Snowville, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Snowville is a census-designated place
(CDP) in southeastern Pulaski County, Virginia
, United States
. The Greater Hiwassee-Snowville population (i.e. ZIP code
24347) was 1,865 at the 2000 census
. The population of Snowville itself, as of the 2010 Census
, was 149. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
on the west side and Montgomery County
on the east. Snowville lies within the Blue Ridge Mountains
, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range
, with High Knoll Mountain and Bench Mountain marking the southern extent of the community. It is bounded to the north by Claytor Lake
.
Snowville and Pulaski County are located in a temperate climatic zone, with average winter temperatures in the 30s and 40s (degrees Fahrenheit) and summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Average winter snowfall amounts range from 12 to 24 in (30.5 to 61 ). During spring, flash flood
ing can occur with runoff from nearby mountains, and during fall tropical storms can bring heavy amounts of rainfall and damaging winds, such as during Hurricane Hugo
in 1989. Research has been undertaken at Virginia Tech and at the National Weather Service
office in Blacksburg
to examine the potential for flash flooding along creeks, streams, and rivers in Pulaski County using geographic information system
s (GIS) and field methods. Extreme heat and drought are rare, but have occurred, as have very cold temperatures below 0° Fahrenheit.
in the West Indies. The storm brought wind gusts of 44 mph to San Juan, Puerto Rico
as it moved northwestward. By August 6th it began a turn to the north while producing rough seas in the southeastern Bahamas. Four days later on August 10th the S.S. Maine off the southeast coast measured hurricane-force winds and the storm began movement again toward the northwest. The storm made landfall as a category 1 hurricane on August 11th at approximately 4 PM near Beaufort, South Carolina
(along the SC/GA border). Winds reached 73 mph in nearby Savannah, Georgia
.
As the Georgia-South Carolina hurricane of 1940
moved inland, record rainfall amounts were observed from South Carolina
north through the Smoky Mountains and into southwest and central Virginia
. The storm meandered along the Cumberland Plateau
region as rain began falling in Virginia
on August 13th. The mountainous terrain coupled with extremely slow movement from the now tropical depression produced copious amounts of rain. Copper Hill in Floyd County, Virginia
received the highest rainfall in the state: 17.03”.
The United States Geological Survey
(USGS) stream gauge located at the Graysontown-Snowville bridge along the Little River (see photo at right) measured an all-time record height of 16 feet 5 inches which is more than 15 higher than what is normally observed throughout the year. Downstream in Radford, Virginia
residents in low-lying areas were forced to evacuate their homes and both the former Burlington Mills and the Lynchburg Foundry manufacturing plants were shut down because of high water. The road leading from Radford into Pulaski County
towards Claytor Lake Dam was inundated and impassable. Thankfully, no deaths were reported across southwest Virginia
, but several million dollars worth of damage occurred (1940 USD).
On October 18, 2011 a sign recognizing the historic flooding was installed along the Little River at the Graysontown-Snowville bridge. The sign was donated by local resident Anthony Phillips, a hydrometeorologist from Snowville, Virginia
and installation was sponsored by the National Weather Service
and the United States Geological Survey
through the High Water Mark (HWM) Project . The project helps raise awareness of flood risk by installing high water mark signs in prominent locations within communities that have experienced severe flooding.
More recently in 2004, the remnants of Hurricane Jeanne
produced flooding when the Little River reached a height of 11 feet 4 inches, the ninth-highest crest of all time.
, thus no demographics
exist exclusively for the community. The following demographics are for Hiwassee, Virginia, which includes Snowville, hereafter in the demographics section referred to as "the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community" or simply "the community".
According to the United States Census Bureau
there were 1,865 people, 757 occupied households, and 576 families residing in the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community in 2000. The racial makeup of the community was 97.4% White, 1.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population in 2000.
Of the 1,865 residents in the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community, 18.7% were under the age of 15, while 4.6% were between 15 and 19, 4.7% between 20 and 24, 12.5% between 25 and 34, 15.6% between 35 and 44, 16.2% between 45 and 54, 7.0% between 55 and 59, and 19.8% of the population was older than 59 years. The median age was 40.4 years. There were slightly fewer females than males in 2000, 50.3% were males while 49.7% were females.
