Virginia Waysides
Virginia Highways Project
Virginia Waysides

1950 Official
A relatively unique institution in the state of Virginia is the wayside. Waysides are picnicking areas along thoroughfares that served as early versions of rest areas along the pre-interstate days of motoring around Virginia.
Waysides come in many different sizes, and could either have full facilities or none. Often, they were placed in lots created by the realignment of a highway.
Per an article in the July 1946 Virginia Highways Bulletin:
In the interest of safety, utility, and beauty, and to add to the pleasures of the traveling public, a system of waysides or small roadside park and parking areas was started in 1934.


A moratorium was placed on building new waysides in July 1953 (CTB) due to budget concerns. This moratorium was lifted in Aug 1964 (CTB) with the creation of the Arterial System of Highways in Virginia.
In June 1981, the CTB adopted the strategy of unloading waysides from the responsibility of VDOT as a cost savings measure (in that same document it mentioned Virginia also had 1400 (!) Roadside Tables).
Waysides were listed and shown on the pictorial history map shown on the reverse of Official State Maps beginning with the July 1937 issue until 1982-83, except for the Bicentennial Issues of 1975 and 1976.

It turns out that some waysides have existed that were never listed on the reverse of Official Maps.
Three waysides were proposed and apparently never approved for Essex, Giles, and Wise Counties in locations that were not given at all in the Aug 1952 CTB.

Some appear in the 1949 Route Log and the CTB Minutes list at least a couple more.
Although no longer listed, some Waysides continue to exist, maintained for public use. The list below (arranged by route number, just like the lists were) includes a note about the current status, if I know what it is.
There have been at least 74 waysides listed on the maps at some point.

Last Update (7/7/17):
New waysides identified: "turnout" (US 11); Crab Orchard (US 19); Leland-Madison (VA 20); Pendleton (US 33); South Boston (US 501)
Location discovered: Mecklenburg (US 1), Madison (US 29), "Wayside" (US 29), Bland (VA 42), Mariners Museum (US 60), Cleburne (VA 100),
Rich Creek (US 460), Montvale (US 460), Oxford Furnace (US 460), "Wayside" (US 460), Grassy Creek (US 460)
Historic images added: Stafford (US 1), Mary Washington (US 1), Hanover (VA 2), Temperance (VA 6), Carter (US 11), Draper (US 11), Elizabeth River (US 13), Douglas (US 19), Appomattox (VA 24),
Humpback (US 60), Afton (US 250), Potoma (US 340)
Contemporary images added: Mecklenburg (US 1), Draper (US 11), Bland (VA 42), Lovers Leap (US 58)



Name: Occoquan
Location:US 1 - 15 miles south of Alexandria
Existed: 1938-1942/44
Notes: This was just north of the Occoquan River Bridge in Woodbridge. I believe this was affected by the construction of Shirley Hwy. HistoricAerials only go back to 1962.

Name:Longdale
Location:US 1 - 3 miles north of Richmond
Existed:1941-1942/44
Notes: I believe this is just south of VA 161 along the SB side of US 1 before the bridge over Longdale Creek.

Name:Stafford
Location:US 1 - 1 mile north of Stafford CH
Existed:1938-1984+
Notes: Click on the images to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside is completely overgrown and return to wooded median. There was a stone water fountain still visible in the late 90's on a pull off on the US 1 SB side, but that was eventually removed.
A restroom house is still present, though extremely hard to see from either direction on US 1 except in the dead of winter. It appears the main access point was SR 631 between the US 1 NB and SB alignments.
The May 1978 CTB authorized spending $120,000 on the Stafford Wayside Rest Area
Photos:Mapmikey (7/2/08); 1950 Virginia Highways Bulletin


Name:North Anna
Location:US 1 - 10 miles north of Ashland
Existed:1938-1982/83
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
There are cleared ares on both sides of the North Anna River along US 1, one on the SB side north of the bridge has a monumnent.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/26/06)


 Name:Little River
 Location:US 1 - 6 miles north of Ashland
 Existed:1941-1975/77
 Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
  D. McGrann writes:
Exists now as a turnout on the southern end of the Little River bridge, on the west side of the highway. There is a stone Jefferson Davis Highway marker at the turnout, erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
It once sported a bronze plate about the Jefferson Davis Highway, but it's been long removed by vandals. I broke down there once some years back, so I've got an intimate knowledge of the area!


