The Characters and the Character of Arnold’s Valley
Stephen D. Beck, outgoing president of the Rockbridge Historical Society, will present RHS’ final quarterly program of the year, titled “The Characters and the Character of Arnold’s Valley.”
Held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, December 2, in the gymnasium at Natural Bridge Elementary School, this illustrated slideshow is free and open to all, with plenty of accessible seating and parking. Refreshments and fellowship will close the afternoon, along with a chance to browse historic displays and purchase RHS publications and maps for the gift-giving season. President Beck’s farewell presentation will be rich in archival images, historical facts, and material drawn from family stories and scrapbooks. But his approach is somewhat different from recent RHS programs that have centered on some of the lesser-known villages and communities of Rockbridge County. Beyond these more traditional records of Arnold’s Valley, he will more centrally explore the cultural impressions of this distinct corner of Rockbridge, as it’s appeared to other people across the area, over time.
Part of that foundational “character” comes from Arnold’s Valley’s unique location, as the only part of Rockbridge County south of the James River, tucked in on the western slope of the Blue Ridge. According to RHS Executive Director Eric Wilson, “Many people assume that our county line fully ends at the James River: that familiar historic axis just a few miles below Natural Bridge, the other dominant natural feature that gave Rockbridge its name. Historian Bob Deans has rightly broadened the river’s historic, iconic impact in his recent book about the geology, ecology and social history of the James, ‘The River Where America Began.’ But more locally, the river’s current and commerce provided a vital connection between Glasgow’s Balcony Falls, and the key crossroads upstream in Buchanan, linking the area to Lynchburg to the East, as well as to towns to the North and South on the Great Valley Road and Turnpike.”
In 1778, Rockbridge County was carved out from parts of southern Augusta County, and northern Botetourt County. A small triangle of land below the James was also ceded to Rockbridge, extending across the river its straight-edged dividing line with Botetourt, and thus defining an offset area that would come to be known as Arnold’s Valley. Wilson continues, “This terrain had long been traversed by Big and Little Hellgate Creeks, running down from the Blue Ridge. It would be bridged to the northern traffic at Skidmore Ferry, established in 1800, and the more notable Greenlee Ferry (where Jefferson and his granddaughter passed on a vividly recorded 1817 trip from Bedford County’s Poplar Forest to visit his properties in Natural Bridge). As the county, region and state continued to grow, southern Rockbridge would become more efficiently connected to the East and West by the local completion of the James River and Kanawha Canal in 1851.”
From these early markers of geography, jurisdiction, and commerce, Beck will survey some of the grounding 19 th and 20 th century foundations of the area: its topography, natural resources, agriculture, industry, businesses, employers, schools, and churches: even as those grounding features haven’t always aligned with the area’s lively reputation. Over time, impressions about the “character” of Arnold’s Valley would also draw from its notable “characters,” whose lives memorably impacted their neighborhoods, and environs beyond. To further explore that play between local histories, stories, and lore, Beck will chronicle how the area’s reputation has been distinctly impacted by some of those colorful “characters” who lived and worked in Arnold’s Valley. Among those who left their mark on this enclave were Mary McDowell Greenlee, Francis Anderson, S.C. Burks, W. Paxton, James Gilmore, Miles Poindexter, and Martha Watkins, whose scrapbooks provided a key source for research. Many families such as the Austins, Campbells, Cashes, Coffeys, Hills, Johnsons, Lochers, Reynolds and Shafers all played their part, through the region’s ups and downs. Not all of the individuals and families who have contributed to Arnold’s Valley’s histories can be characterized within the scope of the program. But many current residents and descendants contributed directly to its background and materials, with their own stories, photographs, and tours.
Beck reflects, “This turn to Arnold’s Valley is a natural outgrowth of the program I shared a year and a half ago on Natural Bridge Station. It’s exciting to know when the community wants to hear more on any given topic. And it’s a good opportunity for the Rockbridge Historical Society to show our responsiveness to those interests. I’ve personally enjoyed the chance to keep discovering new leads, ledgers and archives. And I truly appreciate the personal connections that have come forth in our shared efforts to preserve and publicize these social, commercial, environmental and familial histories. I look forward to a lively Q&A following the slideshow. Come and be a part of it.”
Before the featured program, RHS will hold a brief annual business meeting, including biennial elections for five Officers. The Nominating Committee and RHS Board have approved the following slate of nominees, now to be voted on by the Membership at large. Those nominated to serve two year-terms as RHS Officers are: President, Mary Harvey-Halseth; Vice President, Harper Donahoe; Vice President for Property, Peter Simpson; Treasurer, Greg Frederick; Secretary, Paul Barron (2 nd Term).
After the slate is put forth to the Membership, other nominations for office are welcome from the floor. Contributing Members who have joined, renewed, or donated to RHS in 2018 are eligible to vote and encouraged to share their voice and investments in the Society’s future leadership. Contact RHS@RockbridgeHistory.org with any questions, or to inquire on your Memberships status.