The median income for a household in the community was $32,950, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $30,068 versus $24,500 for females. The per capita income
for the community was $15,812. 9.4% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line.
The mean travel time to work was approximately 29.9 minutes with 84.3% of the population commuting alone to work, 12.7% carpooling, and approximately 3.0% walking. 53.3% of residents indicated they were employed in the labor force while 1.7% claimed unemployment
status; 45.1% of residents were not in the labor force
in 2000. 87.0% of those working were employed by the private sector
, while 11.4% worked for the government, 0.8% were self-employed, and 0.8% were unpaid family workers.
at one time.
Early in the 19th century a cabinet maker by the name of Asiel Snow moved from Massachusetts
to what is now Christiansburg, Virginia
. Shortly thereafter, a customer, who resided in what was later to be called Snowville, ordered a cabinet and Snow was charged with delivering it. On his journey through the area, Snow noticed the potential for water power present along the Little River and envisioned a town along its banks. It wasn't long after, in 1833, that he moved his entire family to what would later become Snowville, which bore his name.
On August 13, 1850, the community was designated The Foundry and formally became a small town. Three months later, on November 18, 1850, it was re-named Humility. It wasn't until March 31, 1854 that the town was given the name Snowville after Asiel Snow.
In addition to Snow's family, several of his friends and their families also settled the area, including the Slenkers, the Bullards, and the Bills. Additionally, families from nearby areas also made the town their home; they included the Amens, Millers, Palmers, Godbys, Winstons, Graysons, Bishops, and Abels. Several of these families have relatives residing near Snowville today. Across the Little River and just downstream on the Montgomery County
side, the Graysons established Graysontown. These families had various backgrounds and skills. The Slenkers were skilled in the textile
s; the Bills were merchant
s and promoters; the Snows, Palmers, Godbys, and Winstons were millwright
s and carpenters
; and the Bullardas were tanners
and shoemakers
. This variety of skilled artisans, coupled with the town's location, was the cornerstone for future development and allowed Snowville to become an established and prosperous town.
of Little Laurel and Big Laurel creeks (near present-day Blue Ridge Mountains Council
property) and was operated by Asiel Snow and his son-in-law, David B. Bill. Cast
and wrought iron
products were transported to Snowville by wagons and oxen carts. The cast iron was collected as scrap and later made into stoves, kettles, corn shellers, cane mills, and many more other cast-iron products. The wrought iron on the other hand was quickly produced into horseshoes and horseshoe nails, buckboard
s and buggies
, and hearse
s; it was also used in forgings for sawmill
s, gristmill
s, and cane mills.
Several years later the trip-hammer forge was moved to Snowville with a three-story adjacent building. The first floor housed machinery for the production of linseed oil
which was made from flax seed found nearby. The second floor was used for sawing trees that had been transported from the nearby mountains. The lumber was used in for new buildings and factories. Finally, on the third floor, there was mill which took wool and converted it into men's jeans and dresses for women.
An important woolen mill was started by the Messrs just before the start of the Civil War
. However, with tensions rising between the North and the South, the mill went unfinished; Isaac Slenker completed the three-story mill just after the close of the war. The mill brought radical change to Snowville's social life. People from near and far brought their wool to Snowville to be converted into jeans, blankets, and woolen carpets. This interaction between residents and those from other areas brought Snowville into a wider contact with the outside world.
On the west end of the town, a tannery was operated by W. S. Bullard. Tanning
is the process of making leather
, which does not easily decompose, from the skins of animals, which do. Visitors and residents today can still see the large open pits where the leather was tanned along Route 693 and the "bottom lands."
Another factory was the big shoe factory located along the Little River. Known as the Red Barn (due to the building's color), this shoe factory was one of the greatest manufacturing plants of its day in southwestern Virginia. The shoes were distributed across Virginia
and the Mid-Atlantic states
, and one might even ask any old-time Virginian, "Who has not worn those good, honest boots and shoes made at Snowville?"
Various other factories and shops existed over the years. During the Civil War, swords and Bowie knives
were made in Snowville for the Confederate Army and delivered to Christiansburg
where they were shipped out. Joe Craft operated a barrel factory which produced whiskey barrels and flour containers, as well as wooden washtubs. There are records of eggs being brought from the surrounding countryside to Snowville, where they were sold for merchandise, then packed into barrels with wood shavings and sawdust, and finally sent to large cities. In another building, bird feathers and down feather
s were made into pillows and feather beds.
