035-0412

Greater Newport Rural Historic District

VLR Listing Date

03/15/2000

NRHP Listing Date

12/14/2000

NRHP Reference Number

00000489

The Greater Newport Rural Historic District in Giles County includes 21,000 acres of land defined by mountain ridges and beautiful valley tributaries of the New River. First settled in the late 1700s, the district during the 19th century produced agricultural goods supplemented by mid-century artisan manufacturing in the village of Newport and the establishment of a resort at Mountain Lake. After Union General George Crook’s march through the district following the Civil War Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain in May 1864, the district recovered to sustain commercial centers at Goodwins Ferry on the New River and in Newport. The Dowdy Iron Furnace operated in Sinking Creek east of Newport in the 1870s. 20th century developments featured Depression-era improvements at the resort at Mountain Lake, construction of the University of Virginia Mountain Lake Biological Station, and establishment of the Newport Agricultural Fair. Though subject to recent residential construction for commuters to Virginia Tech and other places of employment along the New River, the Greater Newport Rural Historic District largely retains its rural character and integrity of setting.

Last Updated: April 20, 2024

Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.

Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark

For additional information Read

Nomination Form

035-0018

Doe Creek Farm

Giles (County)

266-0021

Narrows Commercial Historic District

Giles (County)

035-0420

Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church

Giles (County)