Name:Falling Creek
Location:US 1,301 - 5 miles south of Richmond
Existed:1938-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is one of the nicer ones still around, fully identified as a wayside, in the median of the highway. The old bridge over the creek in the middle of this wayside was destroyed by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston in August 2004.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/24/07)


Name:Meherrin River
Location:US 1 - 7 miles north of South Hill
Existed:1953-84+
Notes: No longer a posted wayside, but still accessible. Nothing remains except the driveways.
Photos:Mapmikey (9/23/06; 11/10/07)

Name: Mecklenburg
Location: US 1 - 6 miles south of South Hill
Existed:1935-84+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This was located on both sides of US 1-58 at today's Park View High School.
In July 1953 (CTB), the portion west of US 1-58 was sold to the Mecklenburg County School Board for $1.
By the late 1960s the school was constructed, relegating the wayside to only east of the highway. Today the driveway is still there with a bunch of dumpsters...
Photos:Mapmikey (6/15/17)


Name:Mary Washington
Location: US 1 ALT - 3 miles south of Falmouth
Existed:1950-1956
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is on US 1 Bypass at Hazel Run in the City of Fredericksburg. Started out only on the east side of the highway. Today there are litter barrels in clearings on both sides.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/24/07); 1950 Virginia Highways Bulletin


Name:Hanover
Location:VA 2, US 301 - 9 miles north of Richmond
Existed:1935-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is a fully marked wayside, a nice shady spot just south of Hanover Courthouse and even has its own route number, SR 900.
VDOT gave all acreage of the wayside to Pittsylvania County in Aug 1982 (CTB) with the ability to get a small bit back if the highway were ever widened.
A. Smith notes: It also has small brown signs underneath the advanced notice SR 900 signs. It also has the name "Hanover Wayside Rd." Behind the "pull-off" there is actually a rather big opening circled by Route 900,
and if my memory serves me right, covered picnic tables.
His memory does serve correctly, as this is a nice place, comparable to a county park, which I guess technically it is.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/26/06; 3/17/07); July 1946 Virginia Highways Bulletin


Name:Plantation
Location:VA 5 - 8 miles north Charles City CH
Existed:1955-1970
Notes: Froggie and I think we found this one, at the turnoff to the Berkeley Plantation along VA 5, in a wedge created with an old VA 5 alignment.
About 2012 this area was rehabbed into a new rest stop along the Virginia Capital Bicycle Trail that parallels VA 5.
The March 1954 CTB authorizing $900 to develop this wayside referred to it as the Herring Creek Wayside.
Photos:Mapmikey and Adam Froehlig (11/7/08)


Name:Dixie
Location:VA 6, US 15 - 6 miles south of Palmyra
Existed:1938-1942/44
Notes: This was in the middle of the triangle at the US 15-VA 6 split in the hamlet of Dixie.
Per HistoricAerials, the parking pull-off was on the US 15 leg of the triangle. All that is there now is a flag pole and a small memorial.
Photos:Mapmikey (12/9/06; 4/23/08)


Name:Goochland
Location:VA 6 - 1/2 mile east of Georges Tavern
Existed:1944-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
There are still some picnic tables and a marked contaminated spring.
Photos:Mapmikey (12/9/06)


Name: Temperance
Location: VA 6 - 10 miles west of Fork Union
Existed: 1955-84+
Notes: Although I did drive by this location earlier in 2003, I did not recall anything about this location. D. McGrann reports:
The "Temperance" wayside on Rt. 6 was on the banks of the Hardware River. I have very fond memories of this wayside, as I recall a great picnic and frolic there back in the 1960's when I was a kid. Probably waht made it so memorable was the same reason it no longer exists - there was a great big dropoff where the old highway bridge had been. I seem to remember almost falling off this "cliff". Not a safe place.


