National Register of Historic Places

Varney's Falls Dam

Gillmore Mills, Botetourt County, Virginia
Listed
October 13, 1993
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
93001127

About this property

Varney's Falls Dam is a historic lock and dam structure located on the James River near Gilmore Mills, Botetourt County, Virginia. It was built in 1851, and is a massive limestone structure. The lock chamber measures 100 feet long between gate recesses, 15 feet wide, and approximately 21 feet from the top on the upriver end to ground level. Associated with the lock are the lock and dam abutment structures, the remaining towpaths, canal bed, berm bank, towpath culvert and remnants of a towpath bridge. The dam was destroyed in 1881, and the lock gates removed in 1885. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It is part of the James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District.

Location

Gillmore Mills, Botetourt County, Virginia
37.58301, -79.59697

Categories

ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Annandale
Industrial
1.4 mi
Vine Forest
Industrial
3.1 mi
Greyledge
Pre Contact
3.8 mi
Natural Bridge
Listed
4.2 mi
Buchanan Historic District
Listed
5.7 mi

Nearby Battles

Engagement at Natural Bridge (1864)
1864Civil War
4.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Varney's Falls Dam listed on the National Register?

Varney's Falls Dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 13, 1993.

What type of historic resource is Varney's Falls Dam?

Varney's Falls Dam is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Varney's Falls Dam?

The period of significance for Varney's Falls Dam is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Varney's Falls Dam?

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