Moonshining and the illicit distilling of liquor has occurred in Snowville since its earliest beginnings. Two known stills were in operation near Snowville during the middle of the 19th century. One was operated by Benjamin Ridpath, the other by Joseph Covey. A third known still was located in Montgomery County outside of Snowville and was operated by Crockett Meredith, but had little effect on the community. During the middle and late 20th century, a large still operation was present near Buck Hollow Ridge and Big Laurel Creek. It was operated by Walter Grubb, along with the help of Staunt Phillips who transported the alcohol by way of a super-charged automobile. Although rare today, the art and science of distilling spirits in the mountains is rumored to still be present (see External Links section).
by a post rider on horseback or by mule. Records from the Post Office Department in Washington
indicate the first post office was established on August 13, 1950. The following are the postmasters, their appointment dates, and the town's name at the time:
Currently, residents in Snowville receive their mail through the Hiwassee post office, since the Snowville office closed in the latter half of the 20th century.
, for the first time, to announce Miss Snow's death. When tolling was a practice, a death would be announced by the tapping of the bell three times by an attachment especially made for that purpose; this was then followed by individual strokes, one for each year of life, to indicate the age of the deceased. The Snowville bell was famous for its unusual toll, which could be heard 7 miles (11.3 km) east in the town of Auburn.
Snowville has long been regarded as the Jerusalem of the Southwest in reference to its ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
. It has long been regarded as the center of the denomination's movement in Virginia and considered by some to be the seat of the only true, New Testament Christian Church. Dr. Chester Bullard, the brother-in-law to Asiel Snow, is credited for establishing several churches within the Disciples of Christ, both in Snowville and elsewhere. Dr. Bullard was raised in Montgomery County
and studied medicine under Dr. P. J. Chapman of Giles County, Virginia
.
A cemetery and a cave were both named for Dr. Bullard. He preferred above-ground burials rather than underground entombment and thus obtained a cave which lies along the Little River. Here he placed his son, a daughter, and two wives. Unverified reports claim that four bodies were later moved to Snowville Cemetery.
Several prominent ministers arose from the historic Snowville Church, including J. T. Showalter, J. T. Taylor, J. D. Honaker, W. S. Bullard, F. F. Bullard, W. H. Book, and Bernard Smith.
Historical records indicate several troubles between members and officials within the church. During the Civil War
the controversy was between Dr. Bullard and Cephus Shelburne and the issue of secession
and slavery
. Later, the debate was between J. R. Miller, J. T. Showalter, and W. S. Bullard over the use of organs
and other musical instruments in church worship. Today, organs and music originating from Snowville Christian Church can be heard for several miles.
The support for education was largely from private donations and subscriptions. Additionally, those students who were enrolled above the fourth grade paid $2.50 tuition per month.
Later, in 1884, the Pulaski County School Board appropriated funds and constructed a three-room schoolhouse. A four-year high school and seven-year elementary school was located at the west end of the town. Some additional classes were held in an old store building near Little River. For many years, students would travel from miles around to board and receive their education here. At one time, Snowville nearly had a junior college. Around 1922, however, because of a decrease in student enrollment, Snowville High School began offering only two years of education instead of four. Several years later, high school students were transported to Draper
to attend school there.
, Snowville began to see a decrease in production and an overall decline. The most prominent event that led to this decline was the establishment of the railroad which completely bypassed Snowville, running through Christiansburg
and Radford
. With this, residents began to leave the once-prosperous town to find work in the city.
also currently employs residents from the community, as do several other large manufacturing facilities in the NRV.
As previously stated, the Snowville Post Office closed in the latter half of the 20th century and residents now receive mail through the post office in Hiwassee.
Younger students (grades K-5) attend Snowville Elementary School, located along Route 693 just west of the old town. Middle school students are transported to Dublin
and attend Dublin Middle School, while high school students attend Pulaski County High School
, also located in Dublin. Students seeking higher education commonly enroll at New River Community College
, Radford University
, or Virginia Tech
.
