Documents related to the History of Damascus, focusing primarily on economic development in the 20th Century and various industrial enterprises in which George A. Hall (and presumably Louise Fortune Hall) were investors, officers and or stockholders
Letter From Bud Wright, Questions about Kettlefoot, Elliot Roosevelt
Personal communication from L.F. Hall addressed to Bud and Martha Wright in response to letter from correspondents regarding visits by Eleanor Roosevelt to Southwest Virginia and other historical details related to Damascus and White Top.
"Economic Facts of Damascus"
"To assist and promote, in every possible way, the development and expansion of business concerns and opportunities (particularly of and for small business concerns) in the Town of Damascus, and environs by making plant and other facilities available to all such concerns through lease, sale or other means, and thereby to contribute to the economic well-being of the community, the State of Virginia, and the Nation."
"Damascus Comprehensive Land Use Plan"
"A comprehensive plan is a guide to local government for providing a better environment and efficient public services to its citizens, both now and in the future....A good comprehensive plan combined with reasonable land use ordinances can prevent incompatible uses of land, enhance the attractiveness of the town, improve the quality of life for the citizens, reduce flood damage, and improve efficiency in providing public services."
"14th Annual Appalachian Trail Days, Damascus, Virginia"
Begun 14 years ago to celebrate the "through-hiker" and the beauty and the beauty and spirit of the Appalachian Trail, this year's festival theme is "Mama Appalachia: Spirit of the Mountains.
"Damascus Comprehensive Plan"
Three ring binder marked "Damascus Comprehensive Plan"; includes Damascus zoning ordinances, use regulations; folder labelled "Budget 1982-1983" with envelope addressed to Louise Hall, Damascus Planning Commission, with notation "Rezone C-1" and an article on land use "Legal Guidelines," from Virginia Town and Country; five sections of Comprehensive Plan, 1995 ATP cost documant, Town of Damascus 1983-1984 organization document; Damascus Comprehensive Plan (as above in File SB-B3); Mount Rogers Planning District Commission newsletter.
Loose Items: Letters and carbon copies of business related correspondence concerning Calcium Sulfide Corporation (CalMoSul), Southern Dyestuff Corporation (SODYECO), and Damascus Hosiery Mill, in which Mr. George Hall, husband of Louise Fortune Hall, was an officer, investor and/or stockholder
The correpondence ranges from 1943-1947, with the bulk of the letters dating from 1944-46. Most of the correspondence is between Mr. George A. Hall, Vice-President of the Calcium Sulfide Corporation in Damascus, where the plant was located, and John L. Crist, the president, from the corporate office in Charlotte, North Carolina. The bulk of the correspondence is related to orders and manufacturing quotas, payroll, stock value, and the dissolution of the Corporation late in 1946. There is also correspondence between Mr. Crist and Mr. Hall regarding Southern Dyestuff Corporation (SODYECO), where Mr. Crist is also identified as 'President.' In this correspondence, Mr. Hall is still referred to as Vice -President of Calcium Sulfide. It is not clear from this correspondence what the relation is between the two companies, or with Damascus Hosiery Mill, which is also mentioned. There are 122 sheets contained in five folders, one for each of the years (1943-1947).
"Manila Folder marked "Lutheran Church"
"From.....These.....Roots....." A brief history of the Washington County Lutheran Parish prepared for the fifth anniversary of St. John Lutheran Church, April 16, 1967 (From the title page). Includes list of Parish Pastors 1844-1967
Manila folder labeled "Robert Edward Fortune-MD, First MD
Loose sheets including handwritten information on Robert E. Fortune, the first medical doctor in Damascus (and Uncle to L.F. Hall), along with a copy of a sketch attributed to Dorothy Leonard of Dr. Hall in a horse drawn carriage; a letter written Louise Fortune Hall and addressed to Dan H. Marston, Virginia Department of Transportation, Bristol District Administrator, protesting plans to widen State Highway 58 through Damascus dated May 26, 1998; a flyer advertising a "Tour of Damascus," dated November 27, 1994; and a flyer advertising a "Christmas History Tour of Damascus," undated; a typed page titled "How Dalai Lama XIVV Was Discovered," attributed to Seven Years in Tibet, by Heinrich Harrer, E.P. Dutton and Co. 1954.
Manila file folder marked "Bulletins-Dedications"
Newspaper clippings, brochures, pamphlets, Church Bulletins, announcements: People, Inc. Housing program Brochure; invitation to grand opening of Riverside Place Apartments (the Old Rock School), 1990; article (unspecefied source) "Grand Opening for Riverside Place" dated 10-14-1998; dedication ceremony for Town Hall of Damascus, July 30, 1985; dedication service for Damascus Presbyterian Church, April 30, 1950 (10 copies); dedication of U.S. Post Office in Damascus, December 3, 1960; dedication and service for Damascus Methodist Church, May 14, 1961; Grand Opening Riverside Place Auditorium, October 19, 1998; 75th Anniversary Celebration, Damascus United Methodist Church, September 10, 1978 (2 copies); dedication of Damascus Bridge (named in honor of Henry Monk), April 24, 1949; Virginia Creeper Trail dedication, June 13, 1987; program for dedication of Damascus Medical Center, Oct 11, 1964 (includes two typewritten pages with pencilled corrections outlining a "brief history of land on which clinic is situated; dedication Holston HS, September 27, 1964; dedication Damascus Elementary School, August 23, 1981; Hall of Fame Banquet honoring Dr. J. Thomas Luck, October 16, 1999; announcement of start up of Damascus Electronic Village, Access Damascus (undated); Booklet: Damascus United Methodist Church: In Commemoration of its 100th Anniversary: 1900-2000; Annual Officers Installation Banquet program, Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, dated January 6, 1979, "Our Fiftieth Year"; Annual Officers Installation Banquet, Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, Sat. January 6, 1979; Appalachian Trail Days Golden Anniversary Celebration, Damascus, Virginia, May 8-16, 1987 (program).
"Appalachian Trail Town, Damascus, Virginia: A study of sustainability in Southwestern Virginia, 30 November, 2001"
"The goal of this project is to provide a picture of Damascus, both in past and present, through community history and interviews with citizens. From this information we have formulated several recommendations for the town and its people."
This spiral bound booklet contains interviews with some of Damascus Virginia's leading citizens at the time of publication: Toby Boian, Town Manager; Tom Davenport, Citizen and Environmentalist; Tony Fritz, Tourism Chair; Louise Fortune Hall, Town Historian; Creed Jones, Town Council Member; Nancy Lamb, Town Council Member; Elizabeth McKee, former Town Mayor; Charlie Musick, a farmer in the Damascus community; John Roberts, County Supervisor representing the Damascus area; Susan Seymore, Project "YES" Coordinator at Damascus Middle School; Fred Surber, business owner; Michael Walker, Washington County Deputy.
"The Roads to Damascus"
Subtitled "Many Trails Lead to This Small Virginia Town" this article from the "Escapes" section of The Washington Post ("Special to the Washington Post") describing local attractions, including six official trails that criss-cross the area, discusses the history of the area, crediting Louise Fortune Hall as Town Historian, and describes the town's transition from an industrial center to an eco-tourism destination. Features information on local eateries, outfitters, and lodging.
"Damascus, Virginia, The Town of Natural Resources"
Subtitled "This booklet of special interest to the manufacturer, the merchant, the farmer, the laborer," this undated MSS obviously preceeds the development of a market for tourism in Damascus, although the concluding paragraph does state that "famous White Top Mountain is only twelve miles away. The Federal Government has taken up several thousand acres of this land, and is building trails all through it, and re-foresting it." For the most part, the booklet decsribes the Town's assets from the developer's perspective.
Files, maps, articles, pictures, and other items related to the History of Damascus
Envelope marked: "Damascus Quadrangle Map-TVA";"Aronhime-McSpadden Paper"
Envelope containing Topographic Maps, Damascus Quadrangle(2); Index to TVA-USGS Topographic Maps, Tennessee Valley Watershed(2); map from unspecified source showing corporate limits and details of Town of Damascus dated March 26, 1976; article from Abingdon, Virginian titled "Exploring Washington County" dated December 9, 1976; memorandum from Robert V. Curtis, Supervisor Cartographic Section and Land Approval Sections, of the Tennessee Valley Authority regarding designation of Damascus coprorate limits dated August 31, 1977; typewritten document titled "Damascus Settler 1776" researched by Gordon Aronhime and designated as "from files of Louise Fortune Hall". Seven copies, one with handwritten annotation.
History of Damascus for Schools
File folder with gold address labels for "Louise F. Hall" containing: "A Brief History of Damascus, Virginia: An Outline" along with handwritten outline on various sheets of colored paper; The Journal-Virginian newspaper article on Damascus High School, "Damascus, Virginia High School One of the Finest in the State," dated September 28, 1928; photocopied photograph of Laurel Avenue, Damascus circa 1910; photocopied photo of Fortune home on Laurel Avenue; Bristol Herald-Courier article on Rock School; postcards of downtown Damascus, "Street Scene-Damascus, Va"; photocopied article about Iron Bridge across the Laurel, "Legion Proposes New Bridge"; photograph labeled "Huldy at Laureldale" picturing logging train, identifying "Jim Rumly in Cab," and "David Spriggs in front"; logging photo labeled "Laureldale" featuring the Virginia-Carolina depot and Laurel depot; photocopied photo of logging mill; two booklets on Washington County schools labeled "Our Schools."
Damascus Enterprise Company
Folder containing: Washington County News article titled Damascus Grew From Dreams of a Confederate General" dated February 20, 1969 (interesting series of articles on the Civil War are also found in these pages, including a Letter to the Editor from Colleen Davenport, the "sheperdess of the hills" which contains some Civil War reminiscences). [Originals are in Box 15 where oversized materials are kept]; photocopy of an article (source not given) titled "Damascus: Railroad first reached section in 1901: Manufactured products are shipped to all parts of the world. Abundant water power, good summer resort" with handwritten marginalia "The progress of our town" across the top and "About 1922" inserted between the first and second lines; photocopies of an article (source not specified) titled "Damascus and the Damascus Enterprise Company, in Washington Co., VA", with handwritten marginalia "see Ch.III A Hist. of D. for Officers"; photocopy of handwritten Christmas message to Ellen Rambo from Mrs. JD Imboden, dated 12-25-94 (1894); ledger sheet with notes concerning Damascus Enterprise Corporation, incorporation and original shareholders.
John Daniel Imboden: Wives and Children
File folder containing: stapled pages titled "A Profile of General John Daniel Imboden 1823-1895" with handwritten marginalia at the top of page one "Wiley Imboden" (author?); handwritten and typed notes on John Sweigert Imboden, J.D. Imboden's father.
J.D. Imboden
Manila envelope addressed to Mrs. George A. Hall from T.G. Hobbs, Jr., Lynchburg and labeled "J.D. Imboden" containing: stapled, typed MSS titled "Imboden," by T. Gibson Hobbs, Jr. "Read before the Sphex Club of Lynchburg 12-5-85"; letter from T.G. Hobbs to Mrs. George A. Hall dated Aug. 3, 1993 apparently in response to a request for his "Imboden" MSS, and containing other information found in the course of Mr. Hobb's research; newspaper feature article from the Washington County News called "This Week in Local History," by Charles D. McThenia, Sketch No. 60, which includes a brief history of the founding of the Town of Damascus and some of the people, including J.D. Imboden, involved [original in Box 15 where oversized materials are kept]; various photocopied articles, including one from Facts on File Publications, and photographs of J.D. Imboden, circa 1863.
Imboden, John Daniel (Sager)
Manila file folder containing correspondence from R.A.W. Sager to Mrs. George Hall concerning the final days of the military command of J.D. Imboden; correspondence between R.A.W. Sager and Miss Julie Freed of Gettysburg, Pa. also concerned with aspects of the command of Gen. Imboden, in which he relates that his father "drove the General's team during the war, carrying his tent, writing desk, and all his personal effects"; a typewritten article signed "Sager" titled "The Retreat of Gen. Lee's Wagon Train from Gettysburg to Williamsport, Md. written in the same style and similar typeface to the preceding letter and probably meant to accompany the letter to Ms. Freed; more correspondence between Mr. Sager and Ms. Freed on the subject of General Imboden and the Battle of Gettysburg; carbon copy of a MSS written by Julie Freed on the life and career of J.D. Imboden (32 closely typed pages);a photocopy of a card catalog entry for The Imboden Family refering researchers to Virginia Genealogist, vol. 15, July-Sept. 1971, p. 208 with handwritten marginalia "You may wish to check the Alderman Library for the above information"; correspondence between Mr. Sager and Mrs. Hall conecrning the possibility of a Civil War memoir written by J.D. Imboden and an enclosed letter from a librarian at the State Library of Virginia stating that the General did not write about his war experiences; a letter of a more personal nature from Mr. Sager to Mrs. Hall; a letter from Julie Freed to Mrs. Hall which may have accompanied the previously cited correspondence between Mr. Sager and Ms. Freed. It contains further information and references concerning the military career of General Imboden; correspondence from Mrs. Charles J. Hansrote (among those recommended by Ms. Freed and by Mr. Sager) and Mrs. Hall exploring the possibility of a genealogical connection between J.D. Imboden and great-great grandmother Catherine Imboden Sencindiver.
Aronhime
File folder containing letter from Rubinette M. Niemann of the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia addressed to Mrs. Louise Hall containing an index of articles written by Gordon Aronhime for the Bristol Herald-Courier between 1963 and 1981 (1996); a letter from Gordon Aronhime to Mrs. Hall dated 26 January, 1976 in which he details research he had done on the location of Damascus when it was originally settled. There is handwritten marginalia all around the typed portion of the letter which further elaborates the records cited in Mr. Aronhime's letter and a small drawing of a platte belonging to Thos. McSpadden, one of the original settlers. A note on the back states that "McS. proved to the Comm. He was entitled to the 100A by actual settlement made in the year 1776. Grant by Comm. Aug. 29, 1781"; a second letter from Gordon Aronhime to Mrs. Hall dated three days later thanking her for arranging an interview with a Miss Cettie Keys; correspondence and a copy of a note sent by Gordon Aronhime to Mrs. Hall concerning John Broady, 1750-1859, a slave in the employ of General William Campbell (he was with Campbell at the Battle of King's Mountain); a photocopy of a handwritten note penned by Charles Broddy [sic] written in 1832, refering to his father, John (at least in Mr. Aronhime's opinion); a copy of a 1793 document signed by Francis Preston, announcing the emancipation of John Broady (additional copies included).
L.F. Hall Correspondence: requesting or providing information about history of Damascus and early settlers
New file folder containg correspondence between Louise Fortune Hall and several individuals either requesting or providing information about the first settlers in Damascus. One letter written by Ronnette E. Imboden in May 16, 1970 was sent to the Damascus Chamber of Commerce before being forwarded to Mrs. Hall. Ms. Imboden requested information about the marriages of J.D. Imboden and their issue to assist in her genealogical reserch; a long letter and two postcards from Helen Imboden Hunt in Roanoke dated '61; while it is difficult to read, it appears that she was a daughter of J.D. Imboden; correspondence (four letters dating from 1949) from Mrs. Cordie Riggs in Elizabethton about her great-great grandfather John Larimer who owned proprty in the area that became Damascus in the first half of the 19th century. There are two handwritten notes included with this correspondence concerning the Larimer estate; a letter acknowledging the loan of a book (A History of Damascus?) written by a student from Lubbock, Texas on Dec. 8, 1965; letter from Mrs. George A. Hall to Talmage Cooley in Charlottesville, Va. related to research being conducted by Mr. Cooley on the history of Damascus (dated Feb. 1953; very fragile condition); letter from Claudia Stolz asking the names of newspapers that might have been published in Damascus in 1928.
A History of Damascus, 1793-1950
Heavily annotated copy of L.F. Hall's A History of Damascus, 1793-1950, with clippings and notes interspersed throughout. Also original, unmarked edition of A History of Damascus.
Washington County News 1949-1950: Damascus History
Feature which appeared in the Washington County News in 1949-1950 called "News From Damascus" offers humorous, anecdotal news about Damascus residents. By-line "Miss May Greiner". Very fragile condition.
The Missionary Baptist Church of Damascus
Typed sheet attached to photocopies of transferral of deed between R.L. Farris and Laura Farris, his wife, parties of the first part, and Sallie Huffman, Laura Broady, Angie Mitchell, Robert Huffman, and Robert Rosenbaum, Trustees of the Missionary Baptist Church of Damascus, Virginia, of the second part, providing land for the building of the Missionary Church and school. Handwritten marginalia across the top of the sheet "Smokey" "Colored Church" East Damascus.
