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 Wilderness Road
Scot-Irish and German settlers traveling down the Wilderness Trail entered Botetourt County northeast of present Buchanan, fording the James River at ferries located in the area. They were following the old Indian trails used for Located near the base of Purgatory Mountain at a bend in the James River was Looney's Ferry, the earliest known ferry crossing in the region. Established around 1742, the ferry license was granted to John Patton (for whom the town of Pattonsburg was named) as a crossing point on the James River of the Wilderness Trail. The Ferry was operated by Robert Looney, who lived nearby. Near this location was established Fort Fauquier (1758), earlier referred to as Looney's Fort, that was established to protect local residents from attacks by Shawnee Indians.
Historic Town of Fincastle
As one of the earliest settlements west of the Blue Ridge, the town of Fincastle was established as the county seat of the newly formed county of Botetourt in 1772. A log courthouse was erected (to be replaced later by a brick courthouse designed by Thomas Jefferson) and the streets were laid out (as they exist today). Documents signed by Lord Botetourt (royal governor of Virginia), George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry can be found in the courthouse. The town flourished as a center of government, business and industry during the late 1700s and 1800s. According to R.D. Stoner, author of Seedbed of the Republic: Early Botetourt, parading over the streets of Fincastle were "the militia
Historic Fincastle Wilderness Road Sites
Botetourt County Museum The Botetourt County Historical Museum is housed in a building that 1 West Main Street, Fincastle 540.473.8394
Botetourt County Courthouse In 1772, a log courthouse was erected (replaced later by a brick 1 Main Street, Fincastle 540.473.8272
Fincastle Library Genealogy Room The Genealogy Room in the Fincastle Branch of the Botetourt County Libraries is an excellent source for tracking one's roots. The collections include local family history books that date back to the 1700's, Virginia County books, cemetery information and books on Virginia history. 11 Academy Street, Fincastle 540.473.8339
Historic Fincastle Inc. is a non-profit group that offers guided tours of the quaint town of Fincastle. Many of the stops on the tour showcase the important role Fincastle had in westward migration. The town's Big Spring Park was one of the main watering holes at the cross roads of the Great Road and the Fincastle Turnpike. 20 West Main Street, Fincastle 540.473.3077
Fincastle Museum The James Matten Early Cabin was built between 1796 and 1798 of rough - hewn logs by the town tailor, James Matten Early and was completely restored by Historic Fincastle, Inc. Today it serves as the Fincastle Museum and is furnished with period antiques from Fincastle and Botetourt County. 5 East Murray Street, Fincastle 540.473.3077
Santillane Bed & Breakfast Santillane is on the National Register of Historic Places. A Marker on US 220 calls it "one of Botetourt County's distinguished properties". The Greek Revival house sits on a track of land originally owned by Col. George Hancock. In 1808 Hancock's daughter, Judith, married explorer William Clark at Santillane. 99 Housman Street, Fincastle 540.473.3898
Town of Eagle Rock Located on the banks of the James River, Eagle Rock traces it history back to the mid-1800's. A lime-kiln existed in the area as early as 1847, but residents trace the official foundation of Eagle Rock to 1883.
Eagle Rock Wilderness Road Sites
Last Lock Park Just west of town an original canal face stone, donated by the Eagle Rock Garden Club, stands in a park by the James River as a monument to Lock 10, the last lock of the James River and Kanawha Canal system. Within the park a trio of kilns pay homage to the limestone history. Today, visitors can still see the railroad spur, which carried cars loaded with stone to the top of the kilns. 10 Railroad Ave, Eagle Rock Roaring Run Furnace Built sometime in the early 1800's Roaring Run Iron Furnace stands as a monument that reflects the national and statewide economics of the iron industry during the 19th century. Interpretive signs onsite provide visitors with an explanation of the usage of the furnace. 450 Roaring Run Road (SR 621), Eagle Rock
Malcolm Allen's homestead and family graveyard One of the first settlers of Botetourt County was Malcolm Allen, who in 1754, acquired land along the James, just west of present day Buchanan. Remains of the homestead and the family graveyard still stand and are commemorated with a roadside placard. Narrow Passage Road (Route 43), Eagle Rock
Town of Buchanan Near the main crossing point of the James River along the Wilderness Trail, the town of Buchanan was established on the south side of the river in 1811. On the north side of the river was the town of Pattonsburg, established in 1788. The Wilderness Road passed through the main street of both towns. Because of its location on the Wilderness Trail, running northeast to southwest (and its connection to the Carolina Road) and along the James River and Kanawha Canal running east to west, the town of Buchanan emerged as a center of commerce and trade in the region. Because of its location at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, at a point where the Alleghany Mountains to the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east almost converge, Buchanan is often referred to as "The Gateway to the Southwest".
Town of Buchanan Wilderness Road Sites
Town of Buchanan - Group Tours Downtown Buchanan contains the area's highest concentration of historic homes, stores and churches making up the area's largest, National Register Historic District. The Downtown Revitalization coordinator provides a free guides walking to visitors. 19753 Main Street, Buchanan
Additional Sites Looney's Ferry Historic Marker - Buchanan Carolina Road Historic Marker - Cloverdale Fort William Historic Marker - Fincastle Cartmill's Gap Historic Marker - Arcadia Greenfield Historic Marker - Fincastle
Virginia Department of Historic Resources - Highway Marker Website
 Additional ResoucesVisit the Wilderness Road – Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route website to see more information about the different communities that line the old route towards westward migration.
The new Crossroads to Settlement regional tourism promotion has been introduced by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and highlights historic sites in Botetourt County. The Crossroads to Settlement is a part of the Wilderness Road in which the Roanoke Valley is home to a portion of The Great
National Geographic's Visit Appalachia Website has an interactive list of driving routes.
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hunting and fighting.
companies on their way to Point Pleasant and to the Indian expeditions in the south and west and to the Revolutionary army battlefields.
dates back to the late eighteenth century and was the law office for local attorney James Breckinridge in 1791. Today the museum serves as a repository for hundreds of artifacts that interpret the history of Botetourt County and its roll in westward migration. 
courthouse designed by Thomas Jefferson) in the heart of Fincastle. Documents signed by Lord Botetourt (royal governor of Virginia), George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry along with countless genealogical records can be found in the courthouse today.
Wagon Road, as well as the Fincastle Turnpike and Carolina Road spurs. As you explore these areas, you’ll find charming towns, historic sites, interesting attractions and many historical markers.