Category: Industry

Reverend Roy Redding: A Missionary’s Journey Through Southwest Virginia

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 Admin 2 Comments

Roy Warren Redding was born on October 12, 1900, in Franklin County, Kentucky, the youngest of six children to Jake and Linda Lyman Redding. He spent his childhood in the small community of Switzer, located just north of Frankfort. It was here, at the age of 11, that he preached his first sermon at the Rocky Branch School, a one-room schoolhouse that he attended. Despite the six-mile walk to school, it became a sacred place for Roy, especially on rainy days when he would baptize converts and preach on the schoolhouse floor. At age 12, Roy experienced a pivotal moment in his faith when he accepted an invitation to follow Christ. “I had to borrow two dollars and fifty cents from my brother, Charlie, to buy clothes for my baptism,” Roy recalled. “I paid him back by selling rabbits at 10 cents a piece.” A deep, burning desire to become a missionary took root in his heart, and each evening, he would pray alone in the back of the barn, asking God to show him His will. He ordered two sermon books from Sears, thinking he might leave home to become a minister without anyone knowing. But God had other plans. His pastor, Dr. Charles Stevens, soon approached him with the very question Roy had been waiting for: “Do you feel called to the ministry?” With a joyful “yes,” Roy was introduced to Bible schools that would help him further his calling. Though Dr. Stevens offered him $25 to get started, Roy refused and instead borrowed $75 from a friend. Tying a rope around an old suitcase, he walked 15 miles to the railroad station, singing “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” as he went. Roy traveled 150 miles by train to attend his chosen school and worked as a church caretaker for $25 a month. During his studies, a missionary from the American Sunday School Union spoke to students about mission work, inspiring Roy to apply for a position. He was accepted and assigned to Southwest Virginia, where he would spend the next several decades of his life. Roy’s missionary work spanned several counties in Southwest Virginia, including Smyth, Grayson, Lee, Tazewell, and many more. He conducted over 1,150 Bible schools and organized summer Bible camps in three counties. His travels often took him to remote, underserved communities, such as Groseclose, where he walked 15 miles to assess the area. A local man warned him, “You’ll never come out of that place alive—the bootleggers will think you’re a detective.” Undeterred, Roy organized his first Sunday School in Groseclose, and with the help of his friend, Reverend C. H. Atwell, who donated land, a church was established there. Throughout his years of service, Roy encountered numerous challenges and memorable experiences. On one occasion, he and his wife became stranded on a muddy road while traveling to an evening service. With no money, Roy borrowed a logging chain from a nearby farmhouse, leaving his wife as collateral. Despite the difficulties, they managed to get their car unstuck, though they arrived at their destination only at 4 a.m., covered in mud and soaked through. (Photo near the Odd Fellows Hall in Sugar Grove, VA, Roy and Nell Redding.) Roy’s missionary work took him across Southwest Virginia, logging more than a million miles. Over his lifetime, he conducted over 2,500 funerals and officiated at 1,500 weddings. Despite threats from moonshiners and other challenges, Roy remained committed to his calling. One former Smyth County sheriff, Sam Dillard, said that after one of Roy’s revivals in 1937, the impact on local moonshine activity was greater than all law enforcement efforts over the previous 20 years. Roy married Nell Rouse in 1932, but tragically, she passed away from leukemia in 1974. In 1975, at the age of 75, Roy remarried to Margie Barker, and they moved to Washington County. Roy continued his ministry until his passing on January 28, 1992, at the age of 91. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Marion, Virginia. Margie, his second wife, passed away in 1993. (Roy and 2nd Wife Margie Redding, photo at left. Photo from Valley View Baptist Church Collection) Roy Warren Redding’s life is a testament to dedication, faith, and the power of one person’s commitment to spreading the Gospel. His legacy of service in the mountains of Virginia continues to inspire those who follow in his footsteps. *Source: Valley View Baptist Church History & Virginia Dare Baker Photo Collection

Adwolfe, Baptist, Churches, Communities, Methodist, Moonshiners & Bootleggers, Quebec, Valley View Baptist Church