1st Damascus Town Govt.
Typewritten timeline of Damascus history; copies of minutes of a council meeting in 1904, including a transcript of the oath of office taken by Walter F. Fortune, first mayor of the Town of Damascus (and father of L.F. Hall); BB&T envelope containing "Town Charter," "A Plan to Incorporate and Provide a Charter for the Town of Damascus, Virginia, approved March 12, 1904."
Boone Trail
Information on placement and locations of Daniel Boone Trail Markers; Bristol Herald-Courier article dated February 7, 1978 titled "Boone Trail Search is On" and subtitled "Abingdon Council will Assist"; letter addressed "To City Management (and others) Mountain City, Tenn., Damascus, Castlewood, Big Stone Gap, Va. from Walter H. Hendricks, a member of the Abingdon Commission charged with helping to determine the proper placement of markers; letter to Mr. Charles H. Trivett, Town of Damascus from Wink Hastings, Chief Planning and Federal Programs Division, Southeast Region for the Dept. of the Interior, announcing the imminent distribution of markers and offering a description of the markers; letter to Mrs. George Hall from Randall W. Young of the Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, inviting Mrs. Hall to participate in planning for the event; Boone Trail Highway Marker Inventory Record, Damascus, Va., Registration No. 51, recounts how the Damascus marker which had originally been placed on "Legion Island" (an area subject to frequent flooding) was removed (rescued) by a Scout Troop and returned to the town. L.F. Hall had it placed on the brick facade of the Town Hall building in Damascus.
Boone Trail
Materials related to creation of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail and distribution of trail markers: article from the Washington County News dated August 31, 1988, titled "Boone's Trail to be Marked," describing an appeal by Walter Hendricks, Washington County Historical Society Past-President at a Board of Supervisors meeting, for funds to purchase markers to be placed at appropriate sites around the county (the board approved $600 to purchase twelve markers); letter from the Town of Damascus to the National Park service requesting two markers for $110, signed by Charles H. Trivett (letter acknowledging receipt also included); press release from the National Parks Service announcing the availability of markers; Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia concerning the establishment of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail; a map with key showing sites of interest along the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail created by the National Parks Service.
Battle of King's Mt. SC
Decisive battle of Revolution in the South which weakened Gen. Cornwallis and was one link leading to Cornwallis' 1781 surrender at Yorktown in Va.
Details of the battle from various sources, including one sheet labeled "Notes Taken From the Battle of King's Mountain Participants by William E. Cox, Historian, King's Mountain National Military Park (c. 1972), on Washington County Bicentennial Commission stationary; photocopies of pictures taken at King's Mountain National Military Park; partial list of participants in the battle.
Envelope Addressed to Louise Fortune Hall from Joe and Gloria Widener.
Part history, part travalogue, the cover letter from Gloria Widener says it includes a picture and a few pages from the "Widener Family of Widener Family" book. The pictures are from a vacation trip taken by Joe and Gloria Widener across the country. The historical portion includes a list of descendents of Mary Ann Widener, m. William David Rambo in 1864, source by Nina Wolf. Also enclosed is a letter from Frank to Shirley (no surnames) which includes Frank's recollection of moving to Damascus with his father when it was "just an old sage brush field"; a paragraph (source not attributed) about Masada Methodist Church; an article about Widener's Mill taken from an article titled "Washington County Grist Mills," by Bernard L. Herman, from Publication Series II, No. 12 of The Historical Society of Washington County, Va.
Bird Sanctuary
Two envelopes with correspondence and drafts of ordinances related to the procedure for designating the Town of Damascus a Bird Sanctuary. The first letter is an opinion issued by the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries stating that the Town Council of Damascus has the authority to permit the procedure; copies of code from other juristictions; drafts of the final ordinance sent to Mrs. George A. Hall and Mr. Raymond Kimberling, Ordinance Committee Town of Damascus "declaring the Town of Damascus a bird refuge and providing penalties for violations with reference to birds and squirrels," signed by George B. Kreger, Attorney for the Town of Damascus.
Welcome to Damascus
Folded brochures (15) including large scale map of Damascus on one side and Facts about Damascus and photos on the other.
Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Bulletin
Folded sheets issued quarterly describing activities, both recreational and work related along the section of the AT in the care of the Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club addressed to Mrs. Louise Hall, a founding member. Ten Bulletins from the 80's and early 90's. Latter editions called "The Blaze"; ATC [Appalachian Trail Club]/ ESU [East Stroudsberg Univ.] 27th General Meeting of the Appalachian Trail Club Fact Sheet [June 16-23, 1989].
Head Start
Lease and correspondence between People Inc. (also Progressive Community Club and the Community Action Agency of Washington County and Bristol, Virginia) and Damascus Presbyterian Church for property to house the Head Start program in Damascus. Also includes two cards outlining Rules of Order and agenda items for an unspecified meeting; list of supplies and Purchase Order for rent.
People Incorporated of Southwest Virginia (loose cover sheet with attached plans)
Cover letter from People Incorporated to Damascus Presbyterian Church announcing development of the old rock school in Damascus (formerly the Damascus Elementary School and before that the High School) into housing for low to moderate income families. Plans for several types of apartments are included along with a Fact Sheet bearing the Equal Housing Opportunity Logo.
Church 1905
Labelled "1905"; photocopy of deed for land used for Damascus Presbyterian Church.
Specifications for a Sunday School building.
Envelope addressed to Mr. Kenneth B. Turner; contract between Damascus Presbyterian Church and Mock-Wright Hardware and Furniture to build a new Sunday School Building; requests for sealed bids; brochures and bids on furnaces; specifications for the Sunday School building; payment schedule; hand-drawn architectural rendering.
L Miscellaneous
Photocopied notes from Damascus Town Council meetings: 1932, 1940, and 1951; photocopied article from Washington County News, titled "A loving look back at the good old days," written by Gladys Smith Totten, dated July 21, 1977. Ms. Totten reminisces about the Wingfield Drug Store where her father, Emmett F. Smith, was the druggist. Photograph of Mrs. Mary Greiner and her class of 1920, includes girl identified as Sarah (Sarah Fortune?); photocopy of picture of employees at Beaver Chemical Works; various postcards and reproductions of postcards featuring Damascus; one aerial photograph of Damascus taken by Douglas Patterson; a negative of a photo labeled "Huldy Hall" showing narrow gauge railroad and depot; flyer (placemat?) for photographic excursion on Virginia Creeper train from Bristol Station to West Jefferson, NC.; D.V.R.S. Dispatch, newsletter of the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad, vol. 1, issue 1, issued Feb. 1, 1997; Notice of Sheriff's Sale "to satisfy liens for distress and attachment adjucated by the court aforesaid in favor of Mina B. McQueen and Kames K. Kendrick against Owe Eckhardt and Elizabeth Eckhardt", dated July 16, 1969. List of household goods; "Adventuring Damascus" map of Damascus with key to local businesses and attractions, created by Karen Truett; "The Appalachian Oral History Project," Emory and Henry College, letter describing project addressed "To Members of the Campus AOHP Advisory Council" signed by George J. Stevenson, Campus Director. Mrs. George A. Hall, listed as member of the Advisory Council; booklet labeled "Damascus 1923-1981 with picture of the Rock School, but no contents.
Sinking Spring Cem. Abingdon; Wm. Patton Fortune grave; Second Circle, Row 8
White envelope with above caption containing cemetery plat; Wm. Patton Fortune's grave is marked with a letter 'v' surrounded by a circle.
Pictures: 1912 Picnic Group up Laurel on narrow gauge train.
Two photocopied images, the first labelled "Picnic Group: Most of Damascus Citizens, c. 1905, with no identification of individuals. The second has the following caption: "About 1912, people who came to Thayer Company, Smethport Extract Co., and Damascus Lumber Co., and others went on a picnic up the Laurel via the narrow gauge train. In the picture are...: Donald Baker, Frank Thurston, Jeanette Baker, Alden Baker, Harold Baker, Wilton Mock, Mrs. Joe King, Mrs. Cox, Ellen Mock, Effie Rhea, J.F. Rhea, Karl Mock, Harry King, Alice Burr, A.A. Mock, Mrs. Charles Baker, Mrs. Frank Thurston, Joe King, Mrs. J.F. Rhea, Charles Baker, George Clements, John Rooney, Mrs. B.W. Mock, Mrs. A.A. Mock, B.W. Mock (six copies).
CCC and pictures
Three panel panoramic photograph of Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp McArthur (CCC Co. 357), marked Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Damascus, 1931.
Melungeons
Articles about the Melungeons: "An Update on Melungeon Research," by N. Brent Kennedy; "We're all brothers and sisters, Melungeon researcher asserts," Bristol Herald Courier article dated Sept. 4, 1996 reporting on a talk given by Dr. Kennedy at the Paramount Theater in Bristol.
Articles about Damascus
Articles from various sources, including the Washington Post and the N.Y. Times, about the history of Damascus, its transformation from a logging town to an eco-tourism destination.
Damascus, 1940
Born in Caroleen, North Carolina in 1902, studio photographer Herbert Lee Waters supplemented his income from 1936 to 1942 by traveling across North Carolina and parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina to film the people of small communities. He collaborated with local movie theaters to screen his films, which he called Movies of Local People. As a filmmaker, Waters produced 252 films across 118 communities.
History of Damascus with particular focus on the 20th Century. Includes details about the estate of R.E. Fortune, the first doctor in Damascus, and the opening of a medical clinic in Damascus in 1964. Also information about the Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, formed in 1960, and the hiking phenomena Mrs. Emma Gatewood, who hiked the trail end to end three times, including once in her 75th year. Also includes correspondence related to the publication of the two editions of A History of Damascus
A History of Abingdon Branch Line
Multi-page article (copy) "A History of the Abingdon Branch Line," by Mike Hicks (extra sheet of "stations"); additional copies in brown folder which also contains handwritten notes related to trains and railroading by Mrs. Hall (back of an envelope) and two pictures, one of the Steam Locomotive that once pulled the Virginia Creeper, now at the trailhead of the Creeper Trail, and the other of a Laurel Railway coach stopped on the track with passengers milling about; marginalia next to author's name: "Station agent at West Jefferson."
Washington County News: Christmas edition
Copy of WCN dated 12/1957; "formerly the Damascus Blade"; "News of Damascus People"; byline: Miss May Greiner.
A History Update Notes
Newspaper article "Pittsburgh firm buys Damascus dye plant (Cynamid)" dated Feb. 26, 1981; newspaper article from The Mount Rogers Planning District dated Fall 1978, announcing plans for a recreational park in Damascus; letter to Mrs. Louise Hall inviting her to the grand opening of Montgomery Mining Machinery Manufacturing Company in Damascus, date Nov. 3, 1978.
David L. Millsaps
Articles and some personal correspondence: A! Magazine article, "Legacy of Style," written by Betsy White, titled "Mr. Millsaps' Bears," dated November 2002; letter from Sarah H. McBride written to Nancy E. Leasure of the Historical Society of Washington County, written in August 1998, expressing appreciation for information provided by Mrs. George Hall about David Millsaps, with handwritten note at the bottom from Mrs. Hall with additional information; letter written by Mrs. McBride to Louise (Fortune Hall) related to David Millsaps; article from Roanoke newspaper (photocopied) about David Millsaps called "Wood Carver Began Work to Pass Time While Sick; Damascus Man Now Finds Whittling Animals Profitable Business," with photo, dated Dec. 24, 1939.
Loose sheets
Typed sheet(s): one titled "Fiftieth anniversary celebration of the 1929 Damascus High School" (25th Anniversary), listing attendees, including L.F. Hall; two copies of letter addressed to Mrs. Nathaniel Stuart Wright, Jr. on behalf of "We, Mayor, Council members and concerned citizens" expressing regret at the closing of N.S. Wright and Co. [mercantile?]; newspaper clipping from BHC, dated Dec. 29, 2000, "2000 Census"; WCN article dated April 25, 1978 "County Adopts New Seal"; photocopy of newspaper column [source not identified] "Damascus: Strange is Good," by Teni Aten, "Guest Columnist" [Damascus resident]; Typed, copied form from Louise Fortune Hall granting Judy Fairbanks permission to use portions of L.F. Hall's A History of Damascus to 1950 and to display and sell copies of the book in her business; typed sheet dated Nov. 15, 1973 headed "Mount Rogers Citizens Development Corporation: Ballot" with a list of candidates; Bank of Damascus envelope labeled "John Wright deed" containing a microfiche copy of the deed; envelope marked John Wright deed, with photocopy [made from fiche?] of the deed; summons (w. 3 copies) for Louise fortune Hall, George A. Hall, Sarah W. Fortune, Lillian R. Fortune, Marion B. Fortune and John A. Blakemore, G.A.L. for Allie Lin Fortune, and Alice W. Fortune, infants to appear before the Judge of the Circuit Court of washington County dated Sept. 1937.
Bi-Centennial 1976
Folder containing a handbook for use by members of the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bicentennial Commission, dated July, 1967; correspondence from E.B. Stanley, Chairman of the Washington County Bicentennial Commission (including Mrs. George A. Hall, Vice-Chairman) outlining activities, announcing meetings, and supplying minutes of meetings; program for day-long festivities for the Bi-Centennial Celebration for Washington County, Virginia to be held on December 7, 1976.
Emory Widener
Copies(2) of UVA Magazine article dated November, 1908, titled "Mill Folk" by Emory Widener; Copies (2) of a poem and a short story by Emory Widener, published in The University of Virginia Magazine, December, 1908.
Dr. R.E. Fortune Estate
One deed and one deed of partial release, involving land released by deed to Hugh B. Keys and his wife, Belle Keys on Brook Street in Damascus (Lots Nos. 6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12, in Block 6 of Riverside Park), and deeded by the Keys to Roby J. Johnson (Lot No. 5 in Block No. 6 in Riverside Park), dated Dec. 20, 1938 and Oct. 28, 1937 respectively; flyer(s) advertising "Absolute Auction of Furniture of the Estate of Dr. R.E. Fortune, Saturday, Oct. 30 (year not given); letters and mimeographed copy of letter from the Virginia Department of Taxation, In re: Estate of R.E. Fortune advising Mr. G.A. Hall, Trustee of the Estate of R.E. Fortune of assessment of back taxes, followed by Mr. Hall's replies (dates: June 30, July 10, July 26, August 7, and August 17); handwritten note from G.A. Hall Administrator to the General Medical Book Co in New York with an inventory of medical books owned by Dr. Fortune and a request for a bid for purchase; various documents including typewritten statements, real estate holdings, and working papers (lists of assets, cash receipts and dispersals) related to the estate of R.E. Fortune; ledger sheets bound with string dated Dec. 26, 1936, "Estate of R.E. Fortune, G.A. Hall, Administrator"; typed standard rental contract by and between Dr. R.E. Fortune with blanks for prospective rentor(s) for property on Brook Street in Damascus; Command to Summons issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Sherrif of Washington County, Virginia, for Louise Fortune Hall, George A. Hall, Sarah W. Fortune, Lillian R. Fortune, Marion B. Fortune and John A. Blackmore, G.A.L. for Allie Lin Fortune and Alice M. Fortune, infants, by Marion B. Fortune, Guardian of Allie Lin and Alice M. Fortune (signed Sept. 9, 1937); letter from G.A. Hall to Mrs. Kate Stanton, Swannanoa, NC, dated Oct. 13, 1938, advising her of sales price for three lots in the rear of the house in which Mrs. Welsh and Miss Rose live; handwritten response from Mrs. Stanton authorizing the sale; typed sheets on letterhead of Dr. R.E. Fortune outlining Regulations and By-laws of Briar Thicket Gun Club.
Damascus Clinic
Numerous newspaper articles describing the dedication of the first medical center in the Town of Damascus: :Damascus Medical Center Due Soon," BHC, Nov. 11, 1963"; Damascus, At Long Last, Gets Doctor Of Its Own," BHC, Weds. Oct. 7, 1964; "Medical Center Dedication," WCNN, Oct. 8-14, 1964, with special insert (Second Section) devoted to the dedication program. Copy of Dedicatory Exercise, Damascus Medical Center, Oct. 11, 1964; Medical Economic Survey prepared by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation for Damascus, Virginia; planning guide for enlisting support for a medical facility, "This Community Needs a Doctor...Look at the Facts," prepared by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation; conceptual sketch of "Typical two-doctor medical building constructed from plans furnished by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation; subscription lists and lists of potential doners to the proposed medical clinic; newspaper clipping (not dated, and no source cited): "Damascus clinic sold to Dr. Luck (Dr. J. Thomas Luck by the Damascus Industrial Development Corporation); articles from BHC and WCN dated July 2000 "Damascus Clinic Opens Doors Again," and "Damascus Clinic Slated to reopen After Closure."