Mapmikey went to this location in April 2008 and found no sign a wayside had ever been there. HistoricAerials showed the pulloff to park west of the bridge on the VA 6 EB side.
The first pic is from the east side of the river where there is some open space still. The second pic is looking from the current bridge at the location of the earlier bridge.
A nearby landowner contacted us. The original bridge was a covered bridge that fell into disrepair in the late 1930s. The third picture below shows this taken from roughly where the wayside parking area was.
He also found the origin of the name 'Temperance' - the builder of the covered bridge was reported to be Fluvanna County resident General John Hartwell Cocke, who was also elected president of the Virginia Temperance Society in 1834, and as President of the United States Temperance Union in 1836
The March 1954 CTB authorizing $600 to develop this wayside referred to it as the Hardware River Wayside.
A new bridge built in 2015 was located essentially where the covered bridge used to be, rendering any remnant of the wayside gone forever.
Photos:Mapmikey 4/23/08; VDOT


Name:Catoctin
Location:VA 7 - 1 mile west of VA 9
Existed:1941-1981
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This would be on VA 7 Business today. The wayside location was not destroyed by the construction of VA 7 Bypass per Historic Aerials.
This wayside listing was the source of a map error, because for a couple maps past 1941, VA 9 in the location description was still being referred to as VA 238.
Additionally, it is misspelled as Catoctic on the 1941-42 issue.


Name: Bluemont
Location: VA 7 - between Leesburg and Berryville
Existed: 1938-1956
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is located at the VA 7 crossing of the Blue Ridge at SR 601. This looks to be on an old VA 7 alignment and is now a commuter lot.
After reviewing HistoricAerials I may have this location incorrect...

Photo:Mapmikey (1/23/09)

Name: Berryville (per '49 Route Log...Unnamed on maps)
Location: VA 7 - between Winchester and Berryville
Existed: 1938-1951
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
With such a generic description, locating this has been difficult.


Name:Unnamed
Location: US 11 - 2 miles south of Harrisonburg
Existed: 1938-1942/44
Notes: This is well within the suburban reach of Harrisonburg today.
Wesley Furr reports that a picnic area in this location remained into the 1980s and was located roughly where Shanandoah Heritage Farmers Market is today, on the east side of the road.
HistoricAerials is vague on this...

Name:Cedar Creek
Location:US 11 - 1 mile north of Strasburg
Existed: 1962-1984+
Notes: This is just north of the I-66 interchange in the median of US 11, and looks to have been on both sides of Cedar Creek. No longer a posted wayside but has a couple historical markers south of Cedar Creek.
The Sept 1962 CTB authorized $3000 to construct this due to complaits of nearby landowners that the roadside tables there were overused and had no facilities/policing.
Photos:Mapmikey (2/1/06)


Name: Sam Houston
Location: US 11 - 5 miles north of Lexington
Existed: 1938-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is just north of the I-64/81 interchange, wedged between US 11 and a former Lee Hwy alignment. A big monument to Sam Houston (born here) is at this wayside.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/22/06, 10/21/08)


Name: Roanoke River
Location: US 11, 460 - 6 miles south of Salem
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside is still open near Dixie Caverns. Right on the banks of the river, but not much here.
VDOT gave the wayside to Roanoke County in Jan 1993 (CTB)
Photos:Mapmikey (1/22/06; 5/8/09)


Name:Montgomery
Location: US 11, 460 - 5 miles north of Christiansburg
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside is wedged between US 11-460 and SR 641, an older alignment of US 11 right at the top of the mountain climb.
VDOT gave this wayside to the Town of Christiansburg in Oct 1991 (CTB).
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/07)


Name:Unnamed
Location: US 11, 220 - near Cloverdale
Existed: 1938-1942/44
Notes: This would be just US 11 now. It appears it was turned into a weigh station. general Roanoke suburbia.
Photos:Mapmikey (5/9/09)


Name: Draper Mtn (later changed to Pulaski 1942/44)
Location: US 11 - 2 miles south of Pulaski
Existed: 1935-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Still around, but I believe it is really not much more than a scenic overlook on Draper Mountain, on both sides of US 11. Pictures of this wayside appeared on the reverse of several 1940's issues.
Photo:Chris E (May 2006); Mapmikey (3/14/08; 12/10/16); March 1955 Virginia Highways Bulletin; 1948 Official


Name: Carter Memorial
Location: US 11 - 11 miles east of Wytheville
Existed: 1941-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
11 miles east of Wytheville would place it on FR 44 near Grahams Forge. I have no idea what the status is. Thanks to Karin, I now know the status:
It is actually on Rt 11, about 3/4 mile off of I-81. It is a large wayside that would be a park in most cities. It has two big parking areas and a bold stream around three sides of the wayside.
There is a picnic pavillion and rest rooms, as well as many table scattered throughout the area. It is also lit for nighttime use and does have some electricity available (outlets mounted on the light poles).
The day we were there it was fairly crowded.

