Page 7 - High Knob Master Plan

GATEWAY COMMUNITY PROFILES
Town of Appalachia
Appalachia, located in Wise County, was a coal and coke boomtown in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Situated between eight coal camps, the town and surrounding area presents an opportunity to interpret the rich coal heritage of the region. The coal camps were often like small towns themselves, with running water, electricity, schools, houses, and shops. Many of these nearby camps, such as Derby, Andover, and Stonega, remain intact, along with much of the coal mining equipment. The trailhead of the scenic Powell River Trail, a rails-to-trails project, is also proximate to Appalachia. The Appalachian Cultural Arts Center is centered in downtown.
Town of Big Stone Gap
Once touted as the “Pittsburgh of the South” for its untapped reserves of iron and coal, Big Stone Gap in Wise County grew quickly after its incorporation in 1882, as developers rushed to take advantage of the rich natural resources of the region. Today, a range of cultural attractions celebrating the town’s resource-rich past draws visitors to the town. One of the biggest local draws is the outdoor play, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, which has been performed every summer since 1964. Adapted from the 1908 novel written by Big Stone Gap resident John Fox, Jr., it is the longest continually running outdoor drama in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is now the official Outdoor Drama of Virginia. The town boasts numerous museums, including the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, Meador Coal Museum, June Tolliver House, and the Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Museum. Native Adriana Trigiani continues the literary tradition about Big Stone Gap
in her best-selling novels.
HIGH KNOB REGIONAL INITIATIVE
Town of Clinchport
The town of Clinchport, located in Scott County, is named for its location on the Clinch River. Like Duffield, Natural Tunnel State Park is a major area attraction, with the town located only five miles away. Clinchport is also a stop on the Daniel Boone Birding Trail, where bird watchers can observe a variety of native birds. Adventurous visitors can travel to the town on the Clinch River Highway, a popular biking route known for its turns and inclines.
Town of Coeburn
The town of Coeburn in southeastern Wise County is conveniently located off Route 58. Incorporated in 1894, Coeburn boasts a historic downtown. The Lays Hardware Center for the Arts, in the heart of downtown, focuses on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region. A few miles south of town is the Guest River Gorge trailhead. The 5.3-mile trail follows the path of a former rail line that historically hauled coal and timber. Paralleling the Guest River, the trail offers views of the scenic Guest River Gorge. In addition to hiking or biking the trail, visitors can fish, kayak, and canoe the river.
Town of Duffield
Located in Scott County, a major tourist draw to Duffield is nearby Natural Tunnel State Park. Naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years, the tunnel is over 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building. The park offers swimming, picnicking, camping, and hiking. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail, which connects sites with strong ties to the early frontier, takes you through Natural Tunnel State Park. The original site of the Anderson Blockhouse, a fortified structure built in the late 1700s to protect European settlers from attacks, is located along the trail. Visitors can learn more about the structure and early life on the frontier by visiting a replica of the blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center in Duffield offers changing exhibits about Boone and the region.
Town of Dungannon
The town of Dungannon in Scott County is a quiet crossroads community located along the banks of the Clinch River. Named for the Irish birthplace of the town’s founder, the local economy was historically rooted in timber and logging. Today, Dungannon has become a hub for equestrian activities with the growing Scott County Regional Horse Park and horse trails developing throughout town.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 7