Letters Hist. 1950
Letters and cards either requesting copies of A History of Damascus, 1793-1950, or expressing appreciation for receipt of the book. Among the correspondents are a number of early residents of Damascus. Some of them offer additional information on the Town's early history.
L.F. Hall: Correspondence: A History of Damascus, 1793-1950: Orders, Acknowlegements, Queries
Letters, cards, and invoices related to both editions of A History of Damascus: 1793-1950, and 1950-1978 (co-authored by Marilou Hall Preston), following on article (not included) from the WCN. Also includes bank statement for a special account at The Bank of Damascus set up for History of Damascus by Mrs. G.A. Hall, Treas.
Master Detective: True Cases From Police Headquarters
Magazine, dated March 1958, features article titled "If I Didn't Stop Them, Someone Would Die" by Orville McNish, Chief of Police (Ret.) Damascus, Virginia.
Iron Mountain Review: Holston River Issue
Editors of this Emory and Henry College periodical, Vol. 1 No. 2, Winter 1984, devoted its second edition the Holston River. Special Supplement: Holston Country Map.
Doctor's register
Ruled, alphabetical, tabbed register (National No. 773) with indexed entries for names and accounts. medical treatments and charges listed. Dates appear to be 1934-35; possibly belonged to R.E. Fortune, the first physician in Damascus.
Check book: Dr. R.E. Fortune estate
R.E. Fortune (deceased 12-26-36) Estate, G.A. Hall, Administrator. Distributions through 12-30-1937.
Files pertaining to the early history of The Town of Damascus, including an early Town Charter, information about the Mock Family, the Imboden Family, and the Fortune Family; real estate transactions involving the Fortunes, Mintons, Robinson and Eubanks Families; and information about the estates of R.F. Fortune and W.H. Fortune.
Eleanor Mock Dunbar Grasselli figures prominantly in research related to the history of Damascus in general, and of the Mock Family in particular.
Eleanor Dunbar Grasselli, Candidate Town Council
Flyer: Eleanor Dunbar Grasselli, candidate for Damascus Town Council, 2000-2004.
Transitions in the Mock Family
Newsletter, dated June 1, 2000 (vol. 4, 1999), created by Eleanor Mock Dunbar Grasselli.
A.A. Mock House
Handwritten, loose note with information about a house which once belonged to the Mock Family; additional information about the Mock Family.
"Trails...Our Ancestors Used Trails."
Typed sheet, contains text of "Talk presented at gathering of descendents of Henry A. Mock, Jr." August 4, 1991, by Eleanor D. Grasselli, subtitled "Trails...Our Family Used Trails." Includes some Mock family history and early Damascus history.
In Memory of Mattie Graybeal Kincheloe.
Johnson Memorial (Funeral) Home service for Mattie Graybeal Kincheloe, d. 1984. Survived by husband, Marvin S. Kincheloe. M.S. Kincheloe is credited in "Trail...Our Ancestors Used Trails" as a source.
To the Descendents of Henry A. Mock, Jr. (1794-1892).
Henry A. Mock, Jr. (1794-1892), 200th Birthday Celebration.
Typewritten sheet, with information about attendees, genealogical information about the Mock Family.
William C. Mock, Damascus, Dies.
Small newspaper clipping in an envelope marked "Milton C. Mock-Keep", undated: "Special to the Herald Courier." List of survivors.
Bristol Tennessee and Virginia: Its Varied Industries, Its Progress and New Developments.
Publication of the Bristol Land and Improvement Company. Contains illustrations. Note: this is very similar to the Damascus promotional booklet described in SB-B12 above.
N.S. Wright & Company, 81st Anniversary.
Newspaper format advertisement for N.S. Wright & Co. 81st Anniversary sale and celebration. "And our way of saying Thank You is to invite you to our 81st Anniversary Sale, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, in Friendly Damascus." Includes historical overview of tyhe company's history titled "From Chickens to Dresses: the Community Store." Small blue card stapled to upper right hand corner labeled "Lutheran Parish," giving some local Church history.
King College Development-1955
Includes typed sheet giving "The use of this Record of Cooperation by the Pastor and the Chairman of each Church in the Synod"; "Sample illustration of how the Final Record of Cooperation could look"; letters from the Development Office at King College to Mr. George A. Hall; letters from George A. Hall to the Development Office at King College.
School Contracts, etc.
Contracts for school years 1964-65, 1969-70, 1971-72, with information about pay scales and other covering material from the Washington County Public School District Office; Request for transcript from College of William and Mary; envelope containing index card with grades for coursework in GS 147 [see File 2008:07:002_13 below]; handwritten note on back of index card in previous entry: "I work 39 out of 180 days for Tax, SS and Ins. I make $19.70 per day incl. retirement."
"A Study of Steve"
Folder containing coursework done by Louise Fortune Hall for General Studies 147, January, 1969.
Fortune Deeds, RR Ownership
Deed betwen J.I. Hurt and R.F. Fortune conveying two parcels of land in Damascus (lots nos. 46 and 48) on Railroad Ave. and First St. dated Jan. 17, 1905. [Listed in DB 65, page 347].
Imboden Folder
Correpondence between Louise Fortune Hall and descendents of General Imboden, the founder of Damascus: letter to Mrs. Hall from Wiley P. Imboden on the subject of his address at a Civil War Roundtable, signed 'Tex' and Dottie. Date 12-23-1992; further correspndence from Tex and Dottie dated Nov. 5, 1992 and Feb. 14, 1993; newspaper clipping (copy) titled "Round Table hear facts about Gettysburg," dated Aug. 31, 1992, covering the address by 'Tex" Imboden, identified as President of the Kansas City Civil War Round Table. From the Batesville Daily Guard, Batesville, Ark; two letters to Mrs. Hall from Doug Imboden, the first acknowledging and sending payment for copies of A History of Damascus, and a second requesting information on George W. Imboden; photocopied pictures of Brigadier General John Imboden from photos dated 1864 and 1865 [sources: U.S Army Military History Institute, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Va.]; newspaper article WCN, Mar. 5, 1970, "Big trees and the railroad created Damascus (condensed from Louise Fortune Hall's "A History of Damascus"); Wiley Imboden Tape, cassette tape recording of Wiley Imboden's address to the Civil War Round Table of Kansas City, Missouri, dated 2/27/90.
March 1987
Brown mailing envelope addressed to Louise Hall from Alma Fortune, dated March, 1987, includes thirteen handwritten pages providing copious information on her side of the Fortune Family (originating in North Carolina. Also included is a letter from Mrs. Hall requesting the information and providing a "rough sketch of my [Fortune] line..." which does not appear to be included in this parcel.
Shenandoah: Washington and Lee University Review
Vol. XIII, No. 3, Spring, 1962 edition of Shenandoah, "The Sherwood Anderson Number."
"To Whom It May Concern..."
Letter from the Washington County, Virginia Board of Supervisors, E. B. Stanley, Acting County Administrator, announcing the appointment of several individuals to fill County Boards and Agencies, including Mrs. Hall, who was appointed to serve on the "Chapter 10 Mental Health Board, for the term of Jan. 1-1977-December 31, 1979."
"A Mountain Adventure"
Two page typed story titled "A Mountain Adventure," by Stanwood T. Hyde, dated 1997.
"My Pictures: 1954"
Photographs of an unidentified group (5 women and one man) on the Church steps of the Damascus Methodist Church, taken in March of 1955 (not 1954) at a Church function.
[Envelope (empty) labeled "picnic group" may have been separated from above.]
Option, etc. PO
Correspondence from the Post Office Dept., Regional Real Estate Office, Richmond, Va. to Mrs. Louise Fortune Hall, et al regarding property owned by the Fortune heirs which was optioned for purchase by the Post Office for the construction of a new postal facility in Damascus (dated Dec. 4, 1959). Property described as: "Beginning at the Northeast corner of Front Street and Reynolds Street and running south on the west side of Reynolds Street 122 feet; thence west 110 feet on an alley, thence north 122 feet on a line with the Fortune residence plot to Front Street; thence east 110 feet on Front Street to the point of the beginning, being approximately 13,420 square feet...." There is a handwritten note addressed to Mr. Schmidt [Real Estate Officer for the Post Office], explaining reasons for not selling the property, but no formal notification in these files.
Deed
Copy of a deed entered between Louise F. Hall and George Hall, Sarah Fortune, Lillian A. Wolfe and her husband, Lin Snodgrass and her husband, and Alice Eubanks and her husband and Howard and Isabella Wright on May 18, 1960 for the sale of the property previously optioned to the Post Office [see 2008:07:002_21 above]. Entered in DB94, p. 335.
Hortenstine: Survey of W.H. Fortune Est, June 1972
Map [plat] of portion of Damascus deeded to heirs of W.H. Fortune, drawn up in 1972.
Untitled Photocopy (fragment)
Copy of a typed sheet containing information about the construction of railroads in Washington County, Virginia in the late 1800's. Appears to be a fragment because it is marked [page] 3.
"When Mingea bought, what did he know?"
Copy of a portion of a ledger sheet with note: "When Mingea bought-what did he know?" with dated entries: Oct. 26, 1981 "Deed to Ab Damas RR property", Jan. 1982: "Ab C & I Railway: WPF & sons DB47, p 444 and 548"; March 1984 "Ab Dev. Corp. & W.P. Fortune & Sons, 1900? purchased Ab. C & I Rway"; "Fortune Deeds: General Index to deeds DB 58 Index to Grantors, pp 523-525".
Yellow Ledger Sheet (Untitled)
Ledger sheet showing property purchased by members of the Fortune Family in 1901, 1902, and 1906, square footage, sellers and amounts involved. Also lists distributions to heirs.
Quit Claim, FLA prop. 10/1/90
Envelope containing letter from law firm in Florida requesting Quit Claim for encumbered property in Lee County, Florida. Also includes instructions for executing Quit Claim.
Misc. Notes
Various sized pages containing hand-written notes including title search details, property values, information about deeds and property holdings.
The Douglas Land Co. To...Deed of Conveyance
Deed of conveyance between the Douglas Land Co. and R. Frank Fortune, dated April 25, 1913, conveying two tracts, one "lying on the waters of Gimlet Creek and Bear Branch (tributaries of the South Fork of the Holston River), lying at the base of and on the North side of Holston Mountain", and the second "lying on the waters of Berry Branch (a tributory of the South Fork of the Holston River), lying at the base of and on the north side of Holston Mountain...."
Mrs. Louise Hall, $250.00, for option (7/10/68)
Agreement (Option) in duplicate between Louise F. Hall, Sarah W. Fortune, Lin F. Snodgrass, Spurgeon O. Snodgrass, Alice F. Eubanks, Rodman K. Eubanks, Lillian F. Wolfe and Samuel C. Wolfe, parties of the first part, and Lis Eckhardt and Owe Eckhardt, parties of the second part for sale of the Fortune homeplace in Damascus. "Said real estate is bounded on the west side by Beaver Creek, on the north by Laurel River, on the east by the Post Office, and on the south by the alley." Dated June 21, 1968.
Savings Department, Mountain Trust Bank
Savings Account booklet form Mountain Trust Bank, Roanoke, Virginia, in account with the Estate of R.E. Fortune (No. 1115).
Bank of Damascus deposit slips and checks
Loose deposit slips and checks drawn on an account at the Bank of Damascus in the name of Mrs. W.H. Fortune. One check written by W.H. Fortune pay to the order of Mrs. W.H. Fortune.
Cemetery Papers
Deed of conveyance between L.H. Wright, Trustee, and Miss Rose Fortune and Mrs. Jennie Walsh for a plot in Mock's Cemetary. Includes receipt from Office of Clerk of the County and a hand drawn map of the parcel. Dated June 26, 1940.
Minton-Fortune Home Papers
Bundle containing four deeds. (1) Recorded in DB 74, p 447, between the Damascus Land Company and S.W. Minton, conveying to the latter a lot in the Town of Damascus (Lot No. 1) on Front St. running back to an alley, along with two other parcels containing 11,041 sq. ft. and dated March 25, 1910. Attested by R.F. Fortune, Secretary of the Damascus Land Co.; (2) Recorded in DB75, p. 421 Between the Damascus Land Company and S.W. Minton conveying to the latter a tract or parcel in Damascus bounded by Front Street, Reynolds Street, Beaverdam Creek, and the alley running between Front Street and Reynolds Street, approximately 39,000 [?] sq. ft. and adjacent to S.W. Minton's home lot. Executed October 28, 1910 and attested by F.F. Fortune, Secretary of the Damascus Land Company; (3) DB 75, p. 423: between John F. Minton and Lizzie his wife, and S.W. Minton conveying to the latter five lots, Nos. 3,5,7,9, and 11 on the south side of Front St. running back to the alley and containing 16,775 sq. ft. and executed on Dec. 5, 1910; (4) DB 94, p. 335: conveying parcels belonging to S.W. Minton and Sarah J. Minton, his wife, and described in the three preceeding entries to W.H. Fortune, executed March 10, 1919.
Rodman K. Eubanks and Alice Eubanks, Chattel Mortgage, W.H. Fortune Estate
Conveys motor vehicle to W.H. Fortune Estate a motor vehicle "to secure and make safe the mortgagee in the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars, and is given in consideration of a cash loan from the mortgagee evidenced by one negotiable promissary note [enclosed?]. Dated March 6, 1948.
Store papers
Bundle of eight deeds, one contract, and one lease agreement: (1) Laurel Milling Co. et al. with Walter H. Fortune. Contract entered into, by and between Walter H. Fortune and H.L. Atkins, et al, trading as Laurel Milling Co., enjoining the latter to build a plank fence and keep the area clear along Front Street facing the Fortune property [DB134, p.168]; (2) Deed of Bargain and Sale between the Damascus Land Company and G. Frank Robinson conveying to the latter two lots (Nos. 31 and 33) "on the waters of the Laurel Fork of the Holston River..., said lots fronting on said Ave. 27 1/2 feet each and running back 129 feet each to an alley [DB67, p.150], executed August 10, 1903 and attested by R.F. Fortune, Secretary the Damascus Land Company; (3) Deed made and entered by and between H.J. Baker, J.B. Dunn, and D.J. Elrod, Trustees of Jacob H. Robinson Lodge and G.Frank Robinson, conveying to the latter 26 feet of property fronting Laurel Ave. containing 2802 sq. ft., and an eight foot strip of land fronting Laurel Street and running back sixty feet , that being a portion of land on which the G.Frank Robinson furniture store was standing in Damascus [DB67, p.151], executed Nov. 1, 1905; (4) Deed between G.Frank Robinson and Bertha, his wife, and W.H. Fortune conveying to the latter lot fronting 26 feet on Laurel Avenue, and being eight feet of said lot no. 33 running back 129 feet to an alley, and the eight feet of lot no. 35, running back sixty feet, containing 2802 sq. ft. [DB76, p.418], executed June 26, 1911; (5) Deed by and between W.H. Fortune and his wife, Marion, and W.A. Minton conveying to the latter the property fronting 26 feet of Laurel Avenue and containing 2802 sq. ft. described in the preceeding transaction [DB77, p.480], executed Feb. 2, 1912; (6) Deed made and entered by and between W.A. Minton and his wife Mabel and W.A. Minton and S.W. Minton dba W.A. Minton, Co., conveying to the latter the same property described in the preceeding two entries on which the Minton Company was situated, for the purpose of conveying the parcel to the firm [DB85, p. 397 and 398], executed April 20, 1916; (7)Deed by and between W.A. Minton and Mabel, his wife, and S.W. Minton and Sarah, his wife, and the Damascus Clothing Company, conveying the same parcel described in the preceeding several entries to the latter [DB88, p.353]; (8)between S.W. Winton and Sarah, his wife, S.W. Minton dba Damascus Clothing Store and Damascus Clothing Company, Incorporated, transferring ownership of the same parcel to the Corporation, [DB89, p1] executed Sept. 12, 1917; (9) Damascus Clothing Company and W.H. Fortune conveying to the latter a lot with 26 feet fronting on Laurel Street, etc. etc. , [DB 94, p.334] executed Dec. 31, 1919; (10) lease agreement by and between Louise Fortune Hall, et al and D.G. Auto Parts granting to the latter the afore-mentioned property for lease. Dated Sept. 1, 1971.