I finally got to drive by here in July 2006. Carter Wayside is huge and is framed by an old alignment of the Lee Hwy. When I passed by in March 2008, there was a closed sign in the median (temporary?)
I happened by again in June 2009 and it was open...
When I drove by in Dec 2016 it was closed but it looked immaculate.
My guess is that it closes during the winter...
Photo:Mapmikey (7/16/06; 3/14/08; 6/5/09); July 1946 Virginia Highways Bulletin


Name:"Turnout"
Location:US 11 - 1.5 miles north of New Market of US 17
Existed: 1935-50?
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Only mention of this wayside I've ever seen is on the VDOT summary of its acquisition. At 0.006 acre this would be difficult to locate today - was only a tiny pullout for a Historical Marker for VMI Cadets at the Battle of New Market.
However, it is still actually there. On the SB side of US 11 the Historical Marker is still there, with a couple interpretive signs added more recently - GMSV.


Name: Elizabeth River
Location: US 13 east of Norfolk (east branch)
Existed: 1950-1962
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This would be near I-264. This is now part of green space for an apartment complex but it appears the foundation of a few fixtures might still be there from GMSV.
In the historic photo, the clearing directly across the river in this vantage point was the wayside (this is looking at NB Military Hwy)
The CTB in 1974 and 1977 provided funds to improve this wayside.
Photos:Virginia Highway Bulletin mid-1940s


Name:Accomack
Location:US 13 - 4 miles north of Accomac CH (at VA 176 jct)
Existed: 1941-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This looks like it was a real rest area by the time it closed. I couldn't find a good place to park to get a little closer...
Photos:Mapmikey (4/26/07)


Name:"Wayside"
Location:US 13 - 0.25 miles south of Tasley
Existed: 1949 for sure
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This would be on US 13 Business today; listed in '49 Route Log only. In April 2007 I could not determine in the field where this was.
HistoricAerials suggest this may have been wedged between US 13 BUsiness and the railroad track where they diverge from one another.


Name:Wellford-Taliaferro
Location:VA 14 - 2 miles east of Gloucester CH
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
I received an e-mail in March 2005 from Chris Petrone affirming this wayside is still up and running. I finally located this one, which appears open but is not signed anywhere.
It is at the intersection of SR 623 and SR 690 (old alignment of VA 14).
This was "Gloucester" Wayside initially. The '49 Route Log lists Gloucester Wayside on VA 14 1.5 miles east of Gloucester CH.
Per the VDOT Waysides data sheet, it was agreed that the Wayside would be named Wellford-Taliaferro in exchange for the land donation.
Photos:Mapmikey (10/19/10)


Name:"Wayside"
Location:VA 14 - 4 miles east of US 17
Existed: 1949 for sure
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Listed in '49 Route Log only. At 0.14 acre this would be difficult to locate today, however, HistoricAerials from 1963 seems to show it, abotu 700 feet south of SR 694 on the south side of VA 14. This was physically destroyed by the construction of the EB carriageway of VA 3-14.


Name:Cary's Creek
Location:US 15 - 1.5 miles north of Dixie
Existed: 1955-1984+
Notes: I drove by here several times. There is no discenible evidence of a wayside unless it was in the old US 15 alignment on the south side of the creek.
HistoricAerials suggest that it was likely on the north side of the creek, wedged in between the old and new alignment of US 15 and access would have to have been from the old alignment.
The March 1954 CTB authorized $500 to develop this wayside.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/23/08)


Name: Willis Mtn
Location: US 15 - 4.5 miles south of Sprouses Corner
Existed:1951-1955
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Drove by this location a couple times 2007-08 but could not find this one.
HistoricAerials suggests it was wedged between an old and current alignment of US 15 on the east side, just north of SR 609.
The Feb 1951 CTB indicates that the original site planned was returned to the donor and that VDOt acquired land nearby for the wayside.