History of the Dickeys Knob Fire Tower

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 Admin No Comments

The Dickeys Knob lookout tower was built in the early 1930s. The exact date is unknown. A USGS marker is located on top of the mountain not far from the location of the lookout tower. 1934 has been said to be the year of the construction because a 1934 penny was embedded in the wet cement of the marker. Later, vandals chiseled it out. Seasonally, during Spring before the trees leafed out and Fall when lots of dry vegetation was on the ground were the times that guardians/fire watchers were employed to man the fire towers. They used a device that was rather modern for the time called an Osborn Fire Finder. This was used to determine the location of the fire so it could then be pinpointed on a map and reported. Reports were made to dispatchers using short wave radios or telephones that were maintained by the US Forest Service for this purpose. A report was needed from 3 total lookout towers to pinpoint coordinates on a map of a fire location. This all took place before fire crews were summoned. To use an Osborn Fire Finder, you needed to look through the sights similar to sights on a rifle, line it up with the base of the fire and a peephole in the rear sight. Once the hair is properly aligned, you can then take the horizontal reading in degrees and minutes. After that, you obtain the vertical angle reading by using the measurement on the sliding metal piece on the rear sight and estimate the miles between the tower and the sight of the smoke using the metal tape on the device. Check the map which is calibrated to my tower’s location and affixed to the fire finder to pinpoint the area of a fire very closely. This fire finder was designed by W. B. Osborne, a US Forest Service employee in 1915. Parts for this device have not been produced since 1975 making them very scarce. There are also no casting patterns or production drawings. Guardians, or lookouts lead a very quiet and often lonely existence in the lookout towers. Sometimes people would climb the mountain to visit or bring supplies, food or water. During fire season, sleep was interrupted every hour on the hour during the night to scan the horizon for a glow of fire. Sometimes Steam from moonshine stills back in the mountains could be seen from the lookout towers but the fire watchers knew better than to report this due to the isolated nature of their work and reasonable possibility of severe retaliation from the moonshiners. The tower on Dickeys Knob was 50 feet tall and had an interior space of 12×12 enclosed at the top. There was a catwalk all the way around the top of the tower on the exterior. Generally, October 15-December 15 and February 15- June 15 is considered “fire season” by the US Forest Service in our area which is known as the Holston District of the Jefferson National Forest. During the time of these operations, Charlie Harrington, a Sugar Grove native, and 4 other men in this district, would make the fire towers their homes where they would live, eat, sleep and keep lookout for forest fires. If someone seen smoke, they used the Osborne Fire Finder to get a coordinate/location then made contact with other towers in the area to have them do the same. With a total of 3 coordinates, the location would be pinpointed on a map and a fire would be reported to the ranger or assistant ranger on duty who would be on their way to the location with a fire crew. The Osborne Fire Finder was similar to a large compass laid overtop a map of the area. Two other towers were needed to provide coordinates to map an exact location. At this time, the US Forest Service had their own telephones and lines that they maintained. Workers were required to have a phone at their home and were assigned a specific number of rings such as 2 longs and 1 short. These phones were wall mounted crank phones. There were very few phones in Sugar Grove at this time. The public phone system during this period was called Inter-Mountain Telephone Company. The fire tower was equipped with a small wood stove for heat and cooking. There was also a 1 man bed, some cabinets for storage and cooking utensils. Among these were a few porcelain pots and pans which were widely used during this era. The tower had unobstructed glass windows all around for a full 360 degree view of the forest. The tower had no electricity or running water. Perishables could be hung underneath the tower on the north side to keep items cool. With the elevation, there would often be a nice breeze flowing and the north side provided shade from sun. There were no restroom facilities except for a small brown building at the base of the tower a little ways off to the side which was an outhouse. The fire tower was a popular place to visit in the 1930s and 1940s. At that time, it was possible to drive a car up to the tower or walk up the mountain trail. On the east side, there is a rock cliff with a drop some 30 feet straight down. After the tower was a torn down, a hiking trail was built from the nearby Raccoon campground. This trail goes past the cliff and then to the top of the mountain. Charles Harrington kept a guest log that Donald Harrington, his son, made available in his book*. The tower had lots of visitors who signed the log book. Sometimes they were from other states. When visitors came to the tower, Mr. Harrington gave them a “Squirrel Card” that featured a picture of the lookout tower and bore the emblem of the US Forest Service. It read “This Certifies that ______On…

