VA 59 #1: Appeared in June 1931 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 302 from US 501/VA 18 near Denniston east 3 miles towards Virgilina. A second new primary piece was created running from VA 44 (now US 58/VA 49) near Clarksville southwest 2 miles to a little past Buffalo Junction.
In July 1932 (CTB), the Clarksville piece was extended 0.3 miles and the original piece was extended to Mecklenburg County just past Virgilina. This left a 7 mile gap in Mecklenburg County.
In July 1933, both pieces were renumbered as part of VA 49. Today the original piece is mostly VA 96 (used SR 762 in Mayo) and the Clarksville piece is mostly SR 871 plus a little VA 49.
VA 59 #2: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 121, running from near Gilley through Pound, Clintwood, Fremont, Clinchco, Haysi, Grundy, and Stacy before exiting into West Virginia.
In Sept 1940 (CTB), VA 59 was renumbered as VA 83. Today it is SR 671 west of Pound; a bit of US 23 Bus in Pound; VA 83 east which has been totally rebuilt in the Meade to Georges Fork area: abandoned alignments west of SR 623, SR 853 Red Onion Rd; abandoned alignments east of VA 361; SR 766; SR 765 Longs Fork Rd in the Georges Fork-Clintwood area; VA 83 from Clintwood to Fremont; abandoned but standing bridge over the Clinch River in Fremont; VA 63 from Fremont to Haysi; VA 83 from Haysi to West Virginia except VA 59 used SR 1003 Walnut St.

VA 59 #1 1932 Official

VA 59 #2 1933 Official

VA 59 #3: Appeared Sept 1940 (CTB) to match then-WV 59. This was a renumbering of VA 261 and it ran from West Virginia to Columbia Furnace and Woodstock before ending at Forest Rd 108 in Woodstock Gap.
In Sept 1942 (CTB), VA 59 east was truncated to US 11 Woodstock, leaving behind SR 758.

VA 59 #3 1941-42 Official

VA 59 truncated to Woodstock 1944 Official

Between 1940-46, VA 59 was rerouted at the West Virginia border to use the current SR 691 gravel road east and then south to Liberty Furnace. The old route became a 4WD trail and Forest Road 252 which runs into SR 691 near Liberty Furnace.

VA 59 initial WV to Liberty Furnace route 1940 Shenandoah County

VA 59 shifted eastward 1946 Shenandoah County

In Oct 1947 (CTB), VA 59 east was truncated to Columbia Furnace, replaced by VA 42.
In April 1949 (CTB), the remaining VA 59 was decommissioned to SRs 691/717-675, plus Forest Road 99.

VA 42 replaces VA 260 and part of VA 59 1948 Official

VA 59 is decommissioned 1950 Official

Today, the route used by VA 59 is from west to east: SR 691 from WV to Liberty Furnace; SR 717 east to SR 675; SR 675 east to Columbia Furnace; SR 623 and SR 768 over to VA 42; VA 42 east to the I-81 area; Fairground Rd to US 11; US 11 Main St to Court St; Court St east to Water St; Water St north to Cemetery Rd; Cemetery Rd east out of Woodstock, becomes SR 758 which VA 261 followed up the mountain to its endpoint at forest road 108. The part west of SR 717 and the SR 758 ascent up the mountain are both still unpaved. The SR 758 section has several steep, sharp switchbacks.
WV 59 is still shown on maps, including the WV Official. However, it is has been posted in the field as CR 59 back to at least the early 2000s. The West Virginia side is still only paved on the western half.