On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) just south of Bedford Avenue (County Route 43), on the right when traveling south.
In August 1928, T. A. Loving & Son, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, began construction on a new bridge to cross the Staunton River and pass over the Virginian Railway. In an area that had been prone to wash-outs since the 1870s, the new bridge . . . — — Map (db m252033) HM
Near Avoca Lane just west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
Avoca
has been registered as a
Virginia
Historic
Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission
Act of 1966 — — Map (db m299528) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
This smoothbore cannon muzzle was recovered at the site of the Old Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, VA. After exploding during the Civil War, it was taken to the Iron Works and discarded. Many cannons similar to this one overlooked rivers defending . . . — — Map (db m299488) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
Served as a county magistrate, member of the House of Burgesses, and commander of the Bedford County militia and mounted riflemen.
In July 1780, Colonel Lynch helped break up a Tory plot to capture Virginia for the British. The Tory leaders . . . — — Map (db m299522) HM
On Washington Street at Broad Street, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
Served as a county magistrate, member of the House of Burgesses, and commander of the Bedford County militia and mounted riflemen.
In July 1780, Colonel Lynch helped break up a Tory plot to capture Virginia for the British. The Tory leaders . . . — — Map (db m310253) HM
On Washington Street at Broad Street, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
A graduate of Baltimore Medical College, Captain Board raised his own company of Confederate soldiers from this area in 1861. By 1862, he had earned the rank of colonel. Board was killed in action near Winchester in 1864, While acting as Brigadier . . . — — Map (db m310252) HM
Near 3rd Street 0.3 miles west of Broad Street, on the left when traveling west.
U.S. Business 29 follows a historic path connecting the James and Staunton Rivers. The route parallels portions of what was once colonial-era Ward's Road, among the first roads established from Lynchburg leading south to fords along the Staunton . . . — — Map (db m310216) HM
This garden is dedicated to the family of Leroy, Luke, and Jim Dickerson. Leroy was a long time caretaker of Avoca. The bricks comprising the curbing were made on site, circa 1880 and were made from the remains of the "second" Avoca after it burned . . . — — Map (db m299539) HM
Near Washington Street at Broad Street, on the left when traveling east.
You are standing in Founders Square. Altavista was founded in 1905, by brothers John Edward and Henry Lee Lane, who were awarded a contract to connect the Virginian and Southern Railroad systems at the Staunton River. Visualizing the significance . . . — — Map (db m247314) HM
On 7th Street just east of Broad Street, on the left when traveling east.
The Lane Brothers Construction Company planned Altavista on 2,000 acres purchased in 1905 at the crossing of their newly completed section of the Virginian Railway and the existing Southern Railway (now Norfolk Southern Railway). Tradition holds . . . — — Map (db m251939) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
This cemetery was the first burial place of Gen. James Dearing (1840-1865), the last Confederate general officer to die of battle wounds during the Civil War.
Dearing hailed from nearby Otterbourne plantation, about one mile northeast. In . . . — — Map (db m299483) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
General Dearing, who was raised at nearby Otterbourne, resigned from West Point in 1861 to join the Confederacy. He led his troops at the battles of Manassas, Antietam, and Gettysburg. At Plymouth, N.C., he ordered the first artillery charge in the . . . — — Map (db m299523) HM
On Washington Street at Broad Street, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
General Dearing, who was raised at nearby Otterbourne, resigned from West Point in 1861 to join the Confederacy. He led his troops at the battles of Manassas, Antietam, and Gettysburg. At Plymouth, N.C., he ordered the first artillery charge in the . . . — — Map (db m310249) HM
Plants have long been valued for their medicinal properties as well as their cooking uses. During the Colonial period, herbs were used as flavoring in cooking and in medicines and dried to be used to freshen bedding and clothes. This garden . . . — — Map (db m299491) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
Exhibited here is a reproduction "hogshead." A hogshead was a large barrel, usually made from oak and used by plantation owners in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina to store and transport tobacco to distant markets. When standing, hogshead . . . — — Map (db m299525) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
It is believed the John and Sue Jackson Visitor Center was built between 1850 and 1860. It housed the Fauntleroy family after the main house was destroyed by fire in 1879. When the new house was completed in 1880, the west side of this building was . . . — — Map (db m299527) HM
On Avondale Drive at 14th Street, on the right when traveling west on Avondale Drive.