Snowville is home to Camp Ottari, a Boy Scout
camp. Ottari, along with Camp Powhatan to the west, are part of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, which comprises over 16000 acres (64.7 km²) of mountain land.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in southeastern Pulaski County, Virginia
Pulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Greater Hiwassee-Snowville population (i.e. ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
24347) was 1,865 at the 2000 census
2000 Census
The following countries conducted a census of the general population in 2000:* Costa Rica, the ninth federal census, conducted at irregular intervals* Indonesia* United States, the 22nd decennial federal census...
. The population of Snowville itself, as of the 2010 Census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, was 149. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography and climate
Snowville is located at 37° 1' 57"N, 80° 33' 40"W (37.032500°, -80.561111°). The community lies along the Little River, which forms the boundary between Pulaski CountyPulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
on the west side and Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
on the east. Snowville lies within the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
, with High Knoll Mountain and Bench Mountain marking the southern extent of the community. It is bounded to the north by Claytor Lake
Claytor Lake
Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia, is a 4,500 acre , 21 mile long reservoir on the New River created for a hydroelectric project of Appalachian Power Company. It is named for W...
.
Snowville and Pulaski County are located in a temperate climatic zone, with average winter temperatures in the 30s and 40s (degrees Fahrenheit) and summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Average winter snowfall amounts range from 12 to 24 in (30.5 to 61 ). During spring, flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
ing can occur with runoff from nearby mountains, and during fall tropical storms can bring heavy amounts of rainfall and damaging winds, such as during Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo was a classical, destructive and rare Cape Verde-type hurricane which struck the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the USA mainland in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane during September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season...
in 1989. Research has been undertaken at Virginia Tech and at the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
office in Blacksburg
Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg is an incorporated town located in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 42,620 at the 2010 census. Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford are the three principal jurisdictions of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area which...
to examine the potential for flash flooding along creeks, streams, and rivers in Pulaski County using geographic information system
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
s (GIS) and field methods. Extreme heat and drought are rare, but have occurred, as have very cold temperatures below 0° Fahrenheit.
Weather and Climate History
The worst river flooding in Snowville's recorded history occurred on August 14, 1940 with the passage of a slow-moving tropical depression. The 1940 hurricane season produced eight storms, four of which were hurricanes. Around August 5th of that year, a tropical storm was detected along the northern Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
in the West Indies. The storm brought wind gusts of 44 mph to San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
as it moved northwestward. By August 6th it began a turn to the north while producing rough seas in the southeastern Bahamas. Four days later on August 10th the S.S. Maine off the southeast coast measured hurricane-force winds and the storm began movement again toward the northwest. The storm made landfall as a category 1 hurricane on August 11th at approximately 4 PM near Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
(along the SC/GA border). Winds reached 73 mph in nearby Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
.
As the Georgia-South Carolina hurricane of 1940
Georgia-South Carolina Hurricane of 1940
The Georgia – South Carolina Hurricane was a strong Category 1 hurricane that struck the Georgia and South Carolina coast between August 11 and August 12, 1940. After forming north of the Leeward Islands, the storm moved west-northwest, moving east of the Bahamas before resuming a west-northwest...
moved inland, record rainfall amounts were observed from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
north through the Smoky Mountains and into southwest and central Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The storm meandered along the Cumberland Plateau
Cumberland Plateau
The Cumberland Plateau is the southern part of the Appalachian Plateau. It includes much of eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia, part of Tennessee, and a small portion of northern Alabama and northwest Georgia . The terms "Allegheny Plateau" and the "Cumberland Plateau" both refer to the...
region as rain began falling in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
on August 13th. The mountainous terrain coupled with extremely slow movement from the now tropical depression produced copious amounts of rain. Copper Hill in Floyd County, Virginia
Floyd County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,874 people, 5,791 households, and 4,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 6,763 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
received the highest rainfall in the state: 17.03”.
The United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) stream gauge located at the Graysontown-Snowville bridge along the Little River (see photo at right) measured an all-time record height of 16 feet 5 inches which is more than 15 higher than what is normally observed throughout the year. Downstream in Radford, Virginia
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
residents in low-lying areas were forced to evacuate their homes and both the former Burlington Mills and the Lynchburg Foundry manufacturing plants were shut down because of high water. The road leading from Radford into Pulaski County
Pulaski County
Pulaski County is the name of several counties in the United States:* Pulaski County, Arkansas* Pulaski County, Georgia* Pulaski County, Illinois* Pulaski County, Indiana* Pulaski County, Kentucky* Pulaski County, Missouri* Pulaski County, Virginia...
towards Claytor Lake Dam was inundated and impassable. Thankfully, no deaths were reported across southwest Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, but several million dollars worth of damage occurred (1940 USD).