Mrs. Walter Fortune, Damascus, Va. [envelope]
Typed two page Statement: Summary of Administrator's Settlement, unspecified estate, with handwritten marginalia "Herman Blackely settlement with heirs of Sarah Thomas Blackely."
Smethport Extract Company, Inc. Deed to R.F. Fortune
Deed between Smethport Extract Co. and R.F. Fortune conveying to the latter "their two-thirds interest in a certain tract or parcel of land...lying on the waters of Gimlet Creek at the foot of and on the north side of Holston Mountain," [DB86, p.874-5] executed June 13, 1916.
The Illustrated London News (envelope); overside "Marilou History 1950-1978"
"Historic Note" offers corrections and updates on information contained in the first edition of A History of Damascus, by Louise Fortune Hall. The remainder of the packet contains drafts of the second edition (1950-1978), and an unmarked copy of the published edition authored by Marilou Hall Preston.
History of Damascus (As Told to Ellen Mock Dunbar by her Father, A.A. Mock)
Three handwritten pages (front and back) relating an oral history of Damascus as told by A.A. Mock, grandson of Henry A. Mock, to his daughter Ellen Mock Dunbar.
Mrs. W.H. Fortune, Adminastratix of W.H. Fortune "In Account of Said Estate"
Typed accounts of W.H. Fortune Estate, 1935(the year of his death)-1936.
Virginia Department of Treasury, Tax Form 44: Inheritance Taxes
Report of Personal Representative or Report of Beneficiaries. Beneficiaries: Mrs. Marion Fortune, Mrs. Louise Fortune Hall, Miss Sarah Fortune, Miss Lillian Fortune, Lin Fortune, Alice Fortune.
H Miscellaneous
Folder containing Application for Copyright Registration for Non-Dramatic Work, Form TX; other information pertaining to applying for copyright and renewal of copyright; letter to Mrs. Louise Fortune Hall from U.S. Copyright Office.
John L. Crist, PO Box 1045, Charlotte, NC
Letter (loose) written to Mrs. George A. Hall responding to "Letter of Monday" offering to "write up those chapters which you have outlined."
"Miss Fortune"
Handwritten letter commending Miss Fortune for her work in the classroom, signed Miss Einstein, and dated April 1931; clipping from unidentified source, dated 1963, announcing the resignation of Miss Helen B. Einstein as Supervisor of Elementary Schools for the Roanoke City School System.
Washington County Board of Supervisors Resolution
Resolution drafted by the Board of Supervisors exressing its "appreciation and gratitude to Louise Hall for her contributions to the Community and the Highlands Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (with cover letter dated July 8, 1983).
Fortune Account
Loose typed pages headed "Fortune Account" and dated: 08-05-1969, 08-03-1970, 07-01-1971
Box Number 5, 5a and 6 are comprised of year books, scrapbooks, minutes, financial data, and other items associated with the Au Courant Book Club. The Au Courant Book Club was founded in Damascus in 1930 for the purpose of sponsoring the school library and as an incentive for intellectual development. For over forty five years, members of the Au Courant Book Club provided funding for a number of civic, cultural, and patriotic causes.
Financial date for Au Courant Book Club (1 of 3)
Unmarked manila envelope containing: financial reports, check stubs, receipts and acknowledgements, bank statements, cancelled checks, etc.
Financial date for Au Courant Book Club (2 of 3)
Brown accordian file folder containing ledgers and balance sheets for Au Courant accounts.
Financial date for Au Courant Book Club (3 of 3).
Manila folder marked "Mock and Wright Paid Invoices" on one side and "Trees for Damascus Park" on the reverse, containing bank statements, invoices and miscellaneous papers, including an estimate and list of trees to be planted for Damascus Park.
Backer Medal (Au Courant Book Club) (Hall Award), Scholarship, Citizenship
Receipts for medals and ribbons
Constitution and By-laws
Copies and portions of revisions of Au Courant Constitution and By-laws dated 1937, 1952, 1953, 1962, 1971, 1974, 1985, 1988.
Miscellaneous documents
Miscellaneous documents related to the Au Courant Book Club, the last dated May 2, 1990.
Au Courant Year Books
Loose yearbooks representing the entire span of the Clib's existance: 1932-1989 (except 1940, 41, and 42).
Au Courant Book Club, cont.
Au Courant Scrapbooks
2 Photo Albums detailing the history of the Au Courant Book Club (one with loose cover; many of the taped or glued entries loose), with clippings, snapshots, handwritten and typed historical sketches and sample yearbooks. The club was founded in 1931. Mildred Wright was the first president. According to a typed "History of the Au Courant Book Club, 1930-1937, "The club was organized for the purpose of sponsoring the school library and as an incentive for intellectual growth."The scrapbooks and updated histories included bear witness to the range of civic, social, intellectual, and philanthrophic endeavors the Au Courant Book Group was involved in between 1931 and 1990. Club Historians are noted as 'Creator' below.
Au Courant Book Club, final
Scrapbook 1930-1950
Red book marked "Scrap Book" bound with string, many loose pages containing clippings, year books, announcements, programs, yearly historical reviews, pictures and acknowledgements. According to the by-laws each Scrap book was assembled by a specified member of the club (the Press Book Chairman) following precise guidelines (included in front of Scrap book).
Note: Scrap book and Press book appear to be used variously for the same item.
Notebook (black), 1 of 3
Minutes of Au Courant Book Club meetings, 1957-1971.
Notebook (black), 2 of 3
Minutes of Au Courant Book Club meetings, 1946-1957.
Notebook (blue-grey plaid), 3 of 3
Minutes of Au Courant Book Club meetings, 1930-1946.
Annual Reports
Annual Reports of club to the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs (folder bound in string).
Envelopes (2): one addressed to Mrs. Loyd Mongle, Washington County Au Courant Book Club, the second marked Au Courant Book Club Treasurer-LFH.
Bank register, deposit records, account ledgers, cancelled checks, and laminated photocopies of several U.S. Savings Bonds.
Misc. loose correspondence
Correspondence addressed to the Au Courant Book Club or members of the Au Courant Book Club, from First Virginia Bank containing statements and tax information. Also letters acknowledging contributions made by the book club.
Constitutional by-laws
Copies and drafts of Constitutional By-Laws: 1974, 1988.
Au Courant Book Club Year Books
Loose year books, various years.
Various documents Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs and the General Federation of Women's Clubs.
Copies of Constitution and by-laws of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs and General Federation of Women's Clubs (1946, 1950-56); Leadership Manual of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs (rev. 1956); Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs Yearbook, 1964-1965.
Folder: Laff Off
Comedy fund raising event sponsored by the Au Courant Book Club to benefit School Fund, held at Damascus HS on Oct. 17-18 [1949?]. Some loose tickets enclosed.
Folder: Backer Medal
Document explaining guidelines for awarding scholarships to 6th grade boys (Hall Award in honor of George A. Hall) and girls (Backer Award in honor of Clarence A. Backer), through the auspices of the Au Courant Book Club.
Washington County Virginia: history; historical sketches; community information; demographics; maps.
Barter Theatre Tickets
Typed sheet, "The Barter Theatre Buildings", by Lucy Bushore, from research in progress on Barter's buildings; close to forty years worth of correspondence related to Louise Fortune Hall's involvement selling season tickets for Barter productions as a Friend of the Barter Theatre (1947-1984). Some Theatre related memorabilia and correspondence from Robert Porterfield which included information about planning and ticket prices.
Washington County, Virginia
Typed article, Black's Fort Historical District, giving history, boundaries, use regulations, and zoning information; hand drawn map of Black's Fort and environs in July, 1776; American Revolution Bicentennial Community Application for Washington County; newspaper clippings relating the reenactment of the Daniel Boone trek from Wilkes County, N.C. to Kentucky, with proposed stop-overs in Abingdon and Bristol; Washington County Historical Society Bicentennial Committee and Commission Handbook belonging to L.F. Hall; Bicentennial Committee and Commission correspondence, meeting agendas, minutes, chair and committee assignments, sponsors and co-sponsors, budgets and proposed budgets.
The Iron Horse Comes to Damascus
American Heritage Publishing sleeve containing: handwritten notes on legal sized paper headed "The first settlers came to Damascus..."; typed script: Damascus P.T.A. Skit, "Now and Then"; typed MSS (numerous copies and loose sheets) of "The Iron Horse Comes to Damascus," by Marilou H. Preston and Louise Fortune Hall; typed synopsis of L.F. Hall's "A History of Damascus: 1793-1950.
Note: This folder includes a number of historical sketches which are intended for dramatic portrayal or recreational reading and may not be intended as straightfoward historical accounts
Wash Co Dist maps, etc
Plain envelope containing: Washington County, Virginia, 1949, "Report to Taxpayer"; "Community Information for Washington County, 1964"; Washington County promotional maps; various hand drawn maps of Washington County.
Histories of Wash Co Towns and Communities for School Libraries
Envelope containing: cover letter(generic) on Historical Society of Washington County letterhead, dated Nov. 24, 1997, written to "Thank you for contributing to the collection of community histories of Washington County"; typed one and two page histories on the following: Damascus, Glade Spring, Green Cove and Konnarock, Greendale, Greenfield, Taylor's Valley, Abingdon, Blacksburg, Alvarado, Wyndale, Bethel, Saltville, Mendota, Meadowview, Liberty Hall or Lodi, Green Spring, Hayters Gap, Brumley Gap, Big Tumbling Creek, Cedarville, Clinchburg, Friendship, and Emory. Also includes document from the Internet called "God's Valley," about Konnarock.
Note: these sketches appeared in weekely installments in the Washington County News
In Our Little Corner: Communities of Washington County
Community histories as described in entry WaCo-Comm_5 (above), compiled by the Historical Society of Washington County and bound. Letter, on Historical Society letterhead addressed to Mrs. Hall thanking her for her contribution to the community sketches. Dated August 1998, it also includes information about the distribution of "the kits."
Pictures
Photographic images (4) of: Wright & Mock and Co. store with a dozen or more individuals standing in the foreground; old bridge to East Damascus (built c. 1904); "View of Pike leading to Glade Spring, Meadow View, Abingdon and Bristol where it crosses South Fork of Holston River.
Newspapers
Newspapers, either entire, in sections or clippings, related to local history: "Martha Washington Inn Sold," WCN, June 21, 2000; "Liberty Hall School-102 Years of County History," WCN, Feb. 29, 1968 (includes list of Teachers); "Dear Old Golden Rule Days...At the Green Spring Academy," photograph accompanied by "A Quaint Little Fairy Tale Discovered in a Forgotten Mansion and Absolutely Not To Be Believed by Anyone," WCN, Sept. 1, 1966; "Bicentennial of Rock Spring Church," Abingdon Virginian, June 13, 1984; "Mount Rogers 'Unit Plan' Release Set," with map of "Proposed Mount Rogers Scenic Highway Corridor," BHC, Jan. 29, 1978; "Community Histories of Wash. Co," community histories decribed in 'WaCo-Comm_5&6' above with addition of Wyndale, Wallace, Benhams, Kings Mountain, and Taylors Hall, included in "Countdown to the Millenium: A Special Supplement to the Washington County News, Oct. 27, 1999";"Through Whitetop on The Memory Train," by Pearl Dinkins Hensley (with Paige Proffitt), and "History of Whitetop Lodge," by Dennis Graham, The Plow, Nov. 18, 1977; BHC 2004 Progress Edition, "Growing Pains...and gains," "Our Community, Where we live..." (2004), highlighting a number of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee communities, including Abingdon and Damascus, with focus on growth and livability.
Konnarock
Envelope containing: letter addressed to Mrs. Louise Hall from Ed Davis dated Sept 24, 1997, "I am so glad you are enjoying the book about Konnarock..."; copy of Edward H. Davis and William B. Gable's "An Oral History of Konnarock"; copy of Historical Society of Washington County, Va. Bulletin, Series II, No. 30, 1993, with article "Konnarock: Anatomy of a Company Town," by Robert Foster; copy of The Historical Society of Washington County, Va. Publications Series II, no. 4, Spring, 1967, :"The Lumber Industry in Southwest Virginia," by Luther C. Hassinger; typed article by Lisa Walls, "Green Cove and Konnarock, Virginia, c. 1972."
Highlands Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board
Stack of loose and stapled sheets related to LF Hall's service on the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board: letter dated Jan. 6, 1976 to Mrs. George Hall welcoming her as a member of the Board; memorandum from the Board of Supervisors dated August 11, 1978, 'clarifying appointments and terms of office of the Board; bylaws, meeting agendas, minutes, organizational charts, and recommendations of and by the Board; newspaper clipping from WCN Sept. 2, 1976, "Mental Health Board names Anderson."
Virginia Calvalcade-White Top festival
Summer 1961 edition of Virginia Cavalcade with an article about the White Top Festival, "Music on the Mountain: Traditional melodies brought by early settlers were heard at the White Top Festival in the 1930's, a short history of the festival including the memorable visit by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933. Also included folded newspaper article: "Music Festivals: Then and Now, thousands came to White Top to hear old-time Mt. music" from The Plow, May 1976
Iron Mountain Review, 25th Anniversary Issue
The 25th Anniversary Literary Festival: a reunion celebration of Appalachian Literature, vol. XXIII, Spring 2007.
"Life and Death of O. Winston Link"
Newspaper clippings: Portrait of the Past, article from Roanoke Times, Nov. 30, 1995 about O. Winston Link [oversized: see Box 15]; AP wire service article dated Feb. 2, 2001, "Photographer O. Winston Link dies at 86"; WCN article "Photographer Remembered by Regional Art and Train Enthusiasts"; page from Trains and Travel magazine with caption: "N&W's M201 (not pictured) makes up at Bristol, Va. then deadheads to Abingdon, where it entrains passengers for West Jefferson, NC."
Backbone Rock
Newspaper clippings: "Backbone Rock is a Natural for Tourists and Picnickers," BHC July 15, 1962; "Backbone Rock Takes on a New Look for Tourism," BHC March 15, 1964; photograph from Abingdon Virginian, "Happy Trails..."; "Bee Rock vs. Backbone Rock, 'The Shortest Railroad Tunnel in the World,'" BHC August 10, 2000.
Washington County Virginia
Promotional booklets describing local services and amenities.
"Celebrate Green Cove 2007: A Collection of Stories and Memories"
Booklet featuring stories, poems and reminiscences of community members.
Robert Porterfield: a memorial
Booklet giving a brief history of the Barter Theatre and an overview of the life of Robert Porterfield.
Legends, Stories, and Ghostly Tales of Abingdon and Washington County, Virginia
Copy of Donna Warmuth's book.
Wilburn Waters "The Legendary Hermit-Hunter of White Top Mountain"
"A Gathering of Materials from unpublished and out of print sources."
The Life and Adventures of Wilburn Waters, The Famous Hunter and Trapper of White Top Mountain
History of Damascus with emphasis on government, elected officials, charters, commissions, meetings, in particular governmental entities on which L.F. Hall served.
A Municipal Survey of the Town of Damascus, Virginia
Bound survey dated 1949
Population Summary, Town of Damascus Planning Commission
Bound booklet dated March, 1961, and labeled "Number One of Nine Reports"
Damascus, Virginia, Planning Commission: Industrial Opportunities Summary
Bound booklet dated March, 1962 (possible one of the nine reports mentioned in LFH-D1_02above).
Damascus Virginia Planning Commission: Community Facilities Summary
Bound booklet dated November, 1961, and labeled "Number One of Nine Reports"
Damascus, Virginia Planning Commission: Employment and Income Summary
Bound booklet dated January, 1962 (possible one of the nine reports mentioned in LFH-D1_02above)
1970 Census and Projections
Brown envelope containing "Population Estimates and Projections", Series P-25, No. 964, Issued May 1977 by the Census Bureau.
Louise Hall, May, 5, 1982
Blue binder containing Budget for the Town of Damascus, July 1, 1982 thru June 30, 1983; also includes an organization chart showing Louise Hall as Chair of the Finance, Budget, and Administration Committee for the Town of Damascus.
Floods
Note: Damscus occupies a beautiful mountain stream setting on Laurel and Beaverdam Creeks at the foot of Holston and Iron Mountains. The streams and mountains have had a strong economic influence upon the development of Damascus as well as being the source of a significant problem. Damascus' flood history has been recorded since 1901 with major floods occuring in 1901, 1940, 1955, 1956, 1957, three in 1977, and one in 1984. The May 1901 flood is regarded as the highest on record, followed by the 1957 flood and the November 1977 flood.