Communities, Dickey, Harrington, Industry, Railroad, Sugar Grove

The Big 1955 Flood

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024 Admin No Comments

In March 1955, several consecutive issues of the Smyth County News reported on a significant weather event that caused severe flooding across Smyth County. Both Sugar Grove and Marion experienced substantial flooding, which was covered in different newspaper issues. In Sugar Grove, the flooding resulted in part from the failure of two settling bin dams associated with a manganese mining operation in Rye Valley. According to the paper, the bins were used in connection with this mining operation, located about 2 miles from the Sugar Grove Water Company’s springs and reservoir. The dam failure left Sugar Grove residents without water from Friday to Sunday, flooding the company’s water sources. In Marion, a subsequent article in the Smyth County News provided a more detailed account of the flooding. It reported that heavy rains over several weeks led to the reemergence of Keller’s Pond on Park Boulevard, which had been a local landmark. The flooding caused around 3 feet of water to cover the road and a significant portion of the parking area at the drive-in theater, halting its operations. The new lake, dubbed “Hungry Father Lake” by local children, became a notable feature of the event. Town engineer Tom Ritter worked tirelessly to remove the floodwater and reopen the heavily traveled Route 16. Traffic was redirected through Staley, Rhea, and Wassona Park while the town deployed two 500-gallon-per-minute pumps to manage the situation. Initially, water was pumped into a sinkhole near the original lake, but officials later redirected the flow to Staley Street after complaints of water entering residents’ basements. The ditch along Route 11 proved too small to handle the volume. The pumping operation cost the town approximately $50 per day, equivalent to around $600 per day in 2024. Ritter noted that draining the lake, which formed naturally from runoff from Radio Hill and Wassona Park, was impossible. Plans were made to survey and raise the road level once the water was removed. Longtime residents recall the lake as a persistent feature, with Crockett Gwyn, who moved to Marion in January 1914, noting that it was as large then as it is now. Given the scale of the flooding in Marion, it’s likely that Sugar Grove and surrounding areas experienced similar, though less-publicized, impacts. Residents who remember the event confirm that the water in Sugar Grove reached about 3 feet in some places. Jack Taylor, a local who was a child at the time, recalls the water reaching over the porch of my grandfather’s house on Teas Road (The Sherman Combs, Sr. House) where the porch is in fact about 3 feet from the ground. Photographs from a similar flood in the 1970s show comparable inundation in the area, with boat rescues needed to evacuate people trapped in their homes. The manganese mining operation was situated between Sugar Grove and the current Pat Jennings Visitor Center, with the ridge between them standing approximately 3,400 feet in elevation. ———– Sources: Smyth County News & Marion Democrat March 1955 Jack Taylor 1899 Smyth County Map, Chas R. Boyd, Geologist David Rutherford

Communities, Lead Mines, Sugar Grove, Teas

The Death of Daniel “Doc” Hoppers on the Marion Rye Valley Railroad

July 31, 2024September 20, 2024 Admin 4 Comments

On September 25, 1910, the Marion Rye Valley Railroad was struck by a profound tragedy that shook the local community and the railroad industry alike. The incident claimed the life of Daniel “Doc” Hoppers, a respected fireman who was tragically killed in a horrific accident. As the dust settled on that fateful day, the story of Doc Hoppers became a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who worked tirelessly on the rails. Daniel Hoppers, known affectionately as “Doc” by his colleagues, was a fireman on the Marion Rye Valley Railroad. At 35 years old, he was a seasoned worker, trusted by his peers and valued for his experience. Doc was originally from North Carolina, but his life and work had brought him to the heart of the developing railroad industry in Grayson and Smyth Counties. On that particular September day, Doc Hoppers was performing a routine but perilous task. He had adjusted a switch and underhook in preparation for the Shay engine, a robust locomotive known for its unique design and power. He needed to jump onto the cow catcher of the engine, a maneuver that was fraught with risk. However, as fate would have it, something went tragically awry. While attempting to complete the task, Doc fell under the moving Shay engine. The heavy machinery, unable to stop in time, ran over him before the engineer could bring the locomotive to a halt. The scene was one of utter devastation, with Doc Hoppers’ life cut short in a matter of moments. Daniel Hoppers was not just a worker on the railroad; he was a devoted husband and father. He left behind his wife, Alice, and three young children who were left to grieve the sudden and tragic loss of their beloved father and husband. The impact of his death rippled through his family and the community, leaving a void that would be felt for years to come. The accident occurred near the old band mill located in Fairwood, a place that now holds a bittersweet significance in the history of the Marion Rye Valley Railroad. It is here that Doc Hoppers met his untimely end, a grim reminder of the perilous nature of railroad work in that era. In honoring his memory, Doc Hoppers’ remains were interred in the Liberty Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Grant. The cemetery, a place of solace and reflection, now holds the resting place of a man whose life was cut tragically short but whose legacy is remembered with respect and sorrow. The death of Daniel Hoppers serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who worked on the railroads during the early 20th century. The rigorous and often dangerous nature of railroad work was compounded by the limitations of safety protocols and equipment of the time. Each accident was a stark reminder of the risks involved and the critical need for stringent safety measures. As we reflect on the life and tragic death of Doc Hoppers, it is important to remember the sacrifices made by railroad workers and to honor their contributions to the industry. Their dedication and bravery paved the way for the modern advancements in railroad safety and technology that we benefit from and know today. In the annals of railroad history, the story of Daniel “Doc” Hoppers stands as a somber testament to the bravery and risks faced by those who kept the wheels of industry turning. His memory continues to be honored by those who remember the perils of the past and work toward a safer future for all involved in the railroad industry. For added context and information, Gary Price provided the following insight on this event: “It was a very common practice for railroad men to ride the cowcatcher of a locomotive when throwing a lot of switches, assuming their trip that day was going up the switch backs to the scales. The fireman would throw the switch and jump on the cowcatcher and then ride to the end of the switchback while the brakeman on the rear would reverse the switch for the climb up to the next switch back. Once passing the switch again, the fireman would return the switch back to the original position and climb back aboard the locomotive. The underhook was a device used to help secure the Shay locomotive to the cars it was hauling because the tacks were crude and uneven.”

