple Run 1748
To the present site, in . . . — — Map (db m122978) HM
Near South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) just north of Star Street, on the left when traveling north.
An orchardist and champion of heritage apples, Tom traced his roots to seven generations of apple growers in Amherst and Nelson counties. He was born in Amherst County where he was a lifelong resident and partner in Burford Brothers. Tom shared his . . . — — Map (db m179521) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
"Acknowledging heroic acts of men and women who have fallen in freedom's battles through our thoughts, prayers, deeds, and institutions is a necessity to sustain democracy for future generations." — — Map (db m179515) WM
On Gordons Fairground Roads (Virginia Route 777) 0.1 miles south of Richmond Highway (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north.
In Honor of:
SSgt Gregory C. Dayne
USAF August 1969 - December 1975
Vietnam War
In Memory of:
LTC Eric M. Gouldthorpe
US Army July 1974 - January 2018
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Layed to rest at . . . — — Map (db m179498) WM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street on South Main Street.
PFC Roger L. Floyd, US Army 8·11·1941 - 11·12·1965 •
SP4 Raymond M. Thompson US Army 2·12·1944 - 8·25·1966 •
PFC Harvey Johnson III, US Army 3·24·1947 - 11·21·1966 •
SP4 Harry W. Branham, . . . — — Map (db m179512) WM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
In Memory of Those from
Amherst County
Who Paid the Ultimate Price for Our Freedoms in
World War I
Felix Longdale Bandon (1890-1918) Pvt. Machine Gun Co. 38th Inf. •
John Rubin . . . — — Map (db m179518) WM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
To the honor and glory of those who bravely served to keep our country a land of freedom, this monument is to honor all those veterans of Amherst County who served their country in WWII. — — Map (db m179509) WM
On Lexington Turnpike / Midland Trail (U.S. 60) at Blue Ridge Parkway and Panther Falls Road, on the right when traveling east on Lexington Turnpike / Midland Trail.
Amherst County. Area 470 Square Miles. Formed in 1781 from Albemarle, and named for Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, British commander in the French and Indian War. Balcony Falls are in this county.
Rockbridge County. Area . . . — — Map (db m49888) HM
On Lexington Turnpike / Midland Trail (U.S. 60) at Blue Ridge Parkway and Panther Falls Road, on the right when traveling east on Lexington Turnpike / Midland Trail.
In 1938, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the United States Constitution, the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the planting of Constitution Forest in this area. With the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps and . . . — — Map (db m49885) HM
On Patrick Henry Highway (Virginia Route 151) north of Winton Road (County Route 736), on the right when traveling north.
In the grove of trees some hundreds of yards to the west is the grave of Sarah Winston (Henry), mother of Patrick Henry, who died in November, 1784. — — Map (db m123090) HM
On Richmond Highway (U.S. 60) west of Pidemont Road, on the left when traveling east.
Nelson County. Area 473 Square Miles. Formed in 1807 from Amherst, and named for General Thomas Nelson, Governor of Virginia, 1781. Oak Ridge, an old home, is in this county.
Amherst County. Area 470 Square . . . — — Map (db m86235) HM
On US 501 (U.S. 501) 3 miles east of VA 130 (Virginia Route 130), on the right when traveling east.
Amherst County. Area 470 Square Miles. Formed in 1781 from Albemarle, and named for Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, British commander in the French and Indian War. Balcony Falls are in this county.
Rockbridge County. Area . . . — — Map (db m65461) HM
On US 501 (U.S. 501) 3 miles east of VA 130, on the right when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m66946) HM
On South Amherst Highway (Virginia Route 163) at River Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling north on South Amherst Highway.
Amherst County. Area 470 Square Miles. Formed in 1761 from Albemarle, and named for Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, British commander in the French and Indian War. Balcony Falls are in this county.
Campbell County. Area 557 . . . — — Map (db m46431) HM
On Riverview Road (County Route 672) east of U.S. 29, on the left.