On October 18, 2011 a sign recognizing the historic flooding was installed along the Little River at the Graysontown-Snowville bridge. The sign was donated by local resident Anthony Phillips, a hydrometeorologist from Snowville, Virginia
Snowville, Virginia
Snowville is a census-designated place in southeastern Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. The Greater Hiwassee-Snowville population was 1,865 at the 2000 census. The population of Snowville itself, as of the 2010 Census, was 149...
and installation was sponsored by the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
and the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
through the High Water Mark (HWM) Project . The project helps raise awareness of flood risk by installing high water mark signs in prominent locations within communities that have experienced severe flooding.
More recently in 2004, the remnants of Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne was the deadliest hurricane in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the season, as well as the third hurricane and fourth named storm of the season to make landfall in Florida...
produced flooding when the Little River reached a height of 11 feet 4 inches, the ninth-highest crest of all time.
Demographics
Snowville currently does not have a post office and subsequently a zip codeZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
, thus no demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
exist exclusively for the community. The following demographics are for Hiwassee, Virginia, which includes Snowville, hereafter in the demographics section referred to as "the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community" or simply "the community".
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
there were 1,865 people, 757 occupied households, and 576 families residing in the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community in 2000. The racial makeup of the community was 97.4% White, 1.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population in 2000.
Of the 1,865 residents in the Greater Hiwassee-Snowville community, 18.7% were under the age of 15, while 4.6% were between 15 and 19, 4.7% between 20 and 24, 12.5% between 25 and 34, 15.6% between 35 and 44, 16.2% between 45 and 54, 7.0% between 55 and 59, and 19.8% of the population was older than 59 years. The median age was 40.4 years. There were slightly fewer females than males in 2000, 50.3% were males while 49.7% were females.
The median income for a household in the community was $32,950, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $30,068 versus $24,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the community was $15,812. 9.4% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line.
The mean travel time to work was approximately 29.9 minutes with 84.3% of the population commuting alone to work, 12.7% carpooling, and approximately 3.0% walking. 53.3% of residents indicated they were employed in the labor force while 1.7% claimed unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
status; 45.1% of residents were not in the labor force
Labor force
In economics, a labor force or labour force is a region's combined civilian workforce, including both the employed and unemployed.Normally, the labor force of a country consists of everyone of working age In economics, a labor force or labour force is a region's combined civilian workforce,...
in 2000. 87.0% of those working were employed by the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
, while 11.4% worked for the government, 0.8% were self-employed, and 0.8% were unpaid family workers.
Founding of Snowville
Today, Snowville is a sleepy little community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains; however, decades and even centuries before, it was a prosperous and well-known town, even eclipsing RoanokeRoanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
at one time.
Early in the 19th century a cabinet maker by the name of Asiel Snow moved from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to what is now Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
. Shortly thereafter, a customer, who resided in what was later to be called Snowville, ordered a cabinet and Snow was charged with delivering it. On his journey through the area, Snow noticed the potential for water power present along the Little River and envisioned a town along its banks. It wasn't long after, in 1833, that he moved his entire family to what would later become Snowville, which bore his name.
On August 13, 1850, the community was designated The Foundry and formally became a small town. Three months later, on November 18, 1850, it was re-named Humility. It wasn't until March 31, 1854 that the town was given the name Snowville after Asiel Snow.
In addition to Snow's family, several of his friends and their families also settled the area, including the Slenkers, the Bullards, and the Bills. Additionally, families from nearby areas also made the town their home; they included the Amens, Millers, Palmers, Godbys, Winstons, Graysons, Bishops, and Abels. Several of these families have relatives residing near Snowville today. Across the Little River and just downstream on the Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
side, the Graysons established Graysontown. These families had various backgrounds and skills. The Slenkers were skilled in the textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s; the Bills were merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
s and promoters; the Snows, Palmers, Godbys, and Winstons were millwright
Millwright
A millwright is a craftsman or tradesman engaged with the construction and maintenance of machinery.Early millwrights were specialist carpenters who erected machines used in agriculture, food processing and processing lumber and paper...
s and carpenters
Carpentry
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
; and the Bullardas were tanners
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
and shoemakers
Shoemaking
Shoemaking is the process of making footwear. Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand. Traditional handicraft shoemaking has now been largely superseded in volume of shoes produced by industrial mass production of footwear, but not necessarily in quality, attention to detail, or...