Name:John Douglas
Location: US 19, 58A - 10 miles north of Abingdon
Existed:1938-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Nick Britton reports in December 2004 that this is still maintained as a wayside. Mapmikey made it by here in 2007. The wayside is only accessible from the SB direction.
Photos:Mapmikey (8/18/07); June 1946 Virginia Highway Bulletin


Name: Crab Orchard
Location:US 19-460, 3 miles west of Tazewell
Existed: proposed 1979-83
Notes: In June 1979 (per June 1983 CTB) VDOT entered into an agreement with the Historic Crab Orchard Museum west of Tazewell to co-build water/sewer systems between the museum and 3 acres across the street (US 19-460 Bus western end) as part of a land donation in conjunction with the construction of the Tazewell Bypass. VDOT would build a wayside on the 3 acres.
In June 1983, the agreement was amended and the 3 acres was given to the museum, which has left it as an open field.
In the first photo the wayside location was to the right behind the BUSINESS route postings but in front of the 19-460 reassurance ahead; in the second photo it is the clearing to the right at the stop ahead sign.
Photos: Adam Freohlig (5/6/03), Mapmikey (7/21/07)


Name: Leland-Madison
Location:VA 20, 5 miles east of Orange
Existed: VDOT accepted an 8-acre land donation for this purpose in Oct 1960 (CTB)
Notes: Was already a park when the CTB agreed to spend $6250 to develop it into a wayside.
The wayside evidently was never built but the Leland-Madison Memorial Park is still there with tables and litter barrels, plus the monument, maintained by the Goshen Baptist Association. This commemorates a meeting between James Madison and John Leland where they discussed the guarantee of religious freedom in the US Constitution.

Name:Holiday Lake
Location: VA 24 - Appomattox-Buckingham County Line
Existed:1947-1949
Notes: This wayside is unique for being one of just three waysides turned into a state park.

Name: Appomattox
Location: VA 24 - Appomattox Surrender Grounds
Existed:1934-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This straddles both sides of VA 24, and was shown in pictures on the reverse of several 1940's issues. Per the July 1946 Virginia Highways Bulletin, this was the first Wayside established.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/21/07); 1946 Official


Name:John Marshall
Location:VA 28 - 1 mile east of Midland
Existed:1970-1982/83
Notes: This has been turned into a commuter lot at the southside of the Licking Run crossing.
The historical marker for John Marshall remains.
Photos:Mapmikey (11/26/08)


Name:CW Kestner
Location:US 29 - 1 mile west of Culpeper
Existed:1968/69-1970; unknown date to present
Notes: This is on US 29 Business in front of the hospital in Culpeper in a wedge formed by an older US 29 alignment. This is the only wayside I know of to not be listed on the 1983-84 map to actually exist as a posted wayside (the sign until recently replaced was extremely old looking, so possible omission error on the maps 1970 forward).
Appears to be a picnic area through out the 1970s and beyond per topos and Historic Aerials.
Photo:Mapmikey (11/10/05)


Name:Nelson
Location: US 29 - 7 miles north of Lovingston
Existed: 1962-1971/72; 1979-present
Notes: This is a very nice wayside located across from the US 29-VA 6-VA 6Y intersection.
There is also a historical monument to Hurricane Camille, which is famous for destroying the Mississippi coastline, but as the marker notes, did tremendous damage to this part of Virginia. Ironically, the marker was erected the same year Hurricane Agnes came through and repeated the feat.
VDOT transferred ownership of this wayside (they called it Woods Mill Wayside) to Nelson County in March 1992 (CTB).
Photos:Mapmikey (11/10/05)


Name: Pittsylvania
Location: US 29 - 2 miles south of Alta Vista
Existed: 1935-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is now US 29 Business. Still up and running. The rusty farm equipment and rusty trestle are across the highway from the wayside.
The signed portion is small but an unposted driveway on the other side of Sycamore Creek is also part of the wayside and goes well back off the highway.
VDOT gave all 53+ acres of the wayside to Pittsylvania County in Jan 1983 (CTB) with the ability to get a small bit back if the highway were ever widened.
Photo:Mapmikey (7/22/06)


Name: Campbell (changed to JH Phillips 1973)(chaged to "wayside" 1974)
Location: US 29 - 5 miles south of Lynchburg
Existed:1968/69-1984+
Notes: This is still a labeled wayside ("Phillips") a little south of Lynchburg's suburban reach.
Photo:Mapmikey (7/22/06)


Name: Madison
Location: US 29 - 1 mile south Culpeper County Line
Existed: 1970-1982/83
Notes: This was located at the US 29/SR 631 junction which was reconfigured creating space for the wayside.
The Feb 1982 CTB notes that this wayside was closed due to complaints about the lack of sanitary facilities and CTB authorized the wayside property of 6 acres be put up for sale. It is now part of the property of the Prince Michel Winery.
The 1969 HistoricAerial shows it as does the 1983 Topo map.

