ABOUT BIG STONE GAP

In the heart of Appalachia lies Big Stone Gap, the quintessential Southern town. Founded in 1856, Big Stone Gap, which boasts a population of roughly 5,700, allows residents and visitors the opportunity to step back into old Americana—when life was simpler and land was abundant.

During the 1870s, much was published about the mineral and timber resources of the Appalachian Mountains. General John Imboden focused on Three Forks as the location for industrial development, touting it as the new Pittsburgh of the south. The town, which was then called Mineral City, was incorporated as Big Stone Gap in 1882.

A number of developers flocked to Big Stone Gap, including the Fox family. John Fox Jr. wrote about his experiences in The Gap and the surrounding region in his 12 novels and 45 short stories. He became the most popular American novelist of his time and immortalized Big Stone Gap in his 1908 novel, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. A theatrical production of the book, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, has taken place in Big Stone Gap since 1964. It is the longest continually running outdoor drama in Virginia.

Today, Big Stone Gap is best known for hometown author Adriana Trigiani’s series of novels, Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, and Milk Glass Moon. In 2013, Trigiani brought our incredible town to the big screen with the filming of Big Stone Gap, the movie. The movie was filmed totally on location, premiered at the 2014 Virginia Film Festival and opened in theaters Oct. 9, 2015.

In addition to the two best-selling authors, the town produced C. Bascom Slemp, private secretary to President Calvin Coolidge; Abner Linwood Holton Jr., a Virginia governor; Leanza Cornett, the 1993 Miss America; and Thomas and Julius Jones, a pair of NFL running backs. Numerous artisans and musicians, a Grammy-winning recording studio, and many others who have contributed to our state, nation, and world have called Big Stone Gap home!

Big Stone Gap’s Historic District contains several architecturally significant buildings. The Slemp Federal Building, June Tolliver House, Christ Episcopal Church, John Fox House, SWVA Museum, Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin, and Tri-State Coach Bus Terminal are all Federal and/or State listed historic structures. Very few communities have such a number of historic edifices within easy walking distance of one another!

The Gallery below provides a look back into the past of Big Stone Gap.

GALLERY

Wood Ave

Inside the old Mutual Pharmacy Cafeteria. Now the site of Curklin’s

Lonesome Pine Motor Company, located on corner of E Fifth St. and Shawnee Ave

Constructed in the 1940’s. Used to pick up young men to fight in WWII. Big Stone Gap Bus Terminal. Still stands today.

Formerly know as the “Clubhouse”, not the location of the Meador Coal Museum

The Big Stone Gap Band If you look closely you will notice that the band is composed not only of Big Stone Gap High School students but also students from Appalachia and East Stone Gap High Schools.

Snow at the old school.

The Big Stone Gap School. The “Dummy Line” is also visible in the foreground.

The Big Stone Theater is show in the foreground. This theater originally opened in 1912 and was called the AMAZU (amaze you) Theater.

Hotel Monte Vista Located at the corner of Wood Avenue and East Fifth Street, the present site of Miner’s Park.

The highway between Big Stone Gap and East Stone Gap at the area known as the “blue hole.” Date unknown. Taken from original hand colored photograph. Still a great fishing place today.

U.S. Post Office and Federal Building

Powell Valley High School. Home of the State Champion Viking!

Bullitt Park

Big Stone Gap Taken from Wallens Ridge in the early 1900’s. Taken from original hand colored photograph.

Wood Avenue, East End Note the railroad track. This was known as the “Dummy Line” and was used to provide transportation from the railroad station to the downtown area.

Carl’s Hardware and Sporting Goods And Carmine’s Restaurant. Carmine’s was well known for their good food and was a popular “hang-out” for young and old alike from Big Stone Gap and the surrounding communities. This building was destroyed by fire on June 16, 2000.

Wood Ave

Wood Avenue Taken from east end of town looking west.

Appalachia Depot

Southern Depot in Big Stone Gap

East Stone Gap School The high school grades (8-12) moved to Powell Valley High School in 1959. Grades 1-7 remained at East Stone Gap School until in burned during Christmas vacation in 1968