Mary Draper Ingles Sites

Erected in 1909, the 22-ft monument is constructed of chimney stone from the original Ingles Farm cabin.

1500 Fifth St., Radford, VA 24141

Located on Radford University campus, these residence halls are part of the Moffett Quad, which honors women from Virginia history. Draper Hall is named in honor of Bettie Draper, the sister-in-law of Mary Draper Ingles. Ingles Hall recognizes the heroic journey of Mary Draper Ingles.

801 E. Main St., Radford, VA 24141

This artwork was commissioned by The Fine Arts Section of the U.S. Treasury Department under the New Deal programs. “The Return of Mary Draper Ingles,” oil on canvas painted in 1942 by Alexander B. Clayton

901 W. Main St., Radford, VA 24141

U.S. Post Office Mural – This artwork was commissioned by The Fine Arts Section of the U.S. Treasury Department under the New Deal programs. “Great Road,” oil on canvas painted by John W. de Groot in 1939.

Christiansburg Post Office, 2 E. Main St., Christiansburg, VA 24073

On 30 July 1755, during the French and Indian War, Shawnee Indians attacked the Draper's Meadow settlement nearby. They killed Col. James Patton, Casper Barger, Mrs. George Draper, and a Draper child, wounded James Cull, and captured Mary Draper Ingles, her two sons, Mrs. John Draper, and Henry Leonard. The Indians took their captives to Ohio. After several months, Ingles escaped and wandered some 800 miles to return home, a legendary feat. She and her husband, William, moved near Radford and operated a New River ferry. She died and was buried there in 1815, aged 83.

As the population in the New River valley increased in the 18th century, the western branch of the Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia to the backcountry of the Carolinas and Georgia crossed the region. The branch became known as the Wilderness Road. After Daniel Boone and others improved it about 1775, it was the main route of migration to Kentucky and the West through Cumberland Gap. This segment of the Wilderness Road ascended the Allegheny Mountains at Christiansburg, crossed the New River at Ingles Ferry, then continued west. In the 19th century, the Ingles Ferry Road was incorporated into the South Western Turnpike.

John Draper's wife, Bettie Robertson Draper, was captured by the Shawnee at Draper's Meadow (Blacksburg) in 1755. Mrs. Draper was carried into the Ohio country along with her sister-in-law Mary Draper Ingles and five others. Six years later John Draper found his wife living in the family of an Indian chief. After paying for her return, the Drapers went home to the New River Valley. About 1765 they moved into a log cabin in the area still known as Draper’s Valley--just to the south and west.

Not “new” at all, the New River, the second oldest in the world, is more than 320 million years old. Only the Nile is older. The river received its original English name, Wood's River, perhaps from Colonel Abraham Wood who explored the area in 1654, from the 1671 expedition on which he sent Thomas Batte and Robert Hallom, or from Thomas Wood (possibly his son) who died on the 1671 trip. The name New derives from New Brittaine or New Virginia, for the western territory of the Carolinas and Virginia where the river begins, as mentioned after 1651 in official London reports.

It originated as a railroad town in 1856 and was known as Central. In 1862-65 this section was in the range of Union raids; Confederates burned the bridge at Ingles Ferry to retard raiders. Incorporated in 1887 as a town, the place was incorporated as a city in 1892 and named Radford, for Dr. John B. Radford, prominent citizen. Radford State Teachers College was established here, 1913.

Built by John Heavin on the Wilderness Road in 1796, the Tavern served as an Inn. A settlement, including a general store, blacksmith shop, saloon and homes grew up around it. William baskerville acquired the property in 1827 and operated a post office there from 1836-1837. Dr. John Blair Radford purchased the property in 1842. The post office returned 1849-1888.

In 1746 “Frederick Stering (Staring) and two sons” were workers on a road “ordered” from the N. Fork of the Roanoke to the New River. Second son, Frederick Starn, Jr., “entered” 200a “below the Little Horseshoe” in March 1747. Other sons, Sgt. Joseph, Pvts. Leonard and Adam, served in the 700 frontier VA Militia under Lt. Col. George Washington, 1756-58. They were sent to the Carolinas for the 1759-60 Cherokee Expedition under Capt. Chas. Hart. Youngest son, Thomas, settled on the Holston but was driven back here by the Indians.

(side b)
Frederick Starn (Staring, ca. 1700 - 1774) immigrated to NY from the German Palatinate. With his wife, Mary (Goldman), and six children, he left the Mohawk Valley in NY to settle on the New River, about 2½ miles east of here, by 1744. A 1746, 500a survey designated the “Starn Place in the bend of the river”. 200a were entered “on ye mouth of Crab Creek” in 1747. During the French and Indian War, Frederick Starn was wounded and captured by the Indians in July of 1775 but escaped. He is the ancestor of this large old Southern family who are of German descent.

One mile to the north stood this Methodist Chapel, an early one in the New River area. It was built on land given in 1795 by Alexander Page. Bishop Francis Asbury preached in the chapel in 1802 and again in 1806.

About five miles southwest is Dunkard Bottom, where Dr. Walker found a settlement in 1750. The fort there was built about 1756 and was the first fort in Virginia west of New River. The first store and first mill were also there.

This branch of the New River dividing east and west Radford was named after James Connelly, an early pioneer and surveyor. In 1749, he helped to mark the path that became known as the Wilderness Road, today Rock Road south of the Park.
Connelly's Run and a large spring served as Radford's main water supply until about a century ago. This quiet stream is now the central attraction in Wildwood Park serving as a place of solitude and a laboratory for students studying biology and hydrology. Since 1994, water quality has been monitored by Radford High School science classes.

In 1755 colonial heroine Mary Draper Ingles spent part of her Shawnee captivity at Big Bone Lick, Ky. And near what is today’s Portsmouth, Ohio. The people of Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia have embraced the frontierswoman’s famous story, and in 2008, she was honored with a bronze statue in front of Boone County, KY, Public Library.

Each year West Virginia honors Mary Draper Ingles with festivals and reenactments; in addition, a bridge in Summers County and a trail in Putnam County are named in her honor.

This collective monument acknowledges the brave, creative and wise contributions of Virginian women. The monument is a metaphor for the often unrecognized voices that have been responsible for shaping our culture, country and Commonwealth for more than 400 years. Its thought-provoking presence complements the traditional heroic monuments that have long stood on Capitol Square. Voices from the Garden honors notable Virginians through an installation composed of historically accurate sculptural representations, designed by Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS in Brooklyn, N.Y. More than 200 women are honored on the glass Wall of Honor.

The monument features seven, life-sized bronze statues of women from throughout the Commonwealth’s history: Cockacoeske, Pamunkey chieftain; Anne Burras Laydon, Jamestown colonist; Mary Draper Ingles, frontierswoman; Elizabeth Keckly, seamstress and confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln; Laura Copenhaver, entrepreneur in the textile industry; Virginia Randolph, educator; Adèle Clark, suffragist and artist.

1000 Bank St., Richmond, VA 23219

(Inside 9 and Grace Street Entrance to Capitol Square)