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Resolution in support of the designation of a driving route entitled The Wilderness
Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route from Winchester to Cumberland Gap
in Western Virginia including the two spurs of The Carolina Road and the
Fincastle /Cumberland Gap Turnpike
WHEREAS, from 1775 -1810 an estimated. 300,000 settlers traveled through Virginia to
the Cumberland Gap. This migration and western movement is a significant part of
Virginia history and had far reaching effects on the development of the United States of
America. Today, an estimated 43 million Americans can trace their ancestors to the
migration through Virginia along the Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration
Route; and
WHEREAS, the historical migration of early settlers and pioneers to Virginia followed
closely to what is now Route 11, 58, and 23 from Winchester to Cumberland Gap; and
WHEREAS, this driving route is developed to preserve, interpret, and promote the
history, heritage, and culture of the early pioneer settlement and migration through
Virginia, and the role that Virginia played in the migration of settlers through the
- Cumberland Gap and the development of the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Wilderness Road Committee has been working for two years under the
leadership of the Virginia Tourism Corporation in partnership with tourism
representatives from 28 tourism localities and 12 state /federal partners to develop the
driving route of the Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route, and spurs
known as The Carolina Road, and The Fincastle /Cumberland Gap Turnpike, connecting
with the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail, and individual community loops for each
locality; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the committee is to develop a new tourism product to
increase economic growth and tourism spending in the region. The purpose of the
committee is to promote The Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route
from Winchester to Cumberland Gap in a way that preserves and interprets the heritage
of the migration era from the 1700's to the mid 1800's to increase tourism visitation and
economic impact of tourism spending; and
WHEREAS, this state designation delineates the route and recognizes the driving route
as The Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route. This shall not affect any
other designation heretofore or hereafter applied to this route or any potions thereof; and
WHEREAS, designation of this driving route allows for the further development of
tourism as a vital part of economic development, building on the tourism assets of the
westward migration and stimulating new tourism growth to Western and Southwestern
Virginia.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County of Frederick expresses its
support to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide state
designation for the Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Frederick expresses its support of
directional signs along the corridor to direct tourists along the driving trail to the
Winchester/Frederick County Visitors' Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Frederick fully supports the efforts
of the Wildemess Road Committee to develop the Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage
Migration Route as a national and international tourism product to increase visitation to
Western Virginia.
Adopted this 9�' day of January, 2008.
VOTE:
Richard C. Shickle Aye Gene E. Fisher Ave
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Ave Philip A. Lemieux Ave
Gary W. Dove Ave Gary A. Lofton Ave
Bill M. Ewing Ave
�Ja,� �: �- -rf��,
JohniR. ley, Jr., Clerk
Resolution No.: U32 -OS
Page 1 of 2
Jay Tibbs
Fi _ ,: Natalie Wills [wills@visitwinchesterva.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:34 PM
To: jtibbs @co.frederick.va.us
Cc: 'Sally Coates'
Subject: FW: Wilderness Raad resolution for supervisors
lay,
attached is information regarding a resolution of support for the Wilderness Road. It is a new initiative from VA Tourism that Sally
Coates on our staff has been working on for two years now. As you will see, Winchester and Frederick County are very much as
part of this as we are the start of 4he route. There is no money involved and VA Tourism is asking for support from localities along
he route so that the general assembly can get behind it as well. The attached documents are very helpful. There is a very nice
xochure and we are first in the listings and we would be happy to speak briefly fo the supervisors about this orjust have the
Brochures there at their meeting, whichever would work best.
'lease let me know how and possibly when this could get before the supervisors.
:The resolution would need names and signatures at the bottom for official signatures. I'm not sure who all on the board signs
resolutions).
Ne are very excited about this promotion and Sally Coates has worked very hard with the committee. I believe this will result in
Great exposure for Winchester and Frederick County, with our area being the start of the "road." Please contact me with any
questions.
rha�' �.
Natalie
vatalie Wills
Executive Director
Winchester - Frederick County
Convention &Visitors Bureau
1360 S. Pleasant Valley Rd.
Winchester, VA 22601
;540) 542 -1326
;877) 871 -1326
www.VisitWinchesterVA corn
Winchester - Frederick County Convention &Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for
Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia.