Name: "Wayside"
Location: US 29 - near Faulconerville in Amherst County
Existed: at least 1949
Notes:Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Appears only in the '49 Route Log. This was in a triangle formed by SR 671 (old US 29) and Matthews Store Rd (even older alignment of the highway).


Name: Spotswood
Location: US 33 - 7 miles east of Elkton
Existed: 1941-1961
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This would be very close to Skyline Drive, and there is still a pulloff there with some markers/memorials
Photos:Mapmikey (1/17/07)


Name: Pendleton Memorial
Location:US 33-522, at Cuckoo
Existed: VDOT accepted a 1-acre land donation for this purpose in Sept 1962 (CTB)
Notes: Was a proposed wayside that evidently never came to fruition but was supposed to be centered around a memorial to Dr. Henry Pendleton.
The Historical Marker is still present, on US 33-522 a few hundred feet north of the route split in Cuckoo.

Name: Ground Squirrel
Location: US 33 - 5 miles south of Montpelier
Existed: 1941-1968
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is on the south side of the S. Anna River at the boat launch plus a little ways east.
After complaints from neighbors of vandalism and improper conduct, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors requested closure of this wayside and was agreed to by the CTB in Aug 1968.
Photos:Mapmikey (4/23/08)


Name: Goshen Pass
Location: VA 39 - 16 miles west of Lexington
Existed: 1941-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This may be the picture on the back cover of the 1947-49 Official Maps. I hadn't been through here in 10 years, so I don't know its status. Fortunately, A. Smith does: It still exists, and is actually a rather nice place.
Although parking is very limited to just the side of the road in this area, there is plenty to offer. The location has restrooms, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. The river right there also offers an excellent swimming hole.
Whenever you go by there in the summer, it is usually has a bunch of cars parked there.
I finally got through here in May 2006 and took a few photos.
Photos:Mapmikey (5/27/06)


Name: Bland
Location: VA 42 - 2.5 miles east of Mechanicsburg
Existed: 1951-1962
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
I had looked for this one 3 times, including once with Froggie. We thought it was probably near the SR 606 jct but well hidden today.
Thanks to Steven Yonts, the location of this wayside is now known. Turns out we had the well-hidden part correct (photo 2).
It was located across Kimberling Creek from the Bland Correctional Farm, but well down the hill from VA 42's alignment.
There was apparently only a single steep stone stairway (photo 4) to the wayside itself which did have tables and grills. Parking for the wayside was along VA 42 and not much room to do it...(WB view in photo 1)
Although VA 42 once ran through the Correctional Farm and was on the same level as this wayside, the wayside was not in place until after modern VA 42 was built well above the creek level.
Photos:Steven Yonts (May 2017)


Name:Thoroughfare
Location: VA 55 - 4 miles east of The Plains (1/2 mile west of Prince William CL)
Existed: 1952-1954/55
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
VA 55 has been altered at the County Line area to make way for I-66. HistoricAerials do not show a defined wayside here so this may never have been developed much. If it was on the north side of VA 55, it was definitely destroyed by I-66.


Name: Lovers Leap
Location: US 58 - west of Stuart
Existed: 1938-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Lovers Leap is a series of scenic overlooks. Unfortunately the sun angle was bad when I drove by in 2006 and could not get a panorama pic. I returned in 2009 and had better luck with the sun.
Photo:Mapmikey (7/16/06; 2/13/09; 12/10/16)


Name: Toe Ink
Location: US 60 - 13 miles east of Richmond
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: This wayside is wedged between the expanded median of US 60.
Photos:Mapmikey (3/17/07)


Name: Mariners Museum
Location: US 60 - Mariners Museum
Existed: 1938-1953
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Described as being in the wide US 60 ROW near the museum entrance. I believe this is along the US 60 EB direction between VA 312 and nearly the Lake Maury bridge.