Newspaper article, WCN, dated March 24, 1954, "Rain Brings Floods", "Estimated Damage Near $50,000 in Damascus Floods," with pictures of flooded streets in Damascus; article WCN, Oct. 6, 1977 "Water Shortage Hits County in Wake of Floods, "Damascus Hardest Hit," with pictures of severe flooding in Damascus and accounts of rescue operations; article WCN, Oct 13, 1977, "Flood Relief Money Asked for Damascus," "Disaster Team in Damascus" [these newspapers have been unfolded, placed in protective mylar, and moved to box 15]; booklet "Damascus Flood Damage Reduction Project," Oct. 1988, Carl I. Rasnie, Project Administrator; newspaper clipping, "Back on Their Feet After Severe Flooding," BHC, Feb. 26, 1978.
"The Damascus Story"
Bound booklet "Economic Facts of Damascus, Virginia" prepared for 1965.
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Stapled document prepared by Edward B. Outland, Community planner dated May 1967.
Corp. Line
Brown "Infopak" envelope addressed to Damascus Pby Ch., overside marked "Corp Line" includes: letter from Jimmy Wallace, Community Development Planner for Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, addressed to Louise Hall, regarding corporate limits of the Town of Damascus in 1935; letters from Mr. Wallace to Tom Gillespie, Mapping Services Branch, TVA, Mr. William C. Young, Clerk of Commission, State Corporation Commission, Conley L. Edwards III, Virginia State Library, Archives Section, trying to determine the Town's corporate limits in aid of the Town of Damascus developement of a Subdivision Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.
TVA Maps 1977 and 1986, Flood Prone Lands
Brown envelope from the Tennessee Valley Authority addressed to Mrs. Louis F. Hall containing topo maps of Damascus and Laurel Bloomery Quadrants.
Town of Damascus Planning Commission, July 17, 1996
Stapled pages including agenda for Planning Commission meeting, with "Bayer Inc. Filling in the Floodplain" as "New Business"; also includes proposed amendment to the Town of Damascus Code for Flood Control.
Damascus Charter
Manila folder containing a portion of an undated charter.
Sr. Citizen History of D. "I remember"
White envelope from Presbterian Church USA to Clerk of Session, Damascus Presby. Church, marked Sr. Citizens History of Damascus, containg a bicentennial tribute to Damascus called "I Remember," containing remembrances, stories, recipes, poetry, drawings and a short history of the Town of Damascus. Also included, newspaper article from The Mountain View Times dated September 4-17, 1990 titled "History of Damascus Senior Center."
Va. Creeper
Large manila envelope marked "Va Creeper" with two oversized, black and white photos of Norfolk and Western trains along the Creeper Trail. One photo shows the approach into Damascus. Marked on back O Winston Link.
Southland Community
Folder marked Southland Community with pages photocopied from a book (possibly Goodrich Wilson's Smyth County History and Traditions), of a chapter devoted to Laurel Farm, by Miriam Sheffey; copy of page (possibly a draft of A History of Damascus), with headings for the Douglas Land Co, Damascus Lumber Company, and Crandull & Shady Valley Railway Co.; hand-drawn railroad maps showing the routes of six different railraod lines connecting far southeast Washington County with Tennessee and North Carolina attached to a typed sheet titled Laurel Railway, 1900-1926; Article which appeared in the Bristol Herald Courier, March 7, 2010, about a writer from Abingdon, Christa Smith Anderson, whose article about Eleanor Roosevelt appeared in the December 2009 edition of the Oxford American. Anderson's article, "A First Lady in a False Kingdom: a curious convergence on White Top Mountain" described Mrs. Roosevelt's visit to the mountains her father loved.
Damascus Bridges
File folder with typed sheet titled "Damascus Bridges" giving an historical overview.
Cooperative Agreement
Stapled document from Washington County Deed Book 649, Page 86, conveyance between The Town of Damascus (Conferer) and the United States of America (Conferee) granting perpetual right to use the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as a pedestrian path across lands "lying and being situated in the Damascus City Limits, designated as Tract 526-03 (formerly property of the Norfolk Western Railroad Company).
Saltworks Road
Six typed pages containing remembrances, anecdotes and stories about life along the Saltworks Road, by Alfred E. McThenia of Glade Spring.
Empty
Contents transferred to Box 13, AT-VCT_01
Mount Rogers Planning Commission
Folder containing: brief biographical entry on William Barton Rogers for whom the National Recreational Area was named; Beartree Campground booklet; Jefferson National Forest "Issues and Concerns," Land and Resource Management Plan; Mount Rogers Citizen, Vol. 1 No. 1, April 1968 (Mount Rogers Citizens Development Corporation): First Annual Report; typed sheet, "Resume of Mount Rogers Project," describes fund-raising efforts on behalf of the project; typed notes in response to (anticipated) Issues and Concerns related to planning for the Jefferson National Forest; agenda for "Marion Workshop," sponsored by Citizens for Mt. Rogers; letter from Governor's Office to Mrs. George Hall urging her to participate in the Marion workshop, with note inserted from Ruth D. Kolling of the Abingdon Office of Economic Opportunity, also urging her to participate.
Damascus Schools
Typed sheets with highlights of Damascus history including dates for school openings and dedications; history Damascus PTA; acknowledgement sent by Grace Doss, Interior Designer, on behalf of engineering firm hired to restore the Rock School for residential use, for historical material sent by Mrs. Hall. Includes an article written about the renovation called "When Home Room Becomes Home"; blue booklet issued for Damascus Elementary School Open House Program , May 24, 1981, called "Damascus, 1923-1981" which includes a history of the Rock School; typed article called "Public Schools, Damascus, Virginia" (various drafts); "Subscription Cards, Damascus School Building", cards in the names of W.H. Fortune, his wife, Louise, Sarah, Lillian, and Lin Fortune.
Rock School, Riverside Place
Letter to Damascus Presbyterian Church from Beth Cessna, Damascus Housing Project Manager for People, Inc. dated Sept. 15, 1989: "Enclosed please find information sheets and floor plan examples for the new apartment complex in the old Rock School..."; copy of the blue program, Damascus 1923-1981, distributed at the Elementary School Open House, with information about the history of the Rock School.
Wright Family Records
Manila envelope containing pages of handwritten and typed notes, the first headed "From Family record now in the possession of Ruth Wright Garrett, Damascus, Virginia"; photograph labeled "Frankie" Wright in Damascus Cemetary near grave of Rosannah Dolinger Wright, 1st grave in D. Cemetery.
Broady, Broddy
Numerous handwritten, typed and photocopied sheets devoted to the Family of John Broady, a freed slave who settled in Saltville. Later some descendents were brought to Damascus by General Imboden. Some genealogical sketches of the Broady family are included, including the fact that Ben Broady was given a home by the Fortunes at the age of eight. Also included is a copy of the will granting John Broady his freedom (from Will Book 2, p 59); a letter from Judge Volnet H. Campbell to Mrs. George Hall which includes additional information and sources of information about the Broady family; a handwritten copy of the will written by John Broady (who lived to be nearly a hundred years old) to his children Isaac and Susannah, recorded in DB 8, P 328.
"History and Current Needs of Mock Cemetery, Damascus, Washington County, VA, an open letter from Eleanor Grasselli, dated Oct. 6, 2005, requesting funds to maintain the cemetery (includes some historical information).
Loos sheet titled "History and Current Needs of Mock Cemetery, Damascus, Washington County, VA, an open letter from Eleanor Grasselli, dated Oct. 6, 2005, requesting funds to maintain the cemetery (includes some historical information).
The Baker Home
Loose sheet includes history and ownership details about the Baker Home in Damascus (originally buiilt 1902-3). Written by Bunny Medeiros, the current owner.
Letter addressed to Delmer R. Gilland, Mayor, Damascus
Letter written to Mr. Gilland by Louise F. Hall which draws attention to inconsistancy in maintanence of of Town Council Meeting minutes.
Damascus: What Does the Future Hold for This Town of 1,200?
Newspaper article [source unattributed] dated 1971, concerning Jan. 18 Referendum "Key to Damascus Destiny."[oversized: see Box 15]
Dr. R.S. LeGarde: an Orange County legend
Newspaper clipping from Orange County Review, Orange County, Virginia, dated March 19, 1992, in memorium of Dr. R.S. LeGarde, a native of Abingdon who took up practice in Orange County. Dr. LeGarde is remembered as the physician who participated in a rescue effort of an expectant mother trapped in a snowstorm in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Rescuers hauled her by sled to a waiting train five miles away, then taken 45 miles to the nearest hospital. Young "Rex" is also shown pictured with the 1925 Damascus basketball team.
Damascus in the Fifties
Typed sheets prepared for presentation at a panel at the Virginia Highlands Festival, Aug. 2, 2005. Author not attributed (although mention of "my mother Louise Hall" means either Eleanor Hutton, Jack Hall, or Marilou Hall Preston), but many personalities and events from the history of Damascus are mentioned.
Centennial Committee, Town of Damascus
Invitations to various functions conducted to commemorate the Centennial Celebration for the Town of Damascus.
Damascus HS
Program from 1924 production staged at the Damascus HS touted as a "Big Spectacular 'Home Talent'Production," and featuring a number of Damascus personalities (including George Hall and Rector LeGarde); flyer from Senior Class production, "His Best Investment" presented April 26, 1929; graduation execrcises, DHS, May 24, 1929; Valley Echo, May 10, 1926, (vol.1, number 1) showing picture of "Our New School"; copies of Valley Echo Senior Edition from 1929 (v.IV, no. 5); Valley Echo, Senior Edition, Feb. 15 1930 (v.5, no.4) and 1931 (v.VI, no.5); copy of sheet music, "Dear Old High" (Senior Song); list of teachers by grade with a picture of the Seventh Grade class taken in May, 1925; DHS teachers 1925-1929; DHS 1929 class reunion list of names of attendees and those absent and deceased.
Will of John Larimer
Manila folder containing typed copy of the Will of John Larimer, Sr. executed November, 1829.
Backer Park, Damascus School Property
Folder containing: envelope marked Trustees Backer Park containing Deed to School Building Property, Play Ground (sic) conferring ownership of a group of parcels ownder by C.A. Baker and his wife Grace to custodians mentioned in the deed for the purpose of creating a playground for students at the adjacent school (DB 115, P. 79), dated Dec. 21, 1925; deed executed July 22, 1921 between Mr. Backer and his wife Grace (parties of the first part) and the School Board of Holston District No. 5 of Washington County, conveying property in the Town of Damascus (DB 101, P. 60); deed awarding the above properties to the County School Board of Washington County, created by Act of Legislation on March 24, 1922, which dissolved the previous entity (DB 115, P. 79); copy of court document dated 12-24-1949, filed by the Town of Damascus, petioning the Court to appoint E.G. Bishop, R.S. LeGarde, and George A. Hall as succesors to the custodians* appointed in the original deed (DB 115, P. 79); document headed Damascus High School announcing organizational meeting of the Backer Park Board (Mr. Hall, Mr. Bishop, and Dr. LeGarde) on April 18, 1950. Mr. Bishop was elected Chairman and J.T. McClellean, Principle of Damascus High School, was elected Executive Secretary. A public meeting was scheduled for April 24 to discuss "with interested individuals, groups, or organizations matters of immediate importance to the community as a whole as concerns this property"; typed sheet titled Backer Park (athletic field) giving a run down of the transactions described in the legal documents listed above (*original custodians were A.A. Mock, S.L. Mock and T.W. Fernald).
Typed sheets listing notes in the amount of $2,000 and $4,000 payable to the Bank of Damascus (dated May 23, 1947 and July 3, 1947) with lists of collateral notes. These may have been used for maintenance or improvements at the park; letters between George A. Hall, Dr. LeGarde and the law firm of Boucher and Boucher seeking to replace the vacant Trusteeship left by E.G. Wilson. Vernon Waters was appointed as trustee (06-15-1966); letter to Mr. Emory Hill, Principal Damascus Elementary School from James Eggars of the Washington County health dept. dated 2-14-1966, alerting him to unsafe and unsanitary conditions in and around the grandstand on the park; letter from George Hall to his Insurance Agent dated Feb. 15, 1966, asking if he is covered against liabilty as Trustee of Backer Park (with responses); letters exchanged between Blake Atwood, Mayor of Damascus and George Hall, Trustee Backer Park, and George Hall and Dr. LeGarde, the remaining Trustees, concerning a motion put forward by members of the Damascus Town Council to have ownership of the park transferred to the Town of Damascus; letter from Rector LeGarde to L.F. Hall dated 06-15-1989 concerning the condition of the park; maps of Riverside Addition plat showing lots.
Note: The lots were located in Riverside Park, which was on record at the Clerk's Office as "Riverside Addition." The list included:
First: Lots 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 inclusive in said Riverside Park, Block No. 4; second: lots
39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57, inclusive in Block 5; third: lots
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 inclusive in Block 5 (see map).
Strangely, some of this land is covered by the bequest entered four years later, after the death of Mr. Backer, which is described above.
The property specified in the earlier deed is: lots 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, in Block 4; lots 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 in Block 5; an alley 15 ft. wide from Water St, to an extension of the Southern side of lot 34, Block 4, crossing said alley to the southern side of lot 38 of Block 5, between Block 4 and Block 5 in the Riverside Addition (see map).
Wilburn Waters
Brown envelope containing extract from "The Life and Adventures of Wilburn Waters," by Charles B. Coale, serialized in the Abingdon Virginian; photocopied pages from the same publication; publication: Wilburn Waters History, 1812-1879, by Rev. M.D. Hart (signed); envelope with contact information for Rev. Hart written on the back; two schoolchildren's essays about Wilburn Waters (from Mrs. Victor K. Schuster).
Community Data for the Town of Damascus, Virginia
Community profile prepared as a service by the Industrial Development Department of the Appalachian Electric Power Company.
Swinging Bridge, 1904-1905
News article WCN, Sept. 16, 1976, "Old Damascus Bridge Poses a Problem" including some background information about the swinging bridge, attributed to Louise Fortune Hall, and obstacles face by the town in its desire to restore the bridge. Handwritten marginalia at the top of the paper states, "Cable cut by Joe Lamb (owner of the property on one side of the bridge) and bridge allowed to fall early 1977." Includes a picture of the badly deteriorated condition of the bridge. Photos taken of the bridge when it was in better condition (with an unidentified young woman standing on it); photograph and pencil sketch of bridge from its terminus (near the Old Mill?); letter from a one-time Damascus resident, Jack Bickle, to Mrs. Hall, dated 09-23-1976, in support of restoring the bridge.
Legion Park
Copy of deed between S.L. Mock and Julia Speer Mock and Trustees for The American Legion Rumley-Thompson Post No. 135 Department of Virginia and Ladies Auxiliary to said Post, conveying title of an island containing roughly two acres situated in the Laurel Fork of the Holston River, lying immediately North of the bridge on Laurel Ave. for future development.
Continuation of LFH-D1, with more emphasis on the History of Damascus. Includes Centennial Celebration folder.
Damascus Centennial
Programs from the Damascus Centennial Celebration held Sept. 1-12, 2004: 100 Year Celebration, Damascus, Virginia 1904-2004: 100 Years of Friendly "Naturally." Includes chronological history and list of every mayor to serve from Walter H. Fortune to Creed Jones; newspaper article from WCN, 09-08-2004, titled "100 Years and Counting," by Carol Fields.
Legion Proposes New Bridge
Damascus Flood Damage Reduction Study
Blueprint drawn up by Dewberry, Nealon, and Davis, Engineers, Architects, Planners, and Surveyors.