__ _.____.__.._.__._____.___._____ ....ww.... __.______....._._.� ._____...___.
Prom: Sally Coates [ mailto :coates @visitwinchesterva.comJ
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 9:52 AM
To: 'Natalie Wills'
Subject:
Nat
As yva know, The General Assembly is being asked to designate a driving tour along the corridor of US 11/23/58 highways
as "The Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route. " With the official designation, road signage will be
11 /28/2007
Page 2 of 2
provided and we'll be on the way to National designation. Before that can be accomplished, each community along the corridor is
asked to support a Wilderness Road resolution.
Etta � are three files that relate to the Wilderness Road resolution. The first fife, WR resolution, is the one that Winchester City
:ourrcd and the Frederick County Board of 5upenrisors is asked to adopt. The second file, entitled WR Legislative act, is the
actual act for the General Assembly, and the third file provides supportive information. Please advise if more information is
seeded.
thanks for your support!
Tally
Tally C. Coates
/isitor &Community Relations Manager
IVinchester- Frederick County Convention &Visitor Bureau
1360 S. Pleasant Valley Road
�nchester, VA 22601
Set a Better View of History
11 /28/2007
An Act to designate a driving tour along the corridor of US 11/23/58 highways as "The
Wilderness Raad.• Virginia's Heritage Migration Route. "
The following driving route is hereby designated "The Wilderness Road: Virginia's
Heritage Migration Route " to connect the tourist with local visitor centers along the
corridor of the route. Beginning on US 11 at the northern entrance at the Virginia State
Line and proceeding south along US 11 to the visitor centers in the following locations,
City of Winchester and Frederick County, through Shenandoah County and the towns of
Strasburg, Woodstock, Edinburg, Mt. Jackson and New Mazket, thence through
Rockingham County and City of Harrisonburg, through Augusta County and City of
Staunton, through Rockbridge County and City of Lexington to Natural Bridge, From
Natural Bridge traveling two miles on F055. Right across bridge on F054 to Route 11
(F054 turns into Route 11 at overpass). Proceed through Botetourt County and the Town
of Buchanan then along the service road south to the intersection of US 11 near
Buchanan, proceeding on US 11 to Roanoke County, Left on Plantation Road, Right on
Orange Avenue, Left on US 11/Williamson Road to the Roanoke Visitor Center. Thence
continuing through City of Roanoke on Williamson Road, Right onto Campbell Avenue,
Left on Jefferson Street, Right on McClanahan Street becoming Brandon Avenue and
then Apperson Drive, Right onto VA 419 N /Electric Road, Left onto Boulevard to the
Salem Visitor Center, thence through the City of Salem by way of Boulevazd onto Idaho
Street, Left onto Lynchburg Turnpike, Left on Main Street, thence to Montgomery
County and the Town of Christiansburg, to the City of Radford, then to Pulaski County
by way of crossing Memorial Bridge, then -left onto Route 626, Hazel Hollow Road, Left
onto Route 626 to Route 611, Wilderness Road, Right onto Route 611 to Newbern Road,
Left on Route 611 through Newbern. Right onto Route 100 to rejoin Route 11 south at
the Town of Dublin, through the Town of Pulaski. Right on Route F044, proceeding
through intersection to Route F043 into Wythe County, Left onto Litho Road to USDA
Dr. Right Route 11 South thence to the Town of Wytheville, to Smyth County and the
Towns of Marion and Chilhowie, to Washington County and the Town of Abingdon,
thence through the City of Bristol by way of Route 1 l ,Left on Route 11 South, then right
onto State Street, left on l 1 W, .follow the 11 W corridor to the Daniel Boone Wilderness
Trail at VA Route 702, left on Route 704 to VA 606 to the Anderson Block House site in
Scott County, thence connecting and overlaying with the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail
west on Route 704 to Route 224 at Wadlow Gap, right on 224 and proceed to US Route
58 at Moccasin Gap, thence through Scott County connecting to US 23/ 58/421 west
through the Town of Duffield, thence continuing west into Lee County on the Daniel
Boone Wilderness Trail through the Town of Jonesville, and ending at the Cumberland
Gap National Historical Park at the Virginia State Line.
The Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route includes two significant
spur routes that created economic commerce and opened more territory for settlements.
The Carolina Road, denoted on the early maps by the 1750's, was connected to the
Wilderness Road at Roanoke, beginning at the Roanoke Visitor Center, thence right onto
Shenandoah Avenue, right vn Williamson Road, left onto Elm Avenue/LJS 24E, right on
US 220 South. On Route 220 South through Franklin County, thence south on Route 220
through Henry County, then on Business 220 through the City of Martinsville and thence
back onto Route 220 South to the North Cazvlina/Virginia State Line.
