Abingdon Caboose

Norfolk & Western caboose No. 555091 restored and on display at Depot Square next to the Norfolk Southern tracks in Abingdon, Virginia. Built in August 1976, this 32P model caboose was in service for 31 years before being retired and donated to the town of Abingdon. It was moved to Depot Square in November 2008 and dedicated in June 2010. The former Mayer of Abingdon, Lois Humphreys (1998-2008) was instrumental in getting Norfolk Southern to donate the caboose to the town. The Humphreys family, having 200 years of combined service in the railroads, funded much of the restoration cost of NW 555091. It is situated in a beautifully appointed park between the old and newer "1904" train depots.

Abingdon Courthouse

Dawn's early light casts a soft glow on the Washington County Courthouse in Abingdon, Virginia. Three earlier courthouses stood on this site, the first constructed in 1800. The present courthouse, built in 1868, replaced the previous that was burned during the Civil War during the infamous Stoneman Raid of 1865. This was the only courthouse built during reconstruction in Virginia. The building has four Greek Doric Columns, and an Italianate cornice and tower.

The Tavern

The Tavern, the oldest of Abingdon's historic buildings and one of the oldest west of the Blue Ridge, was built in 1779. It was used from it's beginning as a tavern and overnight inn for stagecoach traveler's. The first post office on the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains was located in the east wing of The Tavern. The original mail slot is still in place and can be seen today from the street. During the past two centuries, The Tavern has served as a tavern, bank, bakery, general store, cabinet shop, barber shop, private residence, post office, antique shop and restaurant. It even served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. It was restored to its former glory in 1984 and reopened as a restaurant in 1994.

Summer at the Martha

Summer at the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, Virginia. The Martha Washington Inn is a historic hotel priginally built in 1832 by General Francis Preston, hero of the War of 1812, for his family of nine children. Over the course of the last 174 years, the building has served as an upscale women's college, a Civil War hospital and barracks, and as a residence for visiting actors of the Barter Theatre. The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Abingdon Depots

The depot in the far background was built in 1870 and now houses the "Arts Depot", an artist cooperative. The "new" depot in the foreground was built in 1912 and until recently was occupied by the Historical Society of Washington County. They have since moved to another location in Abingdon in hopes that Amtrak service will begin from Abingdon in the future. Both depots have been fully restored.

Norfolk & Western No. 433

Norfolk & Western No. 433, class M steam locomotive (4 8 0). This engine ran on the Abingdon branch of the Virginia Creeper line between 1952 and 1957. This line ran 55 and one half miles between Abingdon, Virginia and West Jefferson, North Carolina. No. 433 was retired in 1958 and moved to its present location for display as a reminder of those venerable days of steam power.

Upper Comer Falls

The gentle flowing waters of Upper Comer Creek Falls in the Mt. Rogers Natural Recreation area in southwest Virginia. Comer Creek falls is just a short walk from the Appalachian Trail that crosses just south of Marion, Virginia.

Lone Sentinel

This lone sentinel watches over traffic on the Virginia Creeper trail in Abingdon, Virginia.

LOVE Damascus

The "LOVE" logo reflected in the placid waters of Laurel Creek at the mill race across from the Damascus Old Mill Inn, Damascus, Virginia. The "Virginia is for Lovers" logo is 50 years old in 2019!

Bush Mill

The historic Bush Mill in Nickelsville, Virginia. Originally build in 1831, it burned down in 1895 and was rebuilt.... operating as a commercial grist mill until the 1970s. The mill is still in operating condition and is open every year on Memorial Day and the 1st Saturday in October.

Powell Valley Sunset

The setting sun provides a warm glow to the mountain vista of Powell Valley in Wise County, Virginia.

Bush Mill Day

Bush Mill, built in 1896, operating on Bush Mill Day in Scott County, Virginia. The grist mill was built to grind both wheat and corn and is still in operating condition today.

Cooper Creek Trestle

The Copper Creek trestle near Clinchport, Virginia. The taller of these two trestles stands at 167 feet and was the tallest trestle on the east coast when it was built in 1908 by the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad. CSX railroad now owns the tall trestle and Norfolk Southern the shorter trestle. They were built to create quicker access to the coalfields of southwest Virginia and southeast Kentucky.

Rural Retreat Depot

The fully restored train depot in Rural Retreat, Virginia. A famous O. Winston Link photograph was made next to this depot in the late 50s.

Laurel Hill View

Long range view into the North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains from Laurel Hill Road in Grayson County, Virginia.

Sugar Hill Cabin

The chimney on Sugar Hill, just west of St. Paul, Virginia. In 1772, John English settled here, making him the first settler in present Wise County, Virginia. He built a log cabin on this site. On March 8, 1787, Indians suddenly burst into his home, killing his wife, Molly English, and their two little boys. John English moved to Moore's Fort in Castlewood, Virginia and later sold this home and land to a Frenchman, Francois Pierre de Tubooefuf. Francois later built this chimney on to the existing hand hewn cedar log house, which sat on this site for nearly two centuries until it was burned down by vandals in 1976. The Frenchman, his family and servants cleared this land and named it "St. Marie on the Clinch". Francois was later killed by white thieves, some of which were caught, tried, and convicted in Russell County. His survivors then moved out of the area. Future owners farmed the land and in the 1930's a maple syrup and sugar operation existed here, thus the current name of the place, "Sugar Hill".

Sunburst Forest

The sun peaks through the shade of the deep woods surrounding the Powell River Trail in Appalachia, Virginia on a warm summer day. A perfect place to hike, take in nature, and cool off while reliving railroad history!

Dame's Rocket

Dame's Rocket provides a beautiful spring stage for an old, abandoned "Triple A" type mill house in southwest Virginia.

Mayberry Trading Post

The Mayberry General store in Mayberry, Virginia. Built in 1892, it still operates as a general store just off of milepost 180 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mayberry, Virginia is thought to be the place that was the origin of the town of the same name in the famous American television sitcom, the "Andy Griffith Show". Andy's grandparents lived in Mayberry, Virginia and Andy visited their many times during his childhood.

Friday Night Jamboree

The Floyd Country Store, in Floyd, Virginia is the site of the famous "Friday Night Jamboree". It has become a traditional gathering place on Friday nights for musicians, dancers, and visitors from all over the world. The Friday Night Jamboree is an outstanding and authentic experience shared by old-timers and new visitors alike. Country Living magazine identified the Floyd County Store as one of the two best places in the country to hear bluegrass music (the other place was a club in New York City). The show starts on Friday nights at 6:30 and ends around 10:30 when they close. Admission is just $5.00!

Gabriel's House

Their must be a story about why this large angel is in front of this house. We will never know, since "Gabriel's House" is no longer occupied!