Why feature maps of Roanoke when our focus is Montgomery County?
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German Settlement of Southwest Virginia
The German Middle Settlement—spanning present-day Pulaski, Giles, and Montgomery Counties—has a rich, well-documented history. This page gathers books and resources that highlight the families, traditions, and stories that shaped the community and its lasting impact on Southwest Virginia.
Leadership at Virginia Tech and Its Impact on Blacksburg’s History
The history of the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, is deeply connected to the evolution of Virginia’s land-grant university. Founded as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC), the institution later became Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University—now known simply as Virginia Tech. A school of many abbreviations: VPI, VPI&SU and now VT). The university’s growth,Continue reading “Leadership at Virginia Tech and Its Impact on Blacksburg’s History”
Beauty Shops of Blacksburg
List of business collected from Telephone Directories 1963 & 1964 phone directories: Betty Ann Beauty Shop, Prices Fork Rd; Blacksburg Beauty Shoppe, 714 North Main St; Fashionette Beauty Salon, Jackson St, Ruth Harmon & Judy Hodges; Laura’s Beauty Salon, 803 Progess St; Marsay Beauty Shoppe, 106 Faculty; Stylette Beauty Salon, Bessie S. Sanderson, 300 EastContinue reading “Beauty Shops of Blacksburg”
Shopping in Blacksburg: Western Auto Store
The Western Auto Store in Blacksburg stood on the east side of North Main Street, between College Avenue and Jackson Street, with another location in Christiansburg. After World War II, it became a vital resource for the community, much like the Sears Catalog store. Each year before Christmas, children excitedly studied the toy catalog, theirContinue reading “Shopping in Blacksburg: Western Auto Store”
Maddie Lamb Tucker & Spout Spring House
Mrs Tucker owned the Spout Spring House, this early Blacksburg home stood above a spring that once provided water for the community and the young Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Its construction reflects early log-building traditions later concealed by weatherboarding. “Memories – Mattie Lamb Tucker” booklet (searchable pdf) contains a wealth of local Blacksburg History. Copies canContinue reading “Maddie Lamb Tucker & Spout Spring House”
Resource Series: Coinage & Currency
How did residents of Montgomery County, in Central Appalachia, Virginia, purchase essentials during the Colonial period and into the early years of the United States Republic? Colonial Virginia The British government restricted colonial Virginia from minting coins, printing paper currency, or establishing banks. Instead, silver and gold coins from England, Spain, Germany, and Portugal (knownContinue reading “Resource Series: Coinage & Currency”
Sunnyside-Toms Creek Memorial Park, 2001
Sunnyside – Toms Creek Memorial Park is located on Glade Road, next to Fairview Community Church, 3766 Glade Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060. Sunnyside-Toms Creek Veterans Association Memorial A Brief History of Our Memorial On a sunny afternoon in September, approximately 500 residents and friends of the Sunnyside and Toms Creek communities gathered to dedicate aContinue reading “Sunnyside-Toms Creek Memorial Park, 2001”
Gathering Blacksburg Maps
Maps are essential tools for historical research in Central Appalachia as they provide a multidimensional perspective on the region’s past, integrating geographical, political, economic, social, and environmental factors into a comprehensive historical narrative. Maps are organized on this page.
Restaurant Series: Hokie House
The Hokie House, an iconic bar at 322 North Main Street since the late 1960s, is known for its burgers and beer. It started as Mrs. Ryman’s lunch counter and later belonged to George Willard. In the basement, head barber Stewart Michael Ribble was popular with the VPI/VT Corps of Cadets, often drawing long lines of first-year cadets.
Gathering Blacksburg History 