The Fincastle /Cumberland Gap Turnpike was established in 1834 by the Virginia
General Assembly. The route begins by traveling on Route 11 to Route 220 north to
Fincastle. The eastern terminus leaving. Fincastle in Botetourt County on State 606, left
on west Route 614 in Craig County through the Town of New Castle, thence on Route 42
to Giles County, left on Scenic Byway Route 61 through Bland County west to Tazewell
County, left onto west Route 19/460 through Tazewell County, thence on Route 19
through Russell County and the Town of Lebanon, thence west to Route 71 ,Right on
Alt 58, Left on Route 65 through Dungannon and Fort Blackmore, Right on Route 650
through Rye Cove, then right on Route 58 to connect with the Daniel Boone Wilderness
Trail, thence connecting to the Cumberland Gap at the Virginia State Line.
Wilderness Road:
- Virginia's Heritage Migration Route
Mission: To identify and promote the Wi]derness Road Corridor from Winchester to
Cumberland Gap through tourism marketing, educational and historical interpretation
utilizing a regional partnership in a way that advances economic development through
tourism in western Virginia.
■ 1775 -1810- Nearly 300,000 settlers traveled through Cumberland Gap
■ Today, over 23 million Americans can trace their ancestors to the migration along
the Wilderness Road
Legislative Talking Points
• There are 28 participating communities along the route from Winchester to
Cumberland Gap a length of almost 500 miles.
• Established a Committee of Tourism and Attraction Representatives — Initiated
Sept. 2005
Identified the Historical and Cultural Sites
Developed a Driving Tour of the Main Corridor
Developed Carolina and Fincastle Driving Tours
Developing Community Loops
Developed a Wilderness Road Brochure
Developed a web site at www. WildernessRoadVA.org
• There are 12 state and federal agencies participating in the project.
• The Wilderness Road Main Corridor follows the Route I 1 corridor from
Winchester to Bristol then connects with the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail in
Scott County on Route 58/23, travels to Lee County ending at Cumberland Gap
National Historical Park where is intersects with the Kentucky Wilderness Road
Heritage Highway
• The Carolina Road is a spur that runs from Buchanan on Route 220 through
Franklin County, Henry County and the City of Martinsville where is connects
with North Carolina. This route includes The Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum
College.
• The Fincastle Turnpike is a spur that was enacted by General Assembly in 1834
and ran from Fincastle through Giles County, Bland, Tazewell and Russell
Counties to connect with the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail.
• The VTC has provided a brochure and web site featuring the communities and
historical assets along the route.
• A Marketing Leveraging Grant was awarded to the project by the VTC last spring
for marketing efforts.
Request for Virginia General Assembly
• Wilderness Road Committee is seeking General Assembly designation for the
"Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route" from Winchester to
Cumberland Gap.
• The Committee is seeking funding of $250,000 to purchase, install and maintain
directional signs and interpretive signs for the Wilderness Road Eorridor Route
along Highways 11, S8 and 23. The Cazolina Road along the corridor of Highway
220 and Fincastle Turnpike on Routes 606, 615, 42, 460, 61, 19, 71.
• Manufacture 1000 Signs and Post $100 000
Installation 1000 Signs $100 000
Maintenance (10 years) $ 50 000
TOTAL $250,000
Community Partners
Winchester- Frederick County
Wytheville /Wythe County
Shenandoah County
Marion/Chi]howie/ Smyth County
City of Harrisonburg
Abingdon/Washington County
Rockingham County
City of Bristol
City of Staunton
Gate City /Duffield/Scott County
Augusta County
Lee County
- City of Lexington
Franklin County
Rockbridge County
City of Martinsville/Henry County
Botetourt County
Craig County
City of Roanoke
Giles County
City of Salem
Tazewell County
Roanoke County
Russell County
Blacksburg /Christiansburg /Montgomery County
City of Radford
Pulaski - Pulaski County
Bland County
State and Federal Partners
Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia Department of Transportation
Shenandoah Valley Travel Association Blue Ridge Travel Association
Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority Cumberland Gap National Park
Natural Tunnel State Park Wilderness Road State Park
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Blue Ridge Institute
Radford University
Department of Housing and Community Development
Mount Roger's Planning District Commission