The Fascinating History Of Fayerdale, An Abandoned Virginia Town Buried Under A Lake
By Beth|Published May 22, 2021
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
If the lake at Fairystone State Park could talk, it would have quite a few stories to tell. What now exists as Fairystone Lake was once the site of a town called Fayerdale, also known as Iron Furnace. This once-bustling mining town was a tight-knit community; however, because of declining conditions, it was eventually abandoned. The formation of Fairystone State Park meant flooding the abandoned town and creating Fairystone Lake. Visit the park today, and you’ll still see some remaining clues about what once existed deep beneath the water. Continue reading and you’ll agree that the history is equal parts tragic, haunting, and fascinating.
Today, the landscape of Fairy Stone State Park is famous for “fairy stones,” tiny cross-shaped crystals that can be discovered on the ground. However, this region was once known for being a reliable source of iron ore.
The caption in the sign above reads, "When the Virginia Ore and Lumber Company bought the mine in 1906, they needed a more efficient way to ship large quantities of iron ore to the smelting furnaces in Pulaski County. Norfolk and Western Railroad granted the company permission to build a twelve-mile spur from Fayerdale to the town of Philpott. The railroad boosted Fayerdale’s economy. In addition to iron ore, the train carried passengers and local products."
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When surface iron became scarce, shafts were put into place by the Union Iron Works. If you hike the Iron Mine Trail at the park today, you’ll see remnants of the old mine shaft.
But these mining operations were short-lived. By the early 1920s, families began to move away as the operations declined. For those who stayed, illegal liquor production was a way to supplement dwindling income.
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) formed, and thanks to a donation of nearly 4,700 acres, Fairy Stone State Park was created as one of the original six Virginia state parks.
The former mining town was flooded so that the lake — the crown jewel of the park — could be created. Isn't it fascinating to think that there was once an entire world under these waters?
Have you ever heard of Fayerdale or do you have any family members that once lived there? If so, feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! For related content, check out these small towns in Virginia where huge things happened.
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