. This variety of skilled artisans, coupled with the town's location, was the cornerstone for future development and allowed Snowville to become an established and prosperous town.
Industry and commerce
The mountains surrounding Snowville were, and in many places still are, rich with iron ore. One of the first factories established in Snowville was a trip-hammer forge. It was located at the confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of Little Laurel and Big Laurel creeks (near present-day Blue Ridge Mountains Council
Blue Ridge Mountains Council
The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is a Boy Scouts of America council located in Roanoke, Virginia that serves Scouts in southwest and south central Virginia. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council owns and operates the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Pulaski County, Virginia...
property) and was operated by Asiel Snow and his son-in-law, David B. Bill. Cast
Cast iron
Cast iron is derived from pig iron, and while it usually refers to gray iron, it also identifies a large group of ferrous alloys which solidify with a eutectic. The color of a fractured surface can be used to identify an alloy. White cast iron is named after its white surface when fractured, due...
and wrought iron
Wrought iron
thumb|The [[Eiffel tower]] is constructed from [[puddle iron]], a form of wrought ironWrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon...
products were transported to Snowville by wagons and oxen carts. The cast iron was collected as scrap and later made into stoves, kettles, corn shellers, cane mills, and many more other cast-iron products. The wrought iron on the other hand was quickly produced into horseshoes and horseshoe nails, buckboard
Buckboard
A buckboard is a four-wheeled wagon of simple construction meant to be drawn by a horse or other large animal. The "buckboard" is the front-most board on the wagon that could act as both a footrest for the driver and protection for the driver from the horse's rear hooves in case of a "buck". The...
s and buggies
Horse and buggy
A horse and buggy or horse and carriage refers to a light, simple, two-person carriage of the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn usually by one or sometimes by two horses...
, and hearse
Hearse
A hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
s; it was also used in forgings for sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s, gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s, and cane mills.
Several years later the trip-hammer forge was moved to Snowville with a three-story adjacent building. The first floor housed machinery for the production of linseed oil
Linseed oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is a clear to yellowish oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant . The oil is obtained by cold pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction...
which was made from flax seed found nearby. The second floor was used for sawing trees that had been transported from the nearby mountains. The lumber was used in for new buildings and factories. Finally, on the third floor, there was mill which took wool and converted it into men's jeans and dresses for women.
An important woolen mill was started by the Messrs just before the start of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. However, with tensions rising between the North and the South, the mill went unfinished; Isaac Slenker completed the three-story mill just after the close of the war. The mill brought radical change to Snowville's social life. People from near and far brought their wool to Snowville to be converted into jeans, blankets, and woolen carpets. This interaction between residents and those from other areas brought Snowville into a wider contact with the outside world.
On the west end of the town, a tannery was operated by W. S. Bullard. Tanning
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
is the process of making leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
, which does not easily decompose, from the skins of animals, which do. Visitors and residents today can still see the large open pits where the leather was tanned along Route 693 and the "bottom lands."
Another factory was the big shoe factory located along the Little River. Known as the Red Barn (due to the building's color), this shoe factory was one of the greatest manufacturing plants of its day in southwestern Virginia. The shoes were distributed across Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and the Mid-Atlantic states
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
, and one might even ask any old-time Virginian, "Who has not worn those good, honest boots and shoes made at Snowville?"
Various other factories and shops existed over the years. During the Civil War, swords and Bowie knives
Bowie knife
A Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife first popularized by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie in the early 19th Century. Since the first incarnation was created by James Black, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although its...
were made in Snowville for the Confederate Army and delivered to Christiansburg
Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
where they were shipped out. Joe Craft operated a barrel factory which produced whiskey barrels and flour containers, as well as wooden washtubs. There are records of eggs being brought from the surrounding countryside to Snowville, where they were sold for merchandise, then packed into barrels with wood shavings and sawdust, and finally sent to large cities. In another building, bird feathers and down feather
Down feather
The down of birds is a layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. Very young birds are clad only in down. Powder down is a specialized type of down found only in a few groups of birds. Down is a fine thermal insulator and padding, used in goods such as jackets, bedding,...
s were made into pillows and feather beds.