Railroads-Local History
Copy of a deed between Trustees for the Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad Company and W.P Fortune, R.F. Fortune, and R.E. Fortune partners in the Abingdon Development Company to transfer all assets and debts from the Abingdon Coal and Iron RR Co. by way of the Abingdon Development Company to a newly developed corporation, the Virginia Western Coal and Iron Railroad Company [DB 51, P.383]. Dated 03-21-1894; envelope labeled "Ghost RRs of Tenn. Shady Valley, AbDamas. Laurel" with photocopied pages from "Ghost Railroads of Tennessee," by Elmer G. Sulzer documenting many of the early railroads running between Virginia and Tennessee. Also contains a stock certificate for one share in the Beaverdam Railroad Company issued to Willie (?) Hand, 11-15-1926; folder marked "Old Papers-notes" with newspaper clippings from the Roanoke Times, "Train Passengers Get Tops in Scenic Rides," describing an excursion aboard a specially equipped "gondola car" along the Virginia Creeper (01-22-1962, a second article (source unidentified, date not given), "N&W's Virginia Creeper Twists Through Final Run," and a third clipping (source unidentified) "North Carolina Turns Down N&W request (to discontinue passenger service between West Jefferson and the Virginia state line), dated 02-28-1962, stapled to a copy of a letter from the Virginia State Corporation Commission to N&W granting their petition to discontinue service between Abingdon and the Virginia-North Carolina state line, dated 01-31-1962; newspaper article "Looking Back at our Railroad," by William H. Hill, appearing in the Mountain View Times, dated May 29-June 12, 1991; newspaper article (source unidentified) "Virginia Creeper Lives in Pictures," by Robert Alexander, featuring famous O.Winston Link photograph "Old Maud bows to the Creeper at Green Cove"; various typed summaries of railroads serving Soutwest Virginia in the early 19th century, listing stock, waystations, connections, with hand-drawn maps and historical notes; article from Trains & Travel, October 1952, "Here Comes the Train," describing the N&W's service between Abingdon and West Jefferson, NC, with pictures (some parts of article have been clipped out).
Backbone Rock
Folder containing photographs (one with "Mary and Uncle Frank in the background"), one from a newspaper showing a wooden bridge and another showing a swinging bridge over the Beaverdam; newspaper article "Backbone Rock Park Drawing Thousands of Visitors-Despite Fees," from BHC, 05-16-1965; article from BHC, "Backbone Rock favored by Area as Picnic Spot," dated 06-21-1957; typed sheet "Backbone Rock" which appears to be a rough draft of a history of Backbone Rock, including information about the railroad, the timber industry, the creation of the tunnel and the nearby recreation area. Reference to BHC articles. Letters from geologists representing TVA and the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Commerce describing the composition of Backbone Rock ; folder within folder containing typed article "Southerland's Empire," by Margaret Rogers Davis, daughter of Richard G. Rogers, giving a personal account of life in the Southerland Community four miles south of Damascus. A logging community grew up with a Church, school, Post Office and commissary and was active from 1900- 1914; article featured in the Conveyor, a weekly newsletter published by Lincoln Industries in Damascus (Aug. 20, 1948), "World's Smallest Tunnel: Backbone Rock Tunnel Built Forty-Eight Years Ago by Lumber Co."
History for Miami Students
Two county maps of Washington County, Virginia, 2003; typed MSS: "Synopsis of Louise Fortune Hall's A History of Damascus, 1793-1950; Marilou H. Preston, Soci. 250, Dr. Napps, Feb. 25, 1978 (several copies, one copy heavily annotated with blue note stapled to the side with information about the Appalachian Trail from the Encyclopedia Britannica); typed outline, A History of Damascus, 1776-2003"; printout from the Internet, "Town of Damascus, PO Box 576, Damascus, VA 24236 [source: http://www.damascus.org/about.html, accessed 4/21/2003]]; a second, abbreviated outline with key dates in the history of Damascus, 1776-2003; "Verbal History of Damascus, Virginia: The Town of Damascus in the Early Years of Development-When the Town Was First Built, 1900-present," by Bron Duncan; typed itinerary for Damascus Community Volunteer Program, March 13-19, 1993, University of Miami, Florida.
Damascus History: Outline, Notes, Synopsis [1]
Folder containing: "A Synopsis of A History of Damascus" (26 copies); notes from talk on Damascus; outline and copies of A History of Damascus, Virginia (labeled "Notes"); map and copies of Damascus street map, dated 1980 (?), attributed to Division of Industrial Development.
Damascus History: Outline, Notes, and a Synopsis [2]
Folder containing: "A Brief History of Damascus" in outline form (two typed pages); "Damascus, Virginia," three typed pages giving historical overview, authorship not credited but parts attributed to Dr. Goodrich Wilson, Historian, and Robert H. Kirby, Division of Industrial Development for the Southwest Area, also citing a study called "Industrial Sites and Economic Data Survey," compiled for Washington County by Division of Industrial Development (1958); "Damascus, Virginia," two typed pages "Prepared for Centennial-not used," compiled by Louise Fortune Hall and Marilou Hall Preston; typed notecards with outline of history (possibly prepared for the same occasion); "Damascus Geography," one copied sheet with information about geography, some local history and notes on reditricting that took place in 1974 (handwritten notes accompany); "Overview of Washington County and Bristol, Virginia (1983); newspaper articles, one from the WCN, Oct. 5, 1983, about a presentation given by Kathy Mullins Seventh Grade class at Damascus Elementary School, "Moments in Time," and the second from the Abingdon Virginian (10-19-1983) describing a series of programs at Damascus Elementary School designed to raise awareness among the students about local history, arts, and crafts;"A Synopsis of Louise Fortune Hall's A History of Damascus," written by Marilou H. Preston, 02-25-1978; "Damascus, Virginia: A Look Back," two typed pages written by Marilou Hall Preston, 2004; feature by Goodrich Wilson called "Southwest Corner" from Roanoke Times, dated 2-26-1950, about Gen. John D. Imboden and Sherwood Anderson.
Floods on Laurel and Beaverdam Creeks
Bound volume published by the Tennessee Valley Authority reporting on flood history in the vacinity of Damascus. Report 30-5755, June 1957.
Floods, cont.
Supplement to Floods on Laurel and Beaverdam, published Oct. 1960.
Roads to the Future: Labor and Work in Eastern Washington County and Western Smyth County, Past, Present, and Future: A Report to the Community.
Spiral bound report compiled by students at Emory and Henry College, under the guidance of Dr. Linda Harris Dobkins, Assistant Professor of Economics.
Letter Addressed to Mrs. Louise Hall from The Appalachian Center for Community Service at Emory and Henry.
Letter addressed to Mrs. Hall from the Volunteer Service Coordinator, Tal Stanley, at Emory inviting her to a Town Hall discussion at Damascus, on the economy of Damascus. The meeting grew out of a series of courses offered at Emory in 2000 in which students learned about the economies of four local comminities: Damascuis, Glade Spring, Meadowview and Saltville. The letter also included a dinner invitation at Emory for a wrap up session presented by participating students.
Election to Damascus Council: '76, '78, '80, '82
Notes, clippings, election tallies and a letter of congratulations from (then) State Senator Rick Boucher.
Milestones on the Road to Damascus
Spiral bound volume with articles contributed by students of Mrs. Joy Rowe's Fifth grade Social Studies class, Damascus MS, June, 1995.
Newspaper articles (various clippings)
Newspaper article from the Abingdon Virginia, dated 10-19-1983, about a series of programs presented at Damascus Elementary School, called "Studying Our Community" featuring local artists and artisans; "Moments in Time," WCN 10-05-1983, report on a presentation by the students of Kathy Mullins' Seventh grade Language Arts class based on the cultural studies mentioned above (and other individual projects); copy of Damascus Blade, dated 10-14-1948, with article "Girl Scouts Plan Stunts, Knit" and accompanying photo featuring Marilou Hall;.
Comprehensive Plan for Damascus, Virginia (etc.)
Inter-office type envelope containing:Comprehensive Plan for Damascus, 06-12-1980, revised, 07-1988; Subdivision Ordinance for Damascus, 08-18-1975; Zoning Ordinance, 06-07-1982; Damascus Planning Commission, 08-18-1977 (Harry Tomlison, Chairman); folder containing: Town of Damascus Land Use Categories, 1960, and information copied from the Damascus Blade, 1-13-49, "Damascus is Zoned for Fire Alarms".
No Charter Change for Damascus
Newspaper reports on citizen-led effort to uphold provisions of the one hundred year old Charter of the Town of Damascus.
Code of the Town of Damascus
Loose pages (2): "Code of the Town of Damascus, 1951" and "City Officials, Contracts with and claims against."
Newspaper clippings (various)
"New Schools Accepted," WCN, 07-16-1981; "Damascus Starts Flood Control Job," WCN, 02-18-1982; "Bank of Damascus to Merge," WCN, 03-18-1982.
Imboden's Dream in Book
News feature written by Joe Tennis (BHC) about a recently release biography of Gen. Imboden and his various enterprises throughout Southwest Virginia.
The Damascus Experiment
Bound volume described as "A project in Elementary Art Education, Sponsored by Title I, P.L. 89-10, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 1965.
Reader's Digest
Copy of March 1968 edition of Reader's Digest which includes an article by Joseph P. Blank, called "Awakening in Appalachia," about Iron Mountain Stoneware in Lauerl Bloomery, Tn.; unsigned letter to the editors of Reader's Digest challenging the accuracy of information contained in the article.
History of Damascus, 1950-1978
Copy of booklet co-authored by Louise Fortune Hall and Marilou Hall Preston.
Railroads-Local History (20)
"A History of the Abingdon Branch Line," by Mike Hicks (copy); typed notes: "Laurel Railway: 1906-1924-26"; summaries of articles appearing in Trains & Travel and Trains, the Magazine of Railroads (cited below); typed sheet: "Virginia Carolina RR," and "Private Connections with VC"; typed sheet (three quarters length): "Douglas Land Co. Damascus, Va.; Laurel River Lbr. Co...", and "Damascus Lumber Co. 1912-20, miles of track"; typed sheet (one half length): "Hassinger Lumber Co."; typed sheet (one quarter): "Fortune Tram Road," "R.F. Fortune Farm"; typed sheet, yellow, handwritten fragment, "Dirst V-C locomotive reached D. from ab. Jan. 25, 1901..."; typed green sheet, fragment: With the estb. of their Damascus plant in 1902...", with handwritten notes; typed letters from Maj. Wolfe Hillman to Mrs. George Hall concerning information provided on the history of the Laurel Railroad; letter to Mrs. George A. Hall from the Editor of Trains Magazine; article from Trains Magazine (July, 1957), "The Mixed Train, Railroad Men (and Lady), with photos by O.Winston Link (p.36-43); article from Trains (June 1984), "The Abingdon Branch Accolade: a line from another time," by Lloyd D. Lewis, with photos by the author (p. 20-28); article from Friends Magazine (May 1955), "Virginia Creeper," with O.Winston Link photos (p. 22-23); article BHC (Nov. 3, 1983), "Photos of N & W Trains Bring Critical Acclaim for Railway Enthusiast," about photographer O.Winston Link, with handwritten marginalia beside photo of link: "Died in NY, Jan. 30, 2001, age 86"; article N.Y. Times (Aug. 26, 1956), "Railroads: Fan Fun; Iron Horse buffs have spectacular excursions coming up next month," details a weekend excursion planned from Washington, DC to Abingdon, followed by a day trip to West Jefferson, NC on the Virginia Creeper, with a return trip planned for Washington on the Sunday ; article BHC (Nov. 24, 1957), "Passing of an Era: 'Va. Creeper' is no more; steam yields to efficient diesel," by Gordon Aronhime; photos of the Virginia Creeper by O.Winston Link featured in the WCN, May 9, 1974.[Oversized: see Box 15]
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hall—Personal
Personal biographies for Mr. and Mrs. Hall, compiled by the Historical Record Association of Hopkinsville, Ky. for inclusion in "Virginia Lives."
Correspondence between L.F. Hall and Mohamed Alaiddin Aloostaz, Damascus, Syria
A series of letters initiated by M. Mohamed Alaiddine Aloostaz, a scientist and Commissionnaire Agent in Damascus, Syria for the purpose of contacting someone from each of the towns in America "nicknamed" [sic] Damascus. Mrs. Hall was the first to respond, in her role as Council member and Town Historian. She agreed to try to contact representatives of the other five localities with that name. There is a reply from a Chamber of Commerce person in Damascus, Arkansas included. Also included is some literature about Damascus, Syria, provided by M. Aloostaz and a treatise written by M. Allostaz entitled "A New Theory About the Planet the Earth and its Satellite, the Moon, by Dr. Mohamed Alaiddine Aloostaz, member of the National Geographic Society.
Awards, recognition for civic involvement for Louise Fortune Hall along with some historical and personal miscellany
Robert Cross Award
Plaque: Robert Cross Award for Career Service, 1982-2000, presented to Louise F. Hall by Emory & Henry History Dept., Oct. 2000
Appreciation: Highlands Mental Health
Plaque: In appreciation for Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the people of our community while serving as a member of the Highlands Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board, presented 11-10-1983.
Distinguished Service
Framed Certificate: In recognition of Distinguished Service to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, awarded 11-03-1983.
Va. High School League: Reading
Framed certificate: In recognition of 'A Regional Championship in Reading', presented to Eleanor Hall by the Virginia High School League, Session of 1951-1952.
Certificate of Appreciation: People, Inc.
Framed certificate: presented to Louise Hall by People, Incorporated, "In Deep Appreciation for helping people help themselves in our community..."; 08-16-1984.
Virginia History in Documents
Virginia History in Documents: copies of primary documents compiled by the State Library of Virginia and distributed to libraries.
State Library of Virginia
The Slave Trade and its Abolition
Portfolio containing material compiled and edited by John Langdon-Davies and published by Jackdaw Publications as Jackdaw No. 12.
Jackdaw Publications Ltd.
Images of Washington County, Virginia
Images of Washington County, 2007, Vol. 7 includes article on Damascus: "All Roads Lead to Damascus: this is the place to gear up for the great outdoors," by Kimberly Daly.
Washington County Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Portrait Louise Fortune Hall
Framed portrait of L.F. Hall
Box from Quality Printers
Small box containing a number of slips of paper, approximately 3/4" wide and 6" long with the legend: "A new Laurel Avenue Church of Christ has risen where the small Doctor's Office stood on Laurel Avenue. The congregation is presently led by Everette Morefield."
Charter Day at Emory and Henry
Emory and Henry designates a day in late March as Charter Day, when the College celebrates the anniversary of the granting of the College's Charter by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1839. As its way of recognizing persons who are making significant contributions to their communities, presents citations at the annual Charter Day ceremony. In 1993, observing its 154th Anniversary, Emory and Henry recognized Louise Fortune Hall, Rev. Mr. W.A. Johnson, Marvin E. Winters, Dr. King E. Davis.
Manila envelope marked Charter Day containing: Letter from Dr. Thomas R. Morris, President of Emory and Henry College, addressed to Mrs. Louise F. Hall advising her of her selection as a recipient of one of the 1993 Charter Day citations; handwritten acknowledgement from Mrs. Hall to Dr. Morris; copy of the Abingdon Virginian dated March 17, 1993, with headline "Charter Day at Emory and Henry College," featuring photographs of the four recipients, including Mrs. Hall; Smyth County News clipping dated March 24, 1993 with article about Charter Day and photos; BHC newspaper article dated March 26, 1993 with article about the Charter Day observance titled "Davis touts cultural diversity"; program from Charter Day observance dated March 25, 1993.
Charter Day Citation
"Initially, along with her husband George A. Hall, and later, on her own, Mildred Louise Fortune Hall has contributed to her community and region as a politician, historian, educator, social activist in health and community welfare, church leader, and founder of the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club. Elected to the Damascus Town Council, she twich has served s vice-mayor, and still serves on the Planning Commission. Her book, History of Damascus, published in 1950 and revised in 1978, remains the standard.
The list of boards and organizations on which she has served is a long one: Highlands Mental Health Services; People, Inc.; Girl Scouts; Parent-Teachers Association; Washington County Library; Washington County Historical Society; Barter Theatre; Appalachian Trail Club; and the Virginia Highlands Festival. Mrs. Hall was one of the first teachers in Damascus Head Start and in Damascus Public School Kindergarten. During the last decade, she has acted as a judge for the Southwest Virginia Regional and the Commonwealth of Virginia National History Day Competitions."
From the letter accompanying Mrs. Hall's service citation, dated March 25, 1993, and signed by Dr. Morris, President of Emory and Henry College.
Blue diploma cover containing Emory and Henry College service citation awarded to Louise F. Hall, March 25, 1993. Also contains three photographs from the event including photos of Mrs. Hall with her son Jack and Emory and Henry President Thomas R. Morris and a photo of Mrs. Hall, Jack, and Eleanor Hutton.
Notable Women West of the Blue Ridge
Notable Women West of the Blue Ridge, 1850 ? 1950
Colonel William Preston Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
LFH Passports
Passports (5) issued to L.F. Hall: 1968, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1994
Files relating to industry, trades and crafts located in and around Damascus; special focus on business concerns of the Fortune and Hall families. Files relating to industry, trades and crafts located in and around Damascus; special focus on business concerns of the Fortune and Hall families.
The Story of Iron Mountain Stoneware
Envelope containing clippings, announcements, advertisements, catalogues, price lists, and receipts. "The Story of Iron Mountain," is really just another promotional piece.
