Scenes Of Virginia Page Five

Mountain Scene Near Poplar Camp Near New River and Shot Tower

Old stone Shot Tower on the banks of New River.
This tower stand on a high bluff along the river and a shaft was dug down to the river level so that boats could come in through a tunnel to collect the chilled shot.. A lead melting furnace was located in the top of the tower where molten lead was poured through screens.. As the droplets of lead fell a hundred feed or more to the water below, it formed into round pellets (shot) and was hardened when it hit the cold water of the river.. This structure is visible from Interstate 77 between Ft. Chiswell and Hillsville,VA

The Dunkards were the first to settle along New River at a place called Dunkards Bottom northeast of the shot tower.. After a disastrous Indian attack the Dunkards dispersed to other locations.. The bottom land where they settled is now covered by the waters of Claytor Lake.. Later a settlement was made near the lead mines and many bought land there, however the Indians also attacked those settlements driving many people out. Some moved over the Blue Ridge to south side Va. and NC.. William Harrell claimed land near Poplar Camp and Big Reed Island east of the location of the Shot Tower.. He died in Wythe Co. in 1822.  Lead, silver, copper and Iron were mined in Montgomery, Floyd, Wythe and Carroll counties during early times..   The sign at right is located beneath the bridge which carries interstate 77 across New River beside Rt. 52...