Radford

By John W. Barksdale

Radford, Virginia, is a city with a remarkable history. Native Americans settled the area long before Europeans moved into the region in the mid-18th century. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad created a line in 1854 that linked Lynchburg with Bristol. Central Depot, which later became Radford, was a midway point on that rail line. Radford was established as a city in 1892, and two Virginia governors, James H. Tyler and John N. Dalton, have claimed Radford as their home. Radford Normal School, an institute for teacher training, was established in 1913 and has grown to become Radford University. Glencoe Museum, the Radford Heritage Foundation, and the citizens of Radford have all contributed to this collection of photographs. Images of America: Radford is a tribute to the rich and interesting stories of the city's past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Sep 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781439633717

John W. Barksdale

Author John W. Barksdale has had a lifelong interest in history and is a second-generation graduate of Radford University. Barksdale is the grandson of Robert and Mary St. Clair, who were residents of Radford from the early 1930s through the 1970s. The author is an instructor at National College in Salem and a member of the Radford Heritage Foundation�s board of directors.

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INTRODUCTION

Long before the coming of European immigrants, humans inhabited the area that now encompasses the city of Radford. In 1974, archeologists and local volunteers found the remains of a Native American settlement that dates back to the early 17th century. This archeological dig on the Trigg Site confirmed that the fertile river bottomland in the area now known as Bisset Park was home to a group of Native Americans.

Early development of the Radford area was related to the establishment of the Wilderness Road, a frontier trail that was the main route used by settlers to reach areas in Tennessee and Kentucky during the latter period of the 18th century. Most explorers and settlers using this path were on foot or horseback. The Wilderness Road crossed the New River in what is now Radford. In 1762, the Ingles family established Ingles Ferry, which enabled travelers on the Wilderness Road to cross the New River. William Ingles and Mary Draper Ingles were among the first European settlers in southwest Virginia. Before the establishment of Ingles Ferry, Mary Draper Ingles was held captive by a group of Shawnee Indians in 1755. She was taken to Chillicothe, a tribal settlement on the Scioto River in Ohio. Ingles eventually escaped from captivity and was able to follow the Ohio and New Rivers back to the area.

The Wilderness Road was gradually improved over time and, by the dawn of the 19th century, was known as the Stagecoach Road. Rock Road, which runs along the south side of Radford, is actually a part of the old Stagecoach Road. In 1796, John Heavin established Lovely Mount Tavern, an inn for travelers just a few miles east of Ingles Ferry near the crossing of Connolly’s Run on the Stagecoach Road. Gradually, a small community was established in the area then known as Lovely Mount, complete with a church and post office.

Dr. John Blair Radford moved to Lovely Mount in 1836 and started a medical practice. He was one of the few practicing physicians in the area during this period. Dr. Radford had his home built on a hillside overlooking the river. Completed around 1838, his new home was dubbed Arnheim, which means home of the eagle in German and is in reference to its spectacular view of the New River. It is unknown exactly why the city was named after Dr. Radford. Townspeople began referring to the area as Radford a few years after his death in 1872. Perhaps the naming of the city was a result of this early settler’s generosity as a doctor and evenhandedness as a businessman.

In 1854, the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad established a depot near Lovely Mount. The location was called Central because it sat halfway between Lynchburg and Bristol. The establishment of Central Depot had a major effect on development and the eventual establishment of the city of Radford. The coming of the railroad enabled other industries to be launched nearby such as a foundry, quarry, brickworks, knitting mill, and lumberyard.

The city of Radford was officially incorporated on January 22, 1892, and chartered with a mayor-council structure of government. Connolly’s Run separated the city into east and west ends; an informal rivalry between the two areas ensued and still exists to some extent today. The east end was primarily a rail and commercial center with railroad shops, a roundhouse, a switching yard, and a depot, while the west end was more focused on industry. Other significant events that took place in 1892 were the opening of the Wagon Bridge across the New River and the establishment of St. Albans School for Boys at the head of the new bridge on a hill in North Radford (now Fairlawn). The Radford Pipe Works (the foundry) also began production in 1892.

The 1890s began as a prosperous time for Radford; however, a nationwide depression that hit in 1894 slowed the city’s growth considerably. Several other catastrophic events took place during the last decade of the 19th century. On March 16, 1893, the Radford Inn caught fire and a bridge over Connolly’s Run collapsed at about the same time, wreaking havoc. A devastating fire destroyed most of the businesses on the south side of the east end business district on Christmas Eve 1896. Then, on May 31, 1897, an earthquake originating in Giles County shook all of southwest Virginia including Radford. Reports from Radford stated that