Name: Robert E Lee
Location: US 60 - 2 miles east of Buckingham
Existed: 1942/44-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside is still running, near US 15 jct. It is wedged between US 60 and SR 690 (which used to be US 60). The main sign was missing in Jan 2006, but the wayside was still announced 3 miles away on US 60 EB.
The '49 Route Log calls this Buckingham Wayside.
In May 1977 (CTB), VDOT gave additional land to the Daughters of the Confederacy to enlarge the wayside (the land for the wayside came from them to start with).
Photos:Mapmikey (1/21/06; 1/21/07)


Name: Amherst
Location: US 60 - 6 miles east of Amherst
Existed: 1935-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This small wayside is still open on a not-well traveled part of US 60. It is elongated and stretches out on both sides of US 60.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/06)


Name: Ben Salem
Location: US 60 - 1 mile west Buena Vista
Existed: 1961-1984+
Notes:Dan F reported in April 2004 this is a fully posted wayside still in use. I got by here in January 2006. This is fairly big and has restrooms and several picnic tables.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/06)


Name: Long Mtn
Location: US 60 - 18 miles west of Amherst
Existed: 1938-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside is fairly small and located in Oronoco. Not much left but a picnic table.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/06)


Name: Blue Ridge
Location: US 60 - 21 west of Amherst
Existed: 1938-1961
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is less than a half mile east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is no longer a posted wayside. The only thing here is two historical markers and some nice trees.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/06)


Name: Humpback Bridge
Location: US 60 - 3 miles west of Covington
Existed: 1955-present
Notes: This wayside is centered around the Humpback Covered Bridge, pictured on the cover of the 1955 Official Map and appears on most maps from 1955-74. I-64 runs very close behind this wayside near VA 159. Accessed via SR 600.
The October 1953 CTB authorized $5000 to develop this wayside.
Photos:Mapmikey (1/26/07; 7/3/09); 1950 Virginia Highways Bulletin


1955 Official

1961 Official

1965 Official

1973 Official

1973 Scenic (all photos on this
map were reverse images of the 1973 Official!)

1974 Official


Name: Bear Creek Lake
Location: US 60 - west of Cumberland Courthouse
Existed: 1945/47-1950
Notes: D. McGrann wrote that this is now Bear Creek State Park, which was created in 1962.

Name: Fries
Location: VA 94 - near Fries
Existed: 1951-1961
Notes: I located this in July 2006 on my first drive up VA 94. No longer a posted wayside, but still maintained as a roadside stop overlooking the New River just south of the town of Fries.
Photo:Mapmikey (7/16/06, 1/21/09)


Name: Dublin
Location: VA 100 - 5 miles north of Dublin
Existed: 1951-1975/77
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This wayside was destroyed by the twinning of VA 100 in the mid-70s. Per 1963 HistoricAerials it was located in what is now the SB lanes about 1/4 mile north of SR 627. One of the sole median trees there now was part of the wayside.
The Cleburne Wayside below was built as a replacement.


Name: Cleburne
Location: VA 100 - 3 miles north of Dublin
Existed: 1975/77-1984+
Notes: Chris E reports:
Still exists. Not much to it. parking for perhaps six cars; two lone, unsheltered picnic tables; no trees. Close to roadway; surrounded by fields, mostly corn fields. State Historical marker "Battle of Cloyd's Mountain" - where General Jenkins was "repulsed".
This is right across from access to the Dublin Airport.
Photos:Mapmikey (3/14/08)


Name: Farley Memorial
Location: VA 100 - 4 miles south of Pearisburg
Existed: 1951-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Still a working wayside on the banks of Sugar Run
Photos:Mapmikey (3/14/08)


Name: Emanuel's Hollow
Location: US 219 - near Rich Creek
Existed: 1938-1951
Notes: This was on the abandoned section of US 460 west of Rich Creek.
Though closed for a very long time, VDOT did not give the land (1.1 acres) up until Aug 1999 (CTB).

Name: Blackwater River
Location: US 220 - 3.5 miles north of Rocky Mount
Existed: 1971/72-1984+
Notes: This is likely an early alignment of US 220 or the secondary road that preceded it. It appears to have straddled both sides of the highway.
VDOT gave this wayside to Franklin County in Nov 1991 (CTB).
Photos:Mapmikey (4/13/07; 1/16/10)


Name: Ridgeway
Location: US 220 - 3 miles south of Ridgeway
Existed: 1970-1984+
Notes: This has to be right at the North Carolina State Line. I haven't been there in a long time, so the status is unknown. HistoricAerials doesn't show anything obvious.
The Dec 1964 CTB authorized $3100 to construct this wayside.