Miscellaneous loose papers and objects
Two account books for Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc.; Check payable to Bank of Damascus drawn on Damascus Hosiery Mills account for $4,000, dated 10-27-1952; check drawn on The Bank of Damascus, payable to Damascus Hosiery Mills for $9,000, dated 10-25-1957; loan of $6,000 issued by Washington County National Bank of Abingdon. Cert #118 for 441 shares of Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc. stock used as collateral (?). Dated 03-15-1959. Marked paid 04-24-1959; Washington County Development Association News Letter, v. 3, No. 4 (May, 1949), features text of talk titled "History of Damascus," by W.C. Mock, delivered at the dedication of the Henry Mock, Jr. Bridge of Damascus, 04-25-1949; draft of minutes, Damascus Citizens Club, Regular Meeting, 10-25-1948.
Loose envelopes; Louise Fortune Hall and George A. Hall
Envelope addressed to Mrs. Louise F. Hall, with annotation: Councilman Contract for Work, containing legal brief from General Council for the League of Municipalities (State of Virginia) in regard to some activities during Mrs. Hall's tenure as Councilwoman for the Town of Damascus; letter addressed to Mr. George Hall, annotated "Boy Scouts", from Armand Hecht, Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee for the Ocanosta District of Boy Scouts, seeking a representative from the Damascus region (Mr. Hall was one of the Institutional representatives for the Boy Scouts in Damascus).
Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc. Miscellaneous papers
Various envelopes: one bearing name of L.H. Mongle and marked "Special Account" with deposit slips from the Bank of Damascus; a second envelope with handwritten legend: Mr. L.H. Monk, Spl Account" containing ledger labeled "L.H. Mongle Special Account," photocopies of checks, account information, and some correspondence related to disposition of accounts; "Damascus Hosiery Mills" containing receipts, check ledgers, account balances, etc. for 1953-1954; legal agreement with stockholders of Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc. to transfer control of shares to designated trustees for a period of five years, dated 11-02-1945. George A. Hall is listed as a Voting Trustee and a shareholder (49 shares).
Wilson Jones Ledger book
Loose ledger sheets labeled "Balance Sheet, June 30, 1954" for Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc.; letter from Trust Company of Georgia requesting interim figures for June 30, addressed to B.P. Murphy, President Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Envelope to Calcium Chloride Corporation marked 1943 returns.
1942 Corporate income tax returns for Calcium Chlorise Corp. (various forms included).
File folder marked Cal-Mo-Sul Trademark
Annual Statement for Calcium Sulfide Corporation dated 06-30-1942; letter from C.L. Parker, Atty. advising Cal-Mo-Sul of possible trademark infringement; certificate of Trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office certifying official registration of Calcium Sulfide Corporation trademark, dated 12-26-1941.
Envelope addressed to George A. Hall, Vice-President, Calcium Sulfide Corp.
Correspondence related to tax matters and disposition of CSC stock, June, 1947.
Folder with handwritten notation: Geo. A. Hall Damascus, Va.
Ledgers, balance sheets (1937-1938) for Calcium Sulfide Corp.; letter informing shareholders of State Corporation Commission approval of reorganization plan; list of prefered stockholders signing up for retirement plan (undated); list of stockholders (06-13-1947); ledger sheets and annual statements for Calcium Sulfide Corp. 1944-45-46-47.
Envelope to Mr. George A. Hall from Law Office of Roby C. Thompson (1 of 2)
Notice of annual meeting of stockholders (Calcium Sulfide Corp.) 08-17-1945.
Envelope to Mr. George A. Hall from Law Office of Roby C. Thompson (2 of 2)
Notice of meeting of stockholders (Calcium Sulfide Corp.) 07-03-1947, announcing a resolution passed by the Board of Directors to dissolve the corporation, accompanied by notice of liquidation dividend of $5 per share to be paid for the surrender of stock certificate.
Folder marked C Miscellaneous
Letters on Calcium Sulfide Corp. letterhead addressed to various individuals and entities announcing CSC being dissolved, dated 04-17-1947. Letters from Roby C. Thompson, Atty. to Mr. George A. Hall, Mgr. of CSC regarding liquidation of stock, dated 06-27-1947 and 08-14-1947; note from Mrs. India J. McCachren to Mr. (John) Crist, president CSC, concerning notarization of papers, dated 08-20-1947.
The Calcium Sulphide Corporation Ledger
Ledger and some cancelled checks (1930's)
Appalachia: A Journal of the Appalachian Regional Commission
Appalachia v.6, no. 2, Oct/Nov. 1972, includes article "Appalachian Stoneware for America's Dinner Tables: The Iron Mountain Story," by Andy Leon Harney.
Beaver Chemical Works
Sheets taken from the Internet "The Beaver Chemical" Works (Early History of Damascus Plant), by Austin T. Hyde, Nov. 30, 1936 (5 pages) Beaver Chemical Works: Early History of Damascus Plant
Files relating to industry in Damascus with special focus on Calcium Sulfide Corp and Damascus Hosiery. George A. Hall was Vice President of CSC and had a controlling interest in Damascus Hosiery. Because John L. Crist (President), George A. Hall (Vice-President and Assistant Secretary), Roby C. Thompson (Secretary), and Calcium Sulfide Corporation appear repeatedly, the abbreviations JLC, GAH, RCT, and CSC will be used at times.
Ledger containing common Stock certificates
Ledger containing common Stock certificates (cancelled) numbered 200-230 for Calcium Sulfide Corp. (CSC), dated Oct. 1, 1930 through March 19, 1938. No. 210 awards 70 shares to Geo. A. Hall; No. 222=15 shares to G.A. Hall; No. 224=228 shares; No. 227=6; No. 228=12; No. 229=25. Total shares awarded G.A. Hall=356.
Ledger containing Capital Stock certificates
Ledger containing Capital Stock certificates (cancelled) for Calcium Sulfide Corp. , numbered 1-51 valued at $10 a share, dated May 7, 1938-Jan. 18, 1941. Includes a "Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Calcium Sulfide Corporation, Damascus Virginia" to be held on Aug. 13, 1946 to discuss possible liquidation of the corporation, date 08-13-1946.
Ledger containing Preferred Stock certificates
Ledger containing Preferred Stock Certificates (cancelled) for CSC, numbered 200-221, dated Oct 1, 1930-March 19, 1938. No. 215 awards George A. Hall 5 shares valued at $100; No. 219=3 shares; No. 220=1 share; and No. 221=6 for a total of 15 shares.
Ledger containing Common Stock certificates
Ledger containing Common Stock Certificates (cancelled) numbered 1-93 for shares in CSC, dated May 3, 1929-July 30, 1934. No. 7 awards GAH 176 Shares valued at $10 a share and No. 53 awards 128 shares for a total of 304 shares.
Ledger containing Preferred Stock certificates
Ledger containing Preferred Stock Certificates (cancelled) numbered 1-51 for shares of CSC, dated May 3, 1929-Feb. 20, 1934. No. 5 awards GAH 5 shares valued at $100.
Correspondence Calcium Sulfide Corp.; dates ranging Sept. 7 1945 through Oct. 30, 1947
Correspondence related to Calcium Sulfide Corp, ranging in date from Sept. 7, 1945 through Oct. 30, 1947, primarily involving John L. Crist (JLC), President CSC, George A. Hall (GAH), Vice-President, and Roby C. Thompson (RCT), Secretary: related to stock transfers: 9/07/1945, 1/28/1946, 1/31/1946, 2/11/1946; business-related letters (including the need for "more business") between JLC and GAH; letters from JLC to the Bank of Damascus asking for clarification on investments; letter of resignation, unsigned, but apparently from GAH as "director, officer, manager, etc. of the Calcium Sulfide Corp" dated 3/19/1946; business correspondence dated March 25 and 26 (1946) between GAH and JLC (copied to RCT); letter from JLC to GAH and RCT concerning diposition of CSC equipment; letter to GAH and RCT from JLC concerning disposition of CSC warehouse and property; letters to B.P. Murphy, President Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc. and W.E. Lamble, Southern Packing Co. Baltimore, Md. both of whom were interested in acquiring CSC property and warehouse (4-21-1947); letter from GAH to JLC (copy RCT) dated 5-19-1947, advising of further offers on CSC property and about prospective sale of government bonds; letter from David F. Mason, trustee for CSC to "Pat" concerning contractual details of the sale of CSC property (5-19-1947); additional letters related to sale (6-05-1947; 6-09-1947); balance sheet typed on CSC letterhead and dated 6-07-1947 showing projected share value at close of sale to be $6.53; letters related to stock transfer and liquidation of assets: 6-08-1947, 6-16-1947, 6-19-1947; letter from C.S. Wilson, President bristol Chamber of Commerce and reply from GAH (10-18-1947, 10-30-1947); undated, unaddressed letter from Colonel D.H. Mallan, U.S. Army requesting that a representative be allowed to appear as a speaker at "one of your meetings" to talk about Universal Military Training.
Deeds and Contracts
Contract dated 12-26-1929 between Calcium Chloride Corp., party of the first part, and Bert Russell, party of the second part, conveying real estate and access rights in connection with the railroad siding on that property; deed dated 4-26-1934 between E.W. Potts, trustee, party of the first part, Calcium Sulfide Corp., party of the second part, and Lena J. Russell, party of the third part, conveying land sold at auction (previously owned by Bert Russell and auctioned to cover debts), to CSC, DB154, p. 382; contract dated 8-12-1930 between Calcium Sulfide Corp. and John H. Harris and W.W. May of Fort Smith, Ark. to undertake the sale of stock on behalf of the corporation for considerations outlined in the agreement.
Envelope addressed to George A. Hall, Secretary and Treasurer of Damascus Hosiery Mills, Inc. from Dunn and Bradstreet
Reports compiled by D and B on behalf of Damascus Hosiery Mills as a "Key Account Service":on Brooks Hosiery Mill (2-13-1962); Cline Hosiery Mills (7-09-1962, 9-14-1962); and Ivey Hosiery Mills (10-27-1961; envelope dated 5-29-1962). Also includes Statement of Account for Damascus Hosiery Mills dated 6-30-1962.
Folder CalMoSul Stockholders
Additional documents and folders related to Calcium Sulfide Corporation's operations in Damascus: list of stockholders and shares (1935, 1937); calculation of depreciation (1948, 1949; proxy statements and stockholder information (1938, 1941); various business-related correspondence (1942); invoice for travel expenses; annual return (final return) of excise tax on employers of eight or more individuals (1947); fallout from George A Hall's letter of resignation (March, 1946).
Corporate Statements, Audits, Working papers
Damascus Hosiery Mills statements, 1967, 1968; Calcium Sulfide Corp. tax returns, year ending 6-30-39, 6-30-1941, 1942, 1946, 6-30-948; CSC annual audit, 6-30-1937; Working papers Calcium Sulphide [sic] Corp. 6-30-1937, 7-01-1937:6-30-1938, 7-01-1938:6-30-1939, 7-01-1939:6-30-1940.
American Cyanamid Co.
Newspaper clipping "Damascus Plant to Have Open House and Barbeque Next Week: celebration marks 8 1/2 year safety record" at the Damascus American Cyanamid facility (undated). Includes pictures of American Cyanamid and Corporate executives.
Documents related to the history of the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail, and other trails transceting the area around Damascus. Additional information on the maintenance of the trails, features on various famous hikers, like "Grandma" Gatewood, and Louise Fortune Hall's record of events and involvement in all of the preceeding.
Loose documents: newspaper clippings, maps, brochures, etc.
Brochure: "Green Cove 1914: A publication of the Friends of Mount Rogers," includes a history of Green Cove Station, floor plan, small map; booklet: "Along the Right of Way: route of the Pocahontas and the Powhatan Arrow," published by Norfolk and Western RR; brochure: "Virginia Creeper Trail: Abingdon to White Top," National Recreational Trail, includes map, published by Dept. of Agriculture, US Forest Service; brochure, including map: Appalachian Trail on the Jefferson National Forest Virginia, published by the Dept. of Agriculture, US Forest Service; Map (in color): Jefferson National Forest, published by Dept. of Agriculture, US Forest Service-Southern region; letter: addressed to Damascus Chamber of Commerce, requesting information about the AT (3-22-1960); envelope: marked "Ebersoles at Mt. Katahdin", includes photograph and post card addressed to "The People of Damascus" and stating "We made it!" (9-30-1963); article BHC (11-23-1968): "Trail Will be Re-Routed Through Area Mountains: Shift from Iron Mountain"; article (undated, source not specified): "State May Use Eminent Domain Law" (to aquire land for AT); brochure: "A Mountain Footpath," published by the Appalachian Trail Conference; letter to Mrs. George Hall from Virginia Cooperative Extension with information about local tree types; article: BHC 3-15-1981: "Coast to Coast Hikers' Path Crosses Bristol Area (proposed "Hiknation" Trail; article Roanoke Times & World News 05-17-1980: "Hikers' Goal a Transcontinental Trail," with a profile of hiker John Mills, "No Stranger to Long Walks"; article BHC 10-05-2000: "Dedication Set for Lofty Visitors Center" (Whitetop Station); article BHC, 6-04-2006: "Boucher Weds During Creeper Trail Bike Trip"; article (undated, source not identified): "A Year on Foot: In Virginia now, hikers have nearly traversed the US; article BHC 10-05-2000: "Festival Scheduled for Damascus: Drums Along the Trail festival highlights American Indian Culture"; article Abingdon Virginian, 05-31-1989: Virginia Creeper Trail Club (news); article (WCN?) 3-01-1995: "Glade Spring News," with announcement of Marilou (Hall) Preston's resignation as Librarian at Glade Springs"; article Raleigh News & Observer, 3-05-1995: "The Appalachian Trail," full page spread; newsletter: Virginia Creeper Trail Club" Spring 2005, vol.8, no. 1: :Damascus Railroads, Early 1900's," John W. Bennett as related to his son, John E. Bennett; Ordinance: "Virginia Creeper Trail Use Ordinance," "jointly enacted ordinance establishing the public policy for use of certain public properties owned jointly by the Town of Abingdon and the Town of Damascus..." (1984); Special supplement to the WCN, 5-03-1995: Appalachian Trail Days, ninth celebration, May 6-14, 1995, "dedicated to Grandma Gatewood..."; Special supplement WCN 05-10-2000, 14th Annual Appalachian Trail Days"; loose sheet "Appalachian Trail Days Celebration, May13-May21, 1989, Damascus, Virginia, with schedule of events; folder: HikaNation, containing: article(source unidentified, date unspecified) "Several Hikers Remain on Cross-Country Trek (describes HikaNation program), HikaNation Virginia Newsletter (Jan 1, Jan. 16, Feb. 1, Feb. 15, Mar, 1, 1981), with special notices to Virginia Hikersand personalized note from Reese Lukei, Virginia Coordinator, to Mrs. Hall; postcard from David Thomas to Louise F. Hall with information about HikaNation; invitation to Washington, DC, May 13, 1981, to participate on last leg of WalkaNation hike; flyers advertising "Drums Along the Trail Benefit Pow Wow," presented by the Algonquin Living History Museum and Damascus Parks and Recreation Dept. One is for the 4th Annual celebration (1998), the other is for the 6th Annual. Damascus Appalachian Trail Days May 8-16, 1987 program (2nd year?); 14th Annual Appalachian Trail Days, Special Supplement to the Washington County News, May 10, 2000; 21st Annual Appalachian Trail Days color brochure, May 12-20, 2007. Flyer for 100 Year Celebration, Damascus, Virginia, Sept. 10,11, and 12, 2004. Information about the Appalachian Trail and the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club: copy of the Appalachian Trail News, v. 33 no. 4, Sept. 1972 with picture of "End to Enders," including Emma Gatewood; instructions to Trail Workers issued by the Appalachian Trail Conference; applications for membership in the Mt. Rogers. AT Club; clipping from Commission of Outdoor Recreation publication "Virginia Outdoors, Oct. 1973, announcing the acquisition by the State of Virginia of 16 miles of Appalachian Trail from private owners (more than 450 miles of the Trail are in Virginia); article from Appalachian Trailway News featuring Damascus, by Robin J. Phillips; Appalachian Trail Days flyer from May, 1988; Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Bulletin from 1962; letter to Murray L. Stevens, Chairman, Commission on Trail Registers informing him that a trail register donated by Mr and Mrs. George A. Hall had been placed in Damascus on behalf of the Mt. Rogers AT Club; article from BHC, May 25, 1973, titled "Appalachian Trail Hiker Sees Aborigines".