Patented in 1742 by John Bolling, Jr., the 2,735-acre Buffalo Lick Plantation tract along the James
River includes three notable historic sites. One
mile southeast stand the ruins of Mount Athos, the
home of William J. Lewis, an officer in . . . — — Map (db m46354) HM
On Colony Road (Virginia Route 210) near Wright Shop Road (County Route 622), on the right when traveling south.
Established in 1910 as the Virginia State
Epileptic Colony, the center admitted its first
patients in May 1911. The facility originally
served persons with epilepsy and began
accepting individuals with mental retardation
in 1913. Due to the new . . . — — Map (db m46394) HM
On Colony Road (Virginia Route 210) near South Amherst Highway (Virginia Route 163), on the left when traveling east. Reported damaged.
During the Civil War, a line of trenches and
fortified artillery positions extending past
here were built late in 1863 to defend Lynchburg against attack from the north. Brig.
Gen. Francis T. Nicholls was responsible for
ensuring that the local . . . — — Map (db m156359) HM
On River Road just south of South Amherst Highway (U.S. 163), on the right when traveling south.
This bridge was erected by Norfolk & Western Railway Co., Chesepeake & Ohio Railway Co., Southern Railway Co., City of Lynchburg, Va. Begun 1916. Completed 1918. Bridge Commissioners Ernest Williams, Chairman; William King, Jr.; John P. Pettyjohn. — — Map (db m46534) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 63.6), 0.3 miles east of Lee Jackson Highway (U.S. 501), on the left when traveling south.
A Lock Canal
When a river was too swift or shallow for navigation, shippers used canals with lift locks. The canals paralleled the river, using it as a water source.
(image)
(not to scale) river surface, canal and lock sites. . . . — — Map (db m137538) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 63.6), 0.3 miles east of Lee Jackson Highway (U.S. 501), on the left when traveling south.
This lift lock, built in 1848, is 15 feet wide, 21 feet deep top to bottom, and 100 feet between gates. It lowered or lifted boats 13 feet allowing them passage to and from the river. The bottom is covered with original pine planking and walls are . . . — — Map (db m137528) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 63.6), 0.3 miles east of Lee Jackson Highway (U.S. 501), on the left when traveling south.
Canal Water was obtained from a dam on the James River six miles upstream. Battery Creek (under the present railroad bridge) did not flow into the canal as is does today. Since it is now the only water source for the restored lock, the water level . . . — — Map (db m137536) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 63.6) near Lee Jackson Highway (U.S. 501), on the left when traveling south.
These handles open or closed sluice gates which admitted water to lock.
When water level was equalled on both sides of gates they were opened by pushing on lever arms.
Gates closed at an angle pointing upstream so water pressure sealed . . . — — Map (db m137539) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 63.6), on the left when traveling north.
The James River flows through the mountains at this location, creating a water gap in the Blue Ridge. This type of formation is characteristic of Appalachian geography. The Blue Ridge forms the eastern wall of the Appalachian Mountain system from . . . — — Map (db m161498) HM
On South Amherst Highway (Business U.S. 29) at Sweet Briar Road, on the right when traveling south on South Amherst Highway.
This liberal arts college for women, opened in 1906, granted its first Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1910. Established under the will of Indiana Fletcher Williams as a memorial to her only daughter, Daisy, the college is located on a 2800-acre . . . — — Map (db m86140) HM
On Chapel Road just west of Sweet Briar Road, on the right when traveling west.
This Italianate villa was the home of College founder Indiana Fletcher Williams from sometime in the 1840s until her death in 1900. When the family acquired the property, it featured a modest modest brick house known as Locust Ridge. The . . . — — Map (db m179528) HM
On Chapel Road just west of Elijah Road, on the right when traveling west.
Historical and architectural evidence suggests this cabin house enslaved and free African Americans both before and after the Civil War. It has been in continuous use since it was constructed around 1840. More than two dozen cabins once stood on . . . — — Map (db m179532) HM
On Chapel Road just west of Elijah Road, on the right when traveling west.
The Boxwood Alumnae House was built on Elijah Road in 1920 as an Inn for guests on campus. Converted into a small dormitory in the nineteen sixties in response to increased enrollment at the College, it was later renovated through the kind . . . — — Map (db m179533) HM