Historic Landmarks Archives - Visit Patrick County

The Mayberry Trading Post

Grace Cooper — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:25:26 +0000

Email: misty@mayberrytradingpostva.com

Established in 1892, The Mayberry Trading Post is an old-fashioned general store just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors will find a variety of craft and artisan goods.

Check out their Facebook page for more information and for opening hours.

The post The Mayberry Trading Post appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

New Deal Post Office Mural

David Stanley — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:07:31 +0000

John E. Costigan’s “Receiving the Mail on the Farm” was installed in the Stuart, Virginia Post Office in 1942. This mural is the third of three very similar post office murals completed by Costigan and commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts of the U.S. Department of the Treasury as part of the New Deal public works. The other two were installed in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1939 (with the mural having the same title) and in Girard, Ohio in 1938 which has since been inadvertently destroyed in 1962 and was titled Workers of the Soil. All three post office murals depict a similar scene of a farming family pausing their work to read the mail they had received.

The Stuart and Rensselaer murals portray a father reading to his wife and children what could be an invoice for the bags of seed pictured while draft horses wait patiently for the work to continue. In both paintings the mother is holding a small child. There is an obvious contrast between the Stuart and Rensselaer murals. The Stuart mural is brightly colored and draws your eyes right to the feminine mother. Rensselaer’s mural is quite the opposite. Costigan uses very dark colors and draws your eyes to the masculine father. It is said that Costigan used his family as muses for the figures in his art and often likened the female figures to his wife, Ida.

The subject of many of Costigan’s works have been centered on landscapes and family, two things Stuart and Patrick County have a great abundance of, making this community a fitting location for the mural.

The post New Deal Post Office Mural appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge

william.alexander — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 18:34:14 +0000

Walk through the historic Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge, located in Woolwine. It was built in 1914 to gain access across the Smith River to the neighboring Jacks Creek Primitive Baptist Church, where the bridge derives its name. Now substituted by an adjacent modern-day steel beam bridge, Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge is still open to visitors to walk through and sign the guest book.

The post Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Cockram Mill

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 17:06:08 +0000

Cockram Mill is a historic grist mill complex located near Meadows of Dan. The mill dates to about 1885 and is located adjacent to a concrete dam on the headwaters of the Dan River. The mill was operated by two metal turbine wheels, 14 feet and 16 feet in diameter. Associated with the mill is the contributing miller’s house built about 1921. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.LongFin Grill is currently located in front of the mill. Have a fresh seafood lunch or dinner inside the complex building, or enjoy the back deck for outdoor dining and views.

The post Cockram Mill appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Historic Patrick County Courthouse

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 17:03:21 +0000

Located in Historic Uptown Stuart, the Patrick County Courthouse was designed and built by Abram Staples and completed in 1822. It displays many characteristics of Jefferson-inspired court buildings in the eastern and central portions of the state.

The post Historic Patrick County Courthouse appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Mabry Mill

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:58:26 +0000

Mabry Mill was originally built in 1910, and the historic water-powered grist mill, sawmill and nearby blacksmith shop provide you with a view of pioneer life along the Parkway. Self-guided tours include a sorghum mill, soap making kettle, and an old time whiskey still. Enjoy a great day hiking and visiting the Mill, then enjoy a delicious meal at the Restaurant. Visitors and locals alike come back year after year for Mabry Mill Restaurant’s famous buckwheat cakes, country ham, and Virginia barbeque. Afterwards, stop by the Store and pick up your own cornmeal and buckwheat flower to take home for yourself, or as a gift.

The post Mabry Mill appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

The Rock Churches of Bob Childress

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:54:49 +0000

Made famous by the book The Man Who Moved A Mountain by Richard C. Davids, Patrick County is home to two of the five beautiful Rock Churches in the area. Mayberry Presbyterian Church (1925) and Slate Mountain Presbyterian Church (1932), both in Meadows of Dan, were built by Rev. Robert Childress from the stone of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take a three-hour Backroads Tour of all five churches created by The Mountain Laurel.

Mayberry Pres. Church is located at 1127 Mayberry Church Rd (visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway) and Slate Mountain Pres. Church is located at 239 Rock Church Rd (just off the Parkway).

The post The Rock Churches of Bob Childress appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

The Hollow History Center

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:47:46 +0000

The Hollow History Center is a historic site with four log buildings and a picnic shelter—one building which houses a collection of local history, photos, and genealogy. Also, on site are horse-drawn farm equipment, a section of the “Dinky” railroad, and other antique tools and household objects. Call for an appointment.

The post The Hollow History Center appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Reynolds Homestead

David Stanley — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:12:10 +0000

Located in Critz, VA, Reynolds Homestead is an Outreach Campus Center of Virginia Tech featuring a Community Enrichment Center and a Forestry Research Center. Formerly known as Rock Spring Plantation, it is the birthplace and boyhood home of both tobacco magnate R. J. Reynolds and A.D. Reynolds, whose son Richard S. Reynolds was the founder of Reynolds Metals. Built in 1843, the two-story brick home has been restored to its nineteenth century state and includes many of the original family furnishings. The grounds include the original brick kitchen, a brick milk house, a log icehouse and a log granary. The family cemetery is located near the house and across the field is a cemetery for the plantation’s enslaved community. The house is a registered state and national landmark. At this time, the Reynolds Homestead is closed for tours. On the grounds you will also find the L.E.A.F. Trail, a nature and birding walking trail that loops through the forest. At the trailhead you can see an art installation from the H.A.N.D.S project, completed by a local artist. See their website for a full list of programs and events throughout the year.

The post Reynolds Homestead appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Patrick County Trail H.A.N.D.S.

Grace Cooper — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:43:18 +0000

Born from the AIR Shift Patrick County program, TRAIL H.A.N.D.S, is a project that brings art and trails together to engage visitors in a meaningful and unique experience. In addition to hiking, each person that experiences a TRAIL HAND will also have the opportunity to learn more about our county – the Heritage, Arts, Nature, Dreams and Stories of our community.

There is a permanent art installation of a TRAIL HAND in each locality of the county. Each TRAIL HAND is made of concrete and has been adorned by a local artist.

Stuart: Mayo River Rail Trail

Patrick Springs/Critz: Reynolds Homestead

Ararat: Dan River Park

Meadows of Dan: Mountain Top Park

Woolwine: I.C. Dehart Park

Our region of Appalachia is blessed with beautiful and unique natural resources. TRAIL HANDS was created to promote Patrick County’s natural resources in a way that increases tourism, economic development, and celebrates art while encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Make plans to visit Patrick County and take the adventure to visit all 5 Hands! Be sure to share your experience on social media. #VisitPatrickCounty

The post Patrick County Trail H.A.N.D.S. appeared first on Visit Patrick County.

Laurel Hill & William Letcher Gravesite

Noah Mabe — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:17:17 +0000

Laurel Hill is the birthplace of Civil War Major General J.E.B. Stuart. There are paved walking trails and informational signage throughout the site.

The J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace hosts an annual Civil War Encampment on the first weekend of October.

The birthplace is open daily until dusk.

For more information about J.E.B. Stuart and his birthplace, visit jebstuart.org

Neighboring the property is what is believed to be the oldest grave in Patrick County, belonging to J.E.B. Stuart’s maternal great-grandfather, William Letcher. A Revolutionary Patriot and member of the local militia, his life was taken in 1780 at his home by a Tory sympathizer believed to be William “Bill” Nichols.

The post Laurel Hill & William Letcher Gravesite appeared first on Visit Patrick County.