Industry, Railroad

Brunswick: A Cemetery Relocated

April 30, 2024September 21, 2024 Admin

Originally home to several families and bordered by the Cress and Nelson cemeteries, the property on Old Brunswick Road underwent a significant transformation in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The land was sold to the government for the construction of a munitions plant. Upon completion in the 1960s, the plant spanned a few hundred acres and comprised 47 original buildings. It was then known as Brunswick. Nestled within the rolling landscape of that expansive property was a hidden cemetery, known only to a select few. Unlike the nearby Nelson or Cress cemeteries, this resting place, with its handful of graves, held its own mysterious history. It had been the elusive third cemetery, discreetly relocated by Brunswick Corporation before the construction of the facility. Only a few living family members of those who were buried there knew about the relocation. It was not talked about or discussed publicly due to fears of negative publicity for Brunswick. Iris Barker gave one such account of an aunt and brother whose graves were relocated to the Ridgelawn Cemetery in 2020 prior to her passing in 2022. Her brother, John W. Pafford, Jr. who died at 1 day old in 1950 and an aunt, who died at the age of 3 in 1924. An obituary for Mary Frances Pafford was found along with a death certificate however, the death certificate does not list a burial location. The obituary only specifies “…On Sunday Morning, the little body was carried by loving hands to the Methodist Church and there, after a short but comforting service by Reverend Robert Ingraham, the body was taken to God’s Acre…” It is not known if “God’s Acre” may have been a general reference to a burial or an actual name given to this small cemetery that was situated somewhere on the Brunswick property. No death certificate was found for the other infant who was relocated to Ridgelawn Cemetery. Reverend Robert Ingraham was not mentioned in the history of either Wharf Hill or Elizabeth UMC and it is unknown whether he was a visiting pastor of a community church or otherwise. The Cress and Nelson Cemeteries are both sizeable with one containing 60 interments and the other 20. These cemeteries date back to the 1880s respectively. It is unknown at this time the total number of interments that were relocated to other area cemeteries. Some have mentioned a Haulsee cemetery that seems to have been near the area but we are unsure if this contained the graves that Brunswick relocated. If you have further information on relocated graves associated with Brunswick throughout Sugar Grove, please contact us with the information. We would love to add it.

Brunswick, Cemeteries, Communities, Cress, Families, History, Industry, Methodist, Nelson, Nelson, Pafford, Ridgelawn, Stories, Sugar Grove