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Folder containing NY Times article (5-12-2006): "Good Times at Backpacker's Paradise," about hiking the AT through Damascus.
History of Creeper Trail (Members Mt. Rogers Appal. Trail Club)
Envelope marked (see title above): containing a number of photocopied excerpts titled "The Virginia Creeper Trail and Damascus," source material attributed to Louise Fortune Hall's A History of Damascus and O. Winston Link's Steel and Stars: America's Last Steam Railroad.
Emma Gatewood
Emma "Grandma" Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail, a distance of 2050 miles, at the age of 67. She completed the walk two more times before she died, the last time at the age of 76.
For more about Emma Gatewood see Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail, by Ben Montgomery; Chicago Review Press, 2016
Four envelopes: Envelope addressed to Louise F. Hall from Dick Cieslik, marked "Gatewood" containing: letter from Dick Cieslik to LFH thanking her for information she had provided about Grandma Gatewood on her stopovers in Damascus and providing additional articles about Emma Gatewood (7-20-1990); second envelope from Dick Cieslik to LFH, marked "Emma Gatewood" and dated 9-28-1990, including a long letter (and two shorter letters) from Dick Cieslik to LFH outlining his plan to write a "saga" of Emma Gatewood, with a return letter of encouragement from LFH. Also includes numerous articles, some poems written by Emma Gatewood, and a Scrapbook of "Grandma" Gatewood, Ohio's Hiking Grandma, compiled 1955-1969, by Mrs. Emma Gatewood and Mrs. Mary L. Lewis for Gallia County District Library, Gallipolic, Ohio.; envelope marked "Emma Gatewood, Damascus, 1963" containing a large, color photograph (11x14) of Emma Gatewood standing alongside a directional signpost marking the AT; second envelope marked "Emma Gatewood, Damascus 1963" containing a smaller, framed copy of the photograph of Mrs. Gatewood, "photo courtesy of Mrs. George Hall, Damascus, Va., taken 1963"; loose materials including an article from WCN dated 5-3-1995, "Festival Dedicated to Memory of Grandma Gatewood" (1995 Damascus Appalachian Trail Days); a mimeographed copy of an article "Hiking the Appalachian Trail," edited by James R. Hare, dated 1975 and subtitled: "Grandma Gatewood: A legend along the Appalachian Trail"; article from the Waterbury (Conn.) Republican titled "Hiking Great-Grandmother Finds Her Feet are Bigger" with an accompanying note from the daughter of James R. Hulton who is mentioned in the article.
APPCO Envelopes folder matked "MtR"
Mt. Rogers was named for William Barton Rogers, a geologist and (according to written marginalia at top of page: "first President of Mass. Inst. of Tech. chartered in 1861"
Yellow folder containing: folded informational brochure in three colors, called "Mount Rogers National Recreation Area: America Outdoors" published by the US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region, including the text of PL 89-438, approved 5-31-1966, establishing the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area; booklet, "The Story of Jefferson National Forest, published by US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Eastern region; article from the Roanoke Times, 2-18-1962, "Mt. Rogers, White Top Areas Still Have Natural Beauty," which describes the history of the area; editorial from WCN, 7-27-1967 titled "It's Here Now," alluding to the controversy surrounding the Federal Government's control of 84,000 plus acres in far eastern corner of Washington County, and plans to turn them into a recreational area; clipping dated 2-28-1963, "Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club to elect Officers, mentions that it is the third anniversary of the club's organization; folder Mt. Rogers AT Club, 1st minutes, includes minutes of meeting held on 2-29-1960 for the purpose of organizing the club. Those present are listed: David Thomas, Nerine (?) Thomas, Douglas Patterson, Harry Denton, Claude Greever, Lynn Angle, George Hall, Louise Hall (Secretary). Also includes Mrs. Hall's Mt. Rogers AT Trail Club card (1970) and her lifetime membership card in the Mount Rogers Citizens Development Corporation (1970), along with her Retired Teachers card.
Blue binder marked "MRATC-Blaze"
Binder with copies of Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Bulletins (1964, 1981), and The Blaze (the Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Bulletin renamed), 1997-2006. The Fall 1997 edition contains a brief history of the club written by David Thomas and a list of current members. The newsletters contain information about group activities, including schedules for hikes and trail maintenance activities.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest: A Review
Color publication of the US Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Forestry, Southern Region.
Appalachian Trailway News
Publication of the Appalachian Trail Conference. Two editions: Vol. 35, No. 3, August 1973, and Vol.48, No. 3, July/August 1987 edition, which commemorates the Golden Anniversary of the Trail (50 years), features an article about Damascus Appalachian Trail Days, "Damascus Salutes the Appalachian Trail." Louise Hall is cited for information about the Town's history.
US News & World Report
Jan. 16, 1978 (vol. LXXXIV, no. 2) edition of US News & World Report features an article on the prospect of a National hiking trail: "A 30,000 mile Highway for Hikers?". Also included is a report to the Abingdon Town Council dated March 6, 1978, from Walter Hendricks, representing the Boone Trail Study Commission about efforts to trace the trail of Daniel Boone through Abingdon (saying that "our studies indicate that Boone's Trail seems to closely parallel the recently abandoned railroad bed all the way from Jefferson NC." Hand-drawn map of trail and a typed summary of the trails route written by Walter Hendricks accompany the report.
Upcountry Odyssey
Copy of book written by Frank Bostwick: Upcountry Odyssey: Cycling solo at 68 from Florida to Canada through the Appalachian Mountains, signed "To Louise Hall, whose histories made Ch. 8 possible." Chapter Eight deals with Damascus, "The Friendliest Town on the Trail."
The Virginia Creeper Trail Companion
Copy of book written by Edward H. Davis and Edward B. Morgan signed by Ed Davis "To Mrs. Hall-for all you do!"
Mountain Adventure: Exploring the Appalachian Trail
Copy of book written by Ron Fisher for the National Geographic Society, signed by the author "For Louise Hall-With Best Wishes" (Damascus mentioned on p.48-49).
The Appalachian Trail
Copies (2) of book written by Ron Fisher for the National Geographic Society (1989), signed by author: "For Louise Hall who remembered me from 17 years ago, Ron Fisher, 5-20-1989. Also includes letter to Mrs. Hall, 'Louise,' from "Peanut."
The Appalachian Trail, Publication No. 5
Miscellaneous information about the AT issued by the Appalachian Trail Conference, Jan. 1950 (sixth edition).
Appalachian Trail Data Book, 1987
Published by the AT Conference, includes mile markers and features along the AT as of publication date (1987). Inscribed: "Mom from Marilou."
Appalachian Trail: Comprehensive Plan
Published by the AT Project Office, Sept. 1981. Also includes a copy of the Land and Resource Marketing Plan for Jefferson National Forest, Clinch Ranger Dist.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Silver Service Award
Plaque presented to Louise Hall "With Appreciation for Your 25 Years of Volunteer Service to the Appalachian Trail," July 14, 2001. Accompanying letter from Pamela Underhill, Park Manager personally thanking LFH for her generosity.
Appalachian Trail markers
Two metal AT markers
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trailway News, v. 35, number 3, August 1973, with article about the death of Mrs. Emma "Grandma" Gatewood. Hand written marginalia notes that she " hiked trail in 1955, 1957, and 1964. Life member of Nat'l Campers and Hikers Assoc, Director emeritus and life member of Buckeye Trail Assoc (helped mark Buckeye Trail), on many TV prog and Natl News articles, "one of 15 Children- mother of 11-24 grandchildren-30 great-grandchildren-1 great-great-grandchild"; flyer: Wildlife Report Mount Rogers National Recreation Area dated Nov. 15, 1973, "Mount Rogers Open to Hunters"; program, two pages, stapled: Damascus Appalachian Trail Days, May 8-16, 1987; newspaper insert from the WCN, dated May 6, 1987 "Damascus Celebrates the 50th Birthday of the Appalachian Trail: full week of festivities mark the first 50 years; blue booklet: "Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, 1960, listing upcoming events; newspaper article dated June 5, 1963, titled "75 and Still Hiking: Grandma Hits Trail Again," about Mrs. Emma Gatewood, with marginalia written by L.F. Hall on the back describing the arrival of Emma Gatewood in Damascus by way of the trail on June 18; Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Bulletin, vol. 1, number 4, dated Oct. 4, 1960, and two copies of the Bulletin from Spring 1962; Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club Membership list (year not specified), includes George and Louise Hall; hand drawn map of the Appalachian Trail: Maine to Georgina.
Images of America; Washington County
One copy of book written by Donna Akers Warmuth for the Images of America series (2006), signed by author and inscribed: "Mrs. Hall, Your assistance with the book was so helpful—many thanks to Damascus' historian. All the best, Donna Akers Warmuth."
A Beautiful Friendship: Damascus Virginia and the Appalachian Trail
Article written by Reference Librarian Will Stein about the history of the relationship between the Town of Damascus and hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail
Raleigh News and Observer Sunday feature article written by Scott Huler who hiked the Appalachian Trail with photographer Rob Cross.
Church histories, Washington County Historical Society Bulletins, Glenrochie Country Club, and miscellaneous historical clippings and memorabilia.
Historical Society of Washington County Bulletins
two Bulletins from Series I: No. 11 and 17; 26 Bulletins from Series II: 8, 11-16, 18-25, 27-28, 31-34, 36-39. Dates range from 1944 and 1950 (Series I) through 1992.
Church Bulletins
Historical publications related to a number of Washington County Churches: Damascus United Methodist: Commemoration of its 100th Anniversary, October 2000; New Laurel School and Community Church, 1898-1964; Faith Lutheran Church, Whitetop, Summer, 1987, commemorating the passing of Sister Sophia Moeller and Dr. Heinz C. Meyer; Tazewell Presbyterian: A History of 100 Years of Service, compiled by Ellen S. Bowen, Sept. 1952; Abingdon Presbytery-Diamond Jubilee, by Rev. Goodridge A. Wilson (1936), with folded newsletter inserted, "The Highlands Presbyterian," featuring an article on "The Stories of Two Presbyteries"; Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, Bicentennial Collection, 1972; Rock Springs Presbyterian Church, Celebrating Our 200th Year (1974), and "Building Together," typed Rock Spring Presbyterian Church newsletter that includes "Our Historic Past" and a directory; Damascus Presbyterian Church folder containing insurance documents; "Women of the Church" minutes from annual meetings of the women of the Synod of Appalachia, 1957-1960;newspaper articles: "Damascus (Presbyterian) Church Celebrates A Century of Worship, WCN, Aug. 22, 2007; "Tiny Congregation Set to Mark Church's 100th (Damascus Presbyterian Church), BHC, Aug. 25, 2007.
Historical Publications
Bound volume: Women of Old Abingdon, featuring notable women of the Abingdon Presbytery, compiled by Mrs. White M. Ryburn, Miss Ellen S. Bowen, Mrs. J.W. Walker; bound volume: Places in Time, vol. II: Abingdon, Meadowview and Glade Spring, by Nanci C. King; three Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Newsletters, 2000-2001; bound volume: The Washington Homes of Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Newspaper article about Louise Fortune Hall
Article from WCN dated Dec. 13, 2006: "Historian Spends a Few Minutes Looking Back," by Caitlin Sullivan; photograph of George Hall.
Folder marked: Washington Co. Hist. Soc.
Various documents, including: Newsletter (v. III, No. 5, 1974); list of Officers, 1976-77; a letter from Klell Napps, President, to membership relating the news that the HS would have to relocate from the County Court House (May 1, 1975); letter addressed to Miss Polly Creekmore (listed as President in above list of Officers for 1976-77), unsigned but on American Society for State and Local History letterhead, with a number of considerations related to the need to move the HS; photocopied sheet with title "Recollections: A tribute to Margaret Rogers Davis.
Folder labelled "Our Local Situation"
Various documents pertaining to Damascus Presbyterian Church in response to queries from the Stewardship Committee of Abingdon Presbytery (July 23, 1963).
Glenrochie Country Club
Various documents related to the organization and functions of the Glenrochie Country Club, of which Mrs. Hall was a stockholder.
Maps and plans for the Town of Damascus; Oversized prints; History of Damascus in serialized newspaper format.
Tagged Damascus Street Map, Rev. 1990
36x48 map showing street level detail of the Town of Damascus, down to street numbers. Unattributed. Appears to be a copy.
Rolled copies of Sanborn maps
Six 11x17 photocopied sheets (each sheet comprised of two 8 1/2x 11 sheets taped together), marked Sanborn Maps, Mar. 1908, featuring various parts of Damascus.
Tagged: 1980 Map Imboden St. past SW Bridge
Census map, approximately 25x30" labeled: "Town of Damascus Virginia, Washington County, Review Map. Census map inventory number 51-0360-01.
Pres. Sunday School Plans, LA Opkoff
Floor plans and drawings for an addition to be added to the Damascus Presbyterian Church to house and educational facility.Floor plans and drawings for an addition to be added to the Damascus Presbyterian Church to house and educational facility.
Damascus Cemetery Graves
Hand-drawn map bearing the legend: "This map Frances Wingfield and Louise Fortune Hall Endeavor 1975. First Grave Rosanna Dolinger Wright." Original on heavy brown paper, badly frayed, with a note to copy to white paper. Accompanied by several copies.
Map of Damascus, 1950
Map, approximately 31x21. Original in very poor condition. Two copies. Fortune property is highlighted, bounded by Front St., Reynolds St, an alley, and Beaverdam Creek. Hand-drawn supplementary map of East Damascus dated 9-15-1960.
Topo Map of Damascus
U.S. Geological Survey Map of Damascus Quadrant dated 1938 (photo-revised 1969).
Plan of Damascus Washington County, Virginia, 1887
Large Scale (approximately 36x24") Plan of Damascus, by Alson Hutton, CE, dated 1887. Scale 198 ft. to 1 inch. Very brittle condition.
"Damascus Virginia High School one of the finest in the state"
Article from the Journal Virginian [The Washington County Journal and the Abingdon Virginia], dated Sept. 28, 1928.
The Southwest Corner
Feature article from the Editorial Page of the Roanoke Virginian, Jan. 26, 1950, "The Southwest Corner" by Goodridge Wilson, about John D. Imboden and his various enterprises throughout Southwest Virginia, including the founding of the Town of Damascus. "A History of Damascus is being written and published serially in the town's weekly newspaper, The Washington County News, edited by Eleanore Crist Anderson and John Sherwood Anderson."
Note: Author Sherwood Anderson began his journalistic career with the purchase of the Smyth County News and Marion Democrat in 1927. In 1948 Anderson's son, John, along with his wife Eleanore, founded The Damascus Blade, which went on to become the Washington County News, published in Abingdon.
Damascus H.S. Valley Echo, Senior Edition, Class of 1931
Vol. VI, No. 5, five pages, protected by Melinex sleeves.Sarah Fortune is pictured with Wilton C. Mock, Principle and her classmates.
Detail from Map From the State of Tennessee Taken From Survey
(as above)
Washington County News (formerly the Damascus Blade) Serialization of History of Damascus
Louise Fortune Hall's History of Damascus was first published in serial form in the Washington County News (formerly the Damascus Blade), under the editorship of John Sherwood Anderson and Eleanore Crist Anderson. 1st installment, Dec. 15, 1949 (v. II, no. 49); 2nd installment, Dec. 22, 1949 (v. II, no. 50): "Rambo Family"; 3rd installment, Dec. 29, 1949 (v. II, no. 51): "Mock's Mill"; 4th installment, Jan. 5. 1950 (v. III, no. 1): "Mock's Mill Becomes Damascus"; 5th installment, Jan. 12, 1950 (v. III, no. 2): "Street Scene Damascus"; 6th installment, Jan. 26, 1950 (v. III, no. 4): "More Industries, Growth, and Government"; 7th installment, Feb. 2, 1949 (v. III, no. 5): "More Utilities"; 8th installment, Feb. 9, 1950 (vol. v. III, no. 6): "Newspapers and Churches"; 9th installment, Feb. 16, 1950 (v. III, no. 7): "Fire Fighting"; the front page of Vol. III, no. 7 was also preserved by Mrs. Hall. There was a handwritten note across the top saying "There will be one more chapter of Damascus History." This issue includes a statement from the editors announcing that the newspaper was now being published in Abingdon (see note under Maps_10 above); 10th installment, Feb. 23, 1950 (vol. III, no. 8): "Clubs and Industrial Growth" Also included in the preserved copies of the Washington County News is a letter to the editors written by John Crist giving additional background on industires in Damascus and the Citizen's Club: (v. III, no. 9).