On West Main Street (U.S. 211) west of Nira Street NW.
This location was a former Milk House built in the late 1800’s by Albert Tappe Howard. Farmers brought their dairy products to the Milk House and kept them cold in the spring-fed creek routed through the Milk House. Town and county residents came to . . . — — Map (db m65634) HM
On Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 169), on the right when traveling south.
The Blue Ridge Parkway showcases some of America's best rural and natural landscapes. Rocky Knob is known for its pastoral, or agricultural, countryside. The topography of this plateau differs from much of the Parkway. Here generations of family . . . — — Map (db m140516) HM
On Smartsview Road Southeast (Virginia Route 661) 0.2 miles south of Franklin Pike Southeast (Virginia Route 681), on the right when traveling south.
Curtis Turner, stock car racer, was born here and
honed his driving skills hauling moonshine in these
mountains. After serving in the U.S. Navy during
World War II, he became a pioneering NASCAR
driver. He is credited with 360 career wins . . . — — Map (db m228265) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 211) at Locust Street (Virginia Route 8), on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
This place became the county seat when Floyd County was formed in 1831. First called Jacksonville for Andrew Jackson, its name was changed to that of the county. The courthouse was built on land given by the Phlegar family. The town was incorporated . . . — — Map (db m65633) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 221) at North Locust Street (Virginia Route 8), on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
In Memory of our Fallen Braves, the Confederate Soldiers, from 1861 to 1865.
Stoop Angels, hither from the skies;
there is no holier spot of ground
Than where defeated valor lies,
By mourning beauty crowned.
Floyd County to the Army . . . — — Map (db m151901) WM
On East Main Street (U.S. 221) at North Locust Street (Virginia Route 8), on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
Army
American Revolution, 1775 - 1781
Civil War, 1861 - 1865
Operation Desert Storm, 1990 - 1991
Navy
War of 1812, 1812 - 1814
Spanish-American War, 1898
Air Force
World War I, 1917 - 1918
World War II, 1941 - . . . — — Map (db m152068) WM
On East Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Jacksonville Presbyterian Church was established in this building in 1850 and was the first church built in the Town. The building was constructed by Henry Dillon using plans from an 1830’s book, “Practical House Carpenter,” by Asher . . . — — Map (db m151908) HM
Near East Main Street (U.S. 221) just west of Wilson Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east.
One of Floyd's most impressive residences, this grand Georgian Revival mansion was built for the widow of Judge Waller Howard according to plans adapted and drawn by Lather Hylton. The home is outfitted in grand style with a sweeping center . . . — — Map (db m152042) HM
On Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 162.4), 0.2 miles south of Buffalo Lane Southeast (Virginia Route 714), on the right when traveling south.
The stone facing of the nearby mill dam
was built early in the 19th century by
one Jarman Rakes, miller. His operation
was notable for a scheme of advertising
that would credit a much later day.
Rakes we are told allowed his customers
the sole . . . — — Map (db m228306) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
This building has three sections. The center section houses a gristmill; the wing to your left contains a sawmill, while the section to your right houses a woodworking shop. Ed Mabry built the original mill and both additions about 1910. In the . . . — — Map (db m174585) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
More than a century ago, log cabins were a common sight in Appalachia and in other rural areas of the eastern United States. Samuel and Elizabeth Matthews built this cabin near Galax in 1869. Made largely of oak, it has one room on each of its two . . . — — Map (db m174592) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Simon the tanner used this horse-powered machine to grind oak and hemlock bark for tanning. Mixed with water this ground bark produced “bark liquor” for “tanning hides.” — — Map (db m174587) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Rarely seen today, the blacksmith shop was a vital home industry in Ed Mabry’s time. Here “Uncle Ed” cleverly fashioned wagon tires, andirons, tools, and various other iron objects for himself and his neighbors. — — Map (db m174591) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Although operating a mill was never easy, Ed Mabry faced special challenges. For one, the quantity of running water, which turned the overshot wheel and powered all the equipment in the mill, was barely adequate. To increase his supply, Mabry built . . . — — Map (db m174583) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Take one hollow log “Ash Hopper” filled with ashes. Filter water through ashes to produce lye. Add old fat to lye solution and boil in iron pot. The result: homemade soap. — — Map (db m174590) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Freshly sawed lumber must be dried evenly to prevent warping and checking. Ed Mabry used a rack similar to this for drying lumber. — — Map (db m174586) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
This mill was built about 1910 by Edwin B. Mabry, a jack-of-all-trades who had been a chairmaker, a miner, a coal company blacksmith, and a farmer. He and his wife, Mintoria Lizzie Mabry, operated the mill until 1936, grinding corn and sawing lumber . . . — — Map (db m165417) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
These stones are from a quartz conglomerate obtained at Brushy Mountain Quarry, Blacksburg, VA. They were shaped at the quarry, but the miller “dressed” or sharpened them with homemade “chisels.” — — Map (db m174584) HM
Down this path you will find buildings,
farm implements and other displays that
document rural life in Appalachia over
a period of about 100 years. Most were
restored and arranged here during the
1940s and 1950s.
These displays illustrate . . . — — Map (db m11083) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Making sorghum molasses became popular during the Civil War, when supplies of sugar and corn syrup were interrupted. The practice continues today in many communities, where the sweet smell of boiling sorghum can be enjoyed in the cool October air. A . . . — — Map (db m174589) HM
Near Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south.
Many settlers and early residents brought with them the knowledge and the custom of making whiskey. Although tax laws and, for a while, Prohibition made the activity illegal, moonshiners have always operated in the mountains and other areas of the . . . — — Map (db m174588) HM
On U.S. 221, 0.1 miles east of Borderline Road, on the right when traveling east.
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.
FLOYD COUNTY
Area 376 Square . . . — — Map (db m206711) HM