Hamm-Roberts Mill

April 11, 2024November 24, 2024 Admin

In the sleepy town of Sugar Grove, Virginia, there is a quaint red mill, a silent witness to the passage of time since its construction in 1918. Situated along the south fork of the Holston River, it once thrummed with the energy of bustling activity. But as years slipped by and farming practices evolved, the mill fell into a quiet slumber, its wooden floors echoing only the scurrying of mice and the chirping of birds. Constructed in 1918 under the direction of Famous Hamm, the Hamm-Roberts Mill stands as a testament to early 20th-century industrial architecture. Crafted by the skilled hands of architect Jackson Peacock, this multi-story frame edifice originally served as a bustling mill. A.B. Roberts later acquired the property, managing its operations until his passing in 1935. After undergoing meticulous restoration efforts years later, the mill now proudly stands as the sole operational relic of its kind within the county. Enter Sena Ward, an octogenarian at the time of the original publishing of this story whose spirit belied her age. With faded blue jeans and a painter’s cap perched upon her head, she was the unlikely overseer of this dormant relic. A full-time farmer and keeper of livestock, Mrs. Ward wore many hats, but her heart belonged to the old mill. As a young girl, she had danced among the dusty aisles of her father’s business (Adam B. Roberts), absorbing the secrets of the mill with every sweep of her broom. Her education spanned far beyond the confines of formal schooling; she learned the intricacies of belt repairs, gear changes, and the alchemy of turning cornmeal and buckwheat into the finest quality golden flour. Life led her down different paths — from teacher to hospital dietitian — but the call of her inheritance beckoned her home in 1967 at the age of nearly 70. With determination blazing in her eyes, she rolled up her sleeves and set to work. Armed with a broom and a vision, she breathed life back into the forgotten mill. “It’s important for people to know their heritage,” Sena would say, her voice tinged with the wisdom of years gone by. She was more than just a miller; she was a steward of history. Hand looms and ancient artifacts coud still be found around the mill’s storied halls, each telling a tale of a bygone era. “I. think it’s important for people to know their heritage, she explains as she shows off the two hand looms she keeps on the mill’s second floor. “That’s why I save things like old telephones and old Indian tomahawks.” Though the mill still bore the scars of neglect, Mrs. Ward’s determination knew no bounds. With each passing day, she lovingly tended to its restoration, a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit. Amidst the whirring of machinery and the gentle hum of the river, Sena Ward stood as a beacon of hope, breathing new life into the heart of her community, one grain at a time. Some of the lucky lifelong residents of Sugar Grove still have an original Hamm-Roberts Corn Meal bag, once in a while one of these will turn up at someone’s estate sale framed or in a random box of goodies. They are few and far between. The mill is now over 100 years old and has been repainted. The grounds are well maintained beautifully. It makes for great drive by photography. Driving across the nearby bridge will provide a view of the dam and waterfall in back of the mill. Mrs. Sena Ward was a highly educated woman having earned degrees from Berea, Columbia University and the University of Kentucky. She was a vast source of local history and information as well as a former educator and dietitian. Mrs. Ward also wrote regular articles in the Smyth County News which give us quite a bit of insight into the community from time to time. She lived well into her 90s and passed away August 11, 1995. She was laid to rest at the Blue Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. The Hamm-Roberts Mill is a historic structure that we hope will remain in our community for many, many years to come! *Quotes taken from Southwest Times, Volume 79, Number 28, 3 February 1982

Communities, Industry, Mill, Teas, Ward

Teas Extract Plant

April 10, 2024May 30, 2025 Admin

Situated just outside of Sugar Grove Virginia is the smaller community of Teas wherein lies a storied chapter of industrial history – the Teas Extract Plant. Formerly known as the Marion Extract Plant, this facility was chartered in 1910 in what is now the community of Teas, just outside of Sugar Grove. The charter was granted to the Marion Extract Company on May 20 1910, with a capital of not less than $300k or more than $600k. Officers for the first year named in the charter were W. H. Teas, President, E. M. Campbell, Vice President, both of Ridgeway, PA. Also, J.C. Campbell of Marion was named secretary and treasurer. The Extract Company consisted of the following buildings: Main Building 75 x 100 Engine House 40 x 75 Barreling House 40 x 100 2 Leech Houses each 50 x 250 Chipper Shed 60 x 10 Pan House 40 x 60 Machine Shop 60 x 100 12 boilers, 200 HP each The company expected to use about 100 cords of wood each day It was The name “Teas” was bestowed upon the area in honor of W. H. Teas, the esteemed Superintendent of the Extract Plant, who left an indelible mark on the community. Read more about the history of Teas here. Mr. Teas, a prominent figure in the region, not only oversaw the plant’s operations but also built his grand residence in the heart of the community, a home that still stands today along Teas Road just past the church, serving as a testament to the area’s rich heritage. While the plant was in operation, it boasted its own company commissary, expertly managed by Mr. Charlie Keesling, catering to the needs of its workforce and fostering a sense of community spirit. During its heyday, the Teas Extract Plant employed over 2000 individuals from the surrounding area, becoming a vital economic lifeline for the community. Operating with a capacity of 300,000 gallons per day, it ranked as the second-largest extract plant globally. The plant’s operations revolved around the processing of chestnut, oak, and hemlock bark, primarily for the production of tannic acid. Unfortunately, this demand resulted in a near-extinction of chestnut trees in the region, highlighting the environmental impact of the plant’s operations. However, as resources in the area became depleted, the fate of the Teas Extract Plant was sealed. Once its supply was exhausted, the plant was dismantled, marking the end of an era for Sugar Grove and the Rye Valley area. The community, which had thrived around the plant, witnessed changes as the small houses constructed for plant workers were eventually sold off and demolished. Several community elders have told stories over the years of going outside to watch the demolition of the smokestack and likened the blasting to fireworks. It was quite a memorable spectacle to been according to most accounts given. The legacy of the Teas Extract Plant lives on through the memories and stories shared by residents, preserving its impact on the region’s history. The rise and fall of this industrial giant serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of progress and the delicate balance between economic development and environmental stewardship. As visitors explore the scenic beauty of Sugar Grove and the surrounding area, they are invited to reflectupon the legacy of the Teas Extract Plant and its enduring impact on the communities it once served. Through the contributions of individuals like Mrs. Lucille Kinkade, who graciously shared her insights, the story of the Teas Extract Plant continues to be woven into the fabric of Sugar Grove’s history, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come. Mrs. Kinkade shared this account 7/21/2018. She passed away at the age of 101 on May 23, 2023. Her obituary can be viewed here.