Moonshining and the illicit distilling of liquor has occurred in Snowville since its earliest beginnings. Two known stills were in operation near Snowville during the middle of the 19th century. One was operated by Benjamin Ridpath, the other by Joseph Covey. A third known still was located in Montgomery County outside of Snowville and was operated by Crockett Meredith, but had little effect on the community. During the middle and late 20th century, a large still operation was present near Buck Hollow Ridge and Big Laurel Creek. It was operated by Walter Grubb, along with the help of Staunt Phillips who transported the alcohol by way of a super-charged automobile. Although rare today, the art and science of distilling spirits in the mountains is rumored to still be present (see External Links section).
Postal service
Postal mail was not delivered daily in Snowville's early years; it usually came once, and occasionally, twice a week. It arrived from ChristiansburgChristiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
by a post rider on horseback or by mule. Records from the Post Office Department in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
indicate the first post office was established on August 13, 1950. The following are the postmasters, their appointment dates, and the town's name at the time:
| Postmaster | Appointment Date | Township |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Bullard | August 13, 1850 | The Foundry |
| Reuben J. Ruke | March 11, 1852 | Humility |
| Chester Bullard | March 25, 1854 | Humility |
| Stillman B. Snow | March 31, 1854 | Snowville |
| John Carmical | December 31, 1857 | Snowville |
| William T. Shelor | November 4, 1858 | Snowville |
| Joseph H. Winston | January 29, 1866 | Snowville |
| William H. Smith | May 27, 1872 | Snowville |
| Joseph H. Covey | May 3, 1881 | Snowville |
| Joseph H. Winston | September 25, 1883 | Snowville |
| James W. Bocock | July 20, 1885 | Snowville |
| David J. Showalter | June 10, 1889 | Snowville |
| William Showalter | October 28, 1890 | Snowville |
| Clifton E. Elmore | October 27, 1893 | Snowville |
| Genetho S. Hall | July 6, 1897 | Snowville |
| Thomas H. Elmore | April 4, 1914 | Snowville |
| Lonnie C. Elmore | October 1, 1949 | Snowville |
| Miss Martha J. Bill | May 16, 1950 | Snowville |
Currently, residents in Snowville receive their mail through the Hiwassee post office, since the Snowville office closed in the latter half of the 20th century.
Religion
In 1870, the first formal church organization and structure was established in Snowville under the leadership of Asiel Snow. Known as Snowville Christian Church, the building had a large balcony for African Americans. The large bell was donated by Miss Mary Snow just prior to her death. It tolledFuneral toll
Church bells are sometimes rung slowly ' when a person dies or at funeral services.Church bells are rung in three basic ways: normal ringing, chiming, or tolling...
, for the first time, to announce Miss Snow's death. When tolling was a practice, a death would be announced by the tapping of the bell three times by an attachment especially made for that purpose; this was then followed by individual strokes, one for each year of life, to indicate the age of the deceased. The Snowville bell was famous for its unusual toll, which could be heard 7 miles (11.3 km) east in the town of Auburn.
Snowville has long been regarded as the Jerusalem of the Southwest in reference to its ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
. It has long been regarded as the center of the denomination's movement in Virginia and considered by some to be the seat of the only true, New Testament Christian Church. Dr. Chester Bullard, the brother-in-law to Asiel Snow, is credited for establishing several churches within the Disciples of Christ, both in Snowville and elsewhere. Dr. Bullard was raised in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
and studied medicine under Dr. P. J. Chapman of Giles County, Virginia
Giles County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,657 people, 6,994 households, and 4,888 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 7,732 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
.
A cemetery and a cave were both named for Dr. Bullard. He preferred above-ground burials rather than underground entombment and thus obtained a cave which lies along the Little River. Here he placed his son, a daughter, and two wives. Unverified reports claim that four bodies were later moved to Snowville Cemetery.
Several prominent ministers arose from the historic Snowville Church, including J. T. Showalter, J. T. Taylor, J. D. Honaker, W. S. Bullard, F. F. Bullard, W. H. Book, and Bernard Smith.