John Henry Mosley (1877-1947)
African American Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Community Leader
A key figure in Altavista's origins and the African American community who was known for his commitment to helping others. Mosley urged others . . . — — Map (db m310212) HM
Near School Street at 15th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Leonard Coleman (1924 -2010)
African American Leader and Distinguished Citizen
In World War II he honorably served on the USS Mason (DE-529), the first ship to have a crew of only African American servicemen. Upon completion of service, he . . . — — Map (db m310179) HM
On School Street at 15th Street, on the right when traveling west on School Street.
This Town park is dedicated by the Altavista Town Council in the memory of Leonard Coleman (1924 - 2010) who was the first elected African American in Altavista's history to serve on Town Council (from 1980 - 1996) and as the Vice-Mayor (from 1992 - . . . — — Map (db m310190) HM
This building predates the Civil War. Milk for the plantation was brought here to be cooled, churned and stored. The thick plaster on the walls helped insulate blocks of ice cut from nearby lakes and rivers in winter and it was packed with straw . . . — — Map (db m299507) HM
In honor & memory of
Our comrades &
Dedicated veterans
Veterans Day
November 11, 1993
Motion by
Roy St. John
Approved by
Post 4165
Membership Designer
Calvin Brown
Builder
Acie W. . . . — — Map (db m311555) WM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Wards Droad (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
During the Revolutionary War, loyalists in the
Virginia backcountry periodically conspired
against the Revolutionary authorities. Colonels
Charles Lynch, James Callaway, and other militia
officers and county justices formed extralegal
courts to . . . — — Map (db m65382) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Avoca Lane, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Reported permanently removed.
A hundred yards west stands a walnut tree under which Colonel Charles Lynch, William Preston, Robert Adams, Jr., James Callaway and others held an informal court for the trial of Tories and criminals, 1780. Punishment usually consisted of whipping. . . . — — Map (db m310330) HM
This circa 1880 cabin is a reproduction of Col. Charles Lynch's mid 18th century frontier cabin, made possible by:
The Beverly W. And Hampton O. Powell Foundation — — Map (db m299535) HM
The original American outdoor toilet was called a "Privy" or the "Necessary'" and later the "Jonny House". They came in all sizes, shapes and construction types. In most cases, they were constructed of wood, although in rare instances a few were . . . — — Map (db m299536) HM
Dedicated to all men and women
wounded in all our wars
Wounded combat veterans
Military Order of the Purple Heart
1782 - 1932
My stone is red for
the blood they shed.
The medal I bear
is my country's way
to show they care. . . . — — Map (db m310227) WM
First railroad ran through this park
completed in 1874. Line moved from here
to present location 1908. Lower railroad
bridge over Staunton River was originally
built in 1874 with stone piers. — — Map (db m310226) HM
Before refrigeration, meat was preserved by salting or smoking, the process of hanging meat above a low, smoke fire. The fire cooked the meat while the smoke added flavor and helped dry the meat, keeping it from spoiling. Almost all parts of hogs . . . — — Map (db m299506) HM
Villages and small towns would rarely have a jail. Someone arrested for a serious crime would be held in the stocks or pillory for secure confinement. They would remain there until they could be brought to trial, either to a court in a large town or . . . — — Map (db m299534) HM
These millstones were used in operation of the Lynch Mill located approximately a quarter mile south at what is now the intersection of Main St. and Lynch Mill Rd. While the exact date of the mill's origin is unknown, it was operated by . . . — — Map (db m299532) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
The summer of 1780 found those Virginians seeking independence from the British Crown in a panic. The Revolutionary War was in its fifth year, the American economic situation was bleak, and Lord Cornwallis' British army was driving northward through . . . — — Map (db m299487) HM
Near Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west.
Herbs were used by Colonists for seasoning and for medicinal purposes
Basil - Sweetening air freshener, aided digestion and muscle spasms. Attacted bees.
Chives - Flavoring, clusters were suspended from ceiling and bedposts to prevent . . . — — Map (db m299492) HM
During the Victorian Era, gardening became popular among the middle and upper classes due to the increased amount of leisure time. The garden was intended to be an outdoor parlor; aimed at a graceful combination of lawn,
trees, shrubs, flowers, . . . — — Map (db m299529) HM
On Franklin Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
This building and memorial park dedicated in memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion for the preservation of freedom in World Wars I and II
World War I
Marvin Arthur •William O. Littles •Andrew Lucas •Fauntleroy . . . — — Map (db m310269) WM
This memorial park dedicated in memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion for the preservation of freedom in World Wars I and II
World War I
• Marvin Arthur •William O. Littles •Andrew Lucas •Fauntleroy Short . . . — — Map (db m310540) WM
