By Skye Marthaler – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30826716
Nestled in Wythe County, Virginia, Fort Chiswell is a charming census-designated place with a rich history. According to the 2010 census, it is home to 939 residents. But this small community holds a significant past that dates back to the colonial era.
Fort Chiswell’s name comes from a frontier fort built in 1758, during the French and Indian War. This fort played a crucial role during the American Revolution, serving as a guardpost for a small lead deposit used for bullet-making. Strategically located at the junction of the Great Trading Path and the Richmond Road, near the New River, it was a key military site.
However, by the late 18th century, Fort Chiswell fell into disrepair as Wytheville, located 12 miles west, became the new county seat and courthouse. The fort and its surrounding buildings were eventually covered over during the construction of I-77 in the 1970s. Today, a sandstone pyramid-shaped historical marker stands about 200 yards west-northwest of the fort’s original location, near the old chicken house, commemorating its historical significance.
Fort Chiswell is also home to several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Fort Chiswell Site, The Mansion at Fort Chiswell, and the McGavock Family Cemetery. Each of these landmarks offers a glimpse into the rich heritage and enduring legacy of this quaint Virginia community.