Historical records indicate several troubles between members and officials within the church. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
the controversy was between Dr. Bullard and Cephus Shelburne and the issue of secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
and slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
. Later, the debate was between J. R. Miller, J. T. Showalter, and W. S. Bullard over the use of organs
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and other musical instruments in church worship. Today, organs and music originating from Snowville Christian Church can be heard for several miles.
Early education
Education in Snowville first began in the form of private schools which were usually held in residents' homes. In 1858 the first public school was created and housed in a building originally constructed as a woolen mill. A few years later the school was moved to another building on a hillside behind main street.The support for education was largely from private donations and subscriptions. Additionally, those students who were enrolled above the fourth grade paid $2.50 tuition per month.
Later, in 1884, the Pulaski County School Board appropriated funds and constructed a three-room schoolhouse. A four-year high school and seven-year elementary school was located at the west end of the town. Some additional classes were held in an old store building near Little River. For many years, students would travel from miles around to board and receive their education here. At one time, Snowville nearly had a junior college. Around 1922, however, because of a decrease in student enrollment, Snowville High School began offering only two years of education instead of four. Several years later, high school students were transported to Draper
Draper, Virginia
Draper is a census-designated place in Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 320.-References:*...
to attend school there.
Other facts
- Each winter, residents enjoyed skating on the Little River once it froze. Today, the river rarely gets cold enough to freeze.
- The Library Association of Snowville, headed by Ed Howery, was one of the largest in the area around 1890.
- The Masonic Lodge No. 159 in Snowville was chartered on December 13, 1865 and is one of the oldest in the region. Their motto is "never say die."
- The first newspaper printed in Snowville was entitled The Virginia People. When the newspaper was discontinued, the machinery was moved to Christiansburg for use in printing the Montgomery Messenger.
- Snowville never had a saloon or bar, although at least two individuals petitioned for one. Alcohol was obtained from bootleggingRum-runningRum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
and illegal stills, some of which were operated by women living adjacent to Snowville.
- A regiment of soldiers numbering around 13,000 passed through Snowville during the Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, much to the excitement of residents. They took over a half day to pass through the town.
- Fox huntingFox huntingFox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
for sport was popular during the early history of Snowville.
Snowville's decline
Following the end of the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Snowville began to see a decrease in production and an overall decline. The most prominent event that led to this decline was the establishment of the railroad which completely bypassed Snowville, running through Christiansburg
Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
and Radford
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
. With this, residents began to leave the once-prosperous town to find work in the city.
Snowville today
Today, Snowville is a sleepy little community with things moving at a slower pace. This is important as residents enjoy a simpler way of life away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby towns. However, residents usually seek employment in neighboring locales, or operate one of the agricultural farms nearby. Until recently, many residents worked at the Radford Foundry which was owned and operated by INTERMET Corp. The manufacturing plant closed in late 2003 with the loss of over 370 jobs. The Radford Army Ammunition PlantRadford Army Ammunition Plant
The primary mission of Radford Army Ammunition Plant is to manufacture propellants and explosives in support of field artillery, air defense, tank, missile, aircraft and Navy weapons systems...
also currently employs residents from the community, as do several other large manufacturing facilities in the NRV.
As previously stated, the Snowville Post Office closed in the latter half of the 20th century and residents now receive mail through the post office in Hiwassee.
Younger students (grades K-5) attend Snowville Elementary School, located along Route 693 just west of the old town. Middle school students are transported to Dublin
Dublin, Virginia
Dublin is a town in Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,534 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and attend Dublin Middle School, while high school students attend Pulaski County High School
Pulaski County High School (Virginia)
Pulaski County High School is located at 5414 Cougar Trail Road in Dublin, Virginia about 45 miles southwest of Roanoke, Virginia. It is the sole public high school in Pulaski County, Virginia.-History:...
, also located in Dublin. Students seeking higher education commonly enroll at New River Community College
New River Community College
is a community college in Dublin, Virginia, United States, in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, one of 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System...
, Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
, or Virginia Tech
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
.
Snowville is home to Camp Ottari, a Boy Scout
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
camp. Ottari, along with Camp Powhatan to the west, are part of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, which comprises over 16000 acres (64.7 km²) of mountain land.