Abingdon Walks
Dublin Core
Title
Abingdon Walks
Subject
Abingdon, Va.
History
Historical Markers
Attractions
Tourism
Sight-seeing
Day trips
Walking
History
Historical Markers
Attractions
Tourism
Sight-seeing
Day trips
Walking
Description
Various walking/biking excursions in and around Abingdon. Maps, photos, flyers, and brief historical descriptions of people, places and events which have shaped the community, bringing to light the nuanced character of this popular tourist destination.
Creator
William Stein
Source
Historical Society publications, articles from local publications, state and regional organizations. (Bibliography and list of online resources attached.)
Date
Late 18th Century down to the present
Relation
hmdb.org
Format
Maps, still images, documents, websites
Language
English
Identifier
Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources
Collection Items
Abingdon Historic District
According to The Historical Markers Database (HMdb.org) there are 23 Historical Markers and War Memorials in Abingdon. Many of the markers, but not all, were issued by the Virginia Conservation Commission and are listed in the Virginia Landmarks…
The Barter Theatre
"A repertory theater group was organized here in the 1930s by Robert Porterfield for out-of-work actors. From bartering admission tickets for anything from huckleberries to lamb chops, it has grown into the State Theatre of Virginia. Drawing…
Depot Square Historic District
"Located one block south of Main Street...the Depot Square Historic District began taking shape around 1856 when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad extended the first railroad through Abingdon and constructed a depot. The advent of the railroad made…
The Cave House (The Adam Hickman House)
Adam Hickman was a local builder and town councilman who built this house and the nearby William Pitts House in the 1850's. Both houses are distinctive but the Hickman House bears an additional distinction from the legendary status of the cave behind…
Sinking Spring Cemetery
The Sinking Spring Cemetery marks the site of the first church building bearing the Sinking Spring name. Built as a front-log structure in the early 1700’s, it was supplanted by a larger building sometime in the 1780’s. This continued as the church…
Bartering with Robert Porterfield
Saltville native Robert Porterfield was an out-of-work actor in New York City when he decided to return to southwestern "Virginia in 1932. He brought with him twenty-two other unemployed actors, and together they founded Barter Theatre, allowing…
Virginia Creeper Railway "Mollie" (Class M) Steam
![Virginia Creeper Railway "Mollie" (Class M) Steam](https://archives-wcpl.net/Archive7_Appalachia/project/files/square_thumbnails/0049e05e1a50bc50c614a990b05868d3.jpg "Virginia Creeper Railway "Mollie" (Class M) Steam")
"The Abingdon Branch crossed some of the highest and most scenic terrain of any standard gauge railroad in the United States. In the 55½ miles from Abingdon to West Jefferson, there were 108 bridges, most made with timber, and no…
Wolf Creek and the Abingdon Muster Grounds
"Aerial view of Wolf Creek and the Abingdon Muster Grounds"
The Tavern
"Taverns played an important role in the early years of Abingdon, when large numbers of settlers were passing through the area on their way further west. Governor David Campbell wrote that when he first saw Abingdon as a boy in 1783, there were only…
The Martha Washington Inn
"…Porterfield persuaded a company of 22 unemployed and hungry New York actors to follow him to Abingdon and exchange culture and entertainment for food. Town officials, intrigued by Porterfield’s audacious idea, agreed to let him stage plays in the…