Communities, Extract Plant, Industry, Teas

Brief History of the Rye Valley

April 10, 2024June 12, 2024 Admin

Nestled amid the rolling hills and verdant valleys of southern Smyth County, Virginia, lies the picturesque community of Sugar Grove, a place steeped in history and brimming with tales of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. The story of Sugar Grove and its surrounding Rye Valley area is one of pioneering families, bustling industry, and the enduring legacy of Appalachian heritage. The roots of Sugar Grove stretch back to the early 19th century, when intrepid settlers ventured into the rugged wilderness of southwestern Virginia in search of new opportunities. Among these pioneers were families whose names would become synonymous with the region’s history, including the Cole, Williams, Marks and James families to name a few. These early settlers carved out homesteads from the wilderness, clearing land for farming and establishing tight-knit communities that would endure for generations. One of the most significant chapters in Sugar Grove’s history was the discovery of lead deposits in the nearby mountains, sparking a boom in mining activity during the 19th century. The lead mines brought prosperity to the region, attracting workers and entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the newfound wealth. The bustling town of Sugar Grove grew up around the mines, becoming a center of commerce and trade in Smyth County. In addition to mining, agriculture played a crucial role in the economy of Sugar Grove and the Rye Valley area. The fertile soil and favorable climate made the region ideal for farming, with crops such as corn, wheat, and tobacco becoming staples of the local economy. Families worked the land with dedication and skill, sustaining themselves and their communities through hard work and perseverance. One of the most notable businesses to emerge in the area was the Teas extract plant. The plant processed herbs and botanicals harvested from the surrounding mountains, producing extracts, mainly tannic acid from chestnut bark. The Teas extract plant became a cornerstone of the local economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the prosperity of the region employing nearly 2000 people during its operations. Throughout its history, Sugar Grove has been defined by the resilience and resourcefulness of its residents. In times of hardship, such as the Great Depression, the community rallied together, supporting one another and finding innovative ways to weather the storm. The spirit of cooperation and mutual aid that characterized life in Sugar Grove remains a hallmark of the region to this day. One would think with such a rich history, Sugar Grove would be better documented in the general history of Smyth County. Contrary to what one might think, it’s hardly mentioned and many historically significant writings, photos, publications, mentions and stories have disappeared. I have found research on this part of the county to be a daunting task due to the many dead ends I’ve run upon. Despite the lack of historical information, I do have many interesting stories and articles I have composed that I hope to share. I hope by sharing these, it sparks the interest in someone who may have some old photos or documentation of histories yet unknown. As visitors to Smyth County explore the historic sites and scenic beauty of Sugar Grove and the Rye Valley area, they are invited to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Appalachian heritage. From the pioneering families who settled the land to the bustling industry that shaped its economy, the story of Sugar Grove is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Appalachian people. Through preservation efforts and ongoing community initiatives, the legacy of Sugar Grove will continue to inspire and captivate generations to come.

Communities, History, Industry