Name: Afton
Location: US 250 - Afton
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: This is still around, as basically a scenic overlook southward just east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Across the street (and 40 feet up) is one of the I-64 EB Scenic Overlooks.
Afton Wayside appears on the 1979 Official
Photo:Mapmikey (11/10/05, 5/27/06, 10/14/06); 1979 Official


Name: Dahlgren
Location: US 301 at Potomac River
Existed: 1951-present
Notes: This wayside is still here, and it housed a Virginia Welcome Center until the late 2000s. This wayside has a small beach directly on the Potomac River.
In March 1984 (CTB), VDOT was closing this wayside but instead gave it to King George County to run.
Photos:Mapmikey (2/16/07)


Name: Potts Mtn
Location: VA 311 - 12 miles north of New Castle
Existed: 1938-present
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
This is a scenic overlook looking westward, with a hairpin double driveway off VA 311. I wouldn't recommend heading in here right after an ice storm like I did...looked like a big drop over the edge.
The last two photos are a summertime excursion.
VDOT gave the wayside to the National Forest Service in Feb 1992 (CTB).
Photo: Mapmikey, 1/26/07, 8/30/08,


Name: Peters Mtn
Location: VA 311 - WV State Line
Existed: 1938-1942/44; 1951-1975/77
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
I swear I saw a sign for this when I drove 311 north to 18 in 2001, which if true, makes this the only three-time open wayside. HB Elkins sent the second photo confirming the posting.
It is not specifically labeled as a wayside at its location, which is essentially a pull-off at the state line.
VDOT gave the wayside to the National Forestry Service in March 1989 (CTB), noting that the wayside was closed in the mid 1970s from frequent vandalism.
Photos: Mapmikey, 1/26/07 and 7/3/09; HB Elkins, June 27, 2007


Name: Potoma
Location: US 340 - at Potomac River
Existed: 1951-1984+
Notes: There is no designated wayside anymore, but US 340 along here has pullovers for canoeists.
In June 1980 (CTB), VDOT gave the wayside to the National Park Service.
Photo:Mapmikey (1/23/09); 1950 Virginia Highways Bulletin


Name: Goodwyn Lake
Location: US 360 - south of Burkeville
Existed: 1945/47-1950
Notes: I believe this combined with Prince Edward Lake wayside to become Twin Lakes State Park. From the west side, the state park is easier to get to. The road leading to the lake channels through some serious kudzu.
Photo: Mapmikey, 7/22/06


Name: Prince Edward Lake
Location: US 360 - south of Burkeville
Existed: 1945/47-1950
Notes: This is the only wayside that was specifically listed as "for negroes." This implies the waysides were subject to segregation laws of that era. I believe this with Goodwyn Lake wayside combined to become Twin Lakes State Park. The historical marker is directly on US 360 while the wayside/state park is a couple miles north.
Photo: Mapmikey, 7/15/06


Name: Chesterfield
Location: US 360 - west of today's Woodlake
Existed: 1976
Notes: D. McGrann wrote about this one, which I have not found on any VDOT map, but he remembers as being in the median of US 360. I found this one in July 2006 west of Skinquarter, quite abandoned.
The Dec 1964 CTB authorized $2800 to construct this wayside.
Photo: Mapmikey, 7/15/06


Name: Sandy River
Location: US 460 - 2.75 miles east of Farmville
Existed: 1974-1984+
Notes: I believe I failed to located this one in 2007. I thought it was on US 460 Business east of Farmville near the bypass. No longer a wayside, it appears a mobile home lot was on the property more recently.
2.75 miles though puts it at SR 630 near the Sandy River bridge so if it were there it was really small.
Photo: Mapmikey, 11/10/07


Name: Lynchburg
Location: US 460 West corporate limit of Lynchburg
Existed: 1938-1962
Notes: This is now US 221, and the Lynchburg city limits back then was around Lynchburg College. No longer a wayside but discernible just west of old VA 291.
From Paul Cole
The city annexation of 1926 ended at Blackwater Creek/College Lake. The wayside on old US 460/ Va 221 was just outside the city on the west side of the Creek. Further annexation in 1958 included the area of the wayside. In 1966 the state vacated the property and it returned to Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg). There was still a turnout area in the 1970's, mostly used by fishermen and a few picnickers. The 2021 photo includes the construction area of a new 4 lane bridge on the northside of the dam.
The Dam (which is also Va 221/ Lakeside Dr.) overflowed a few years ago and was in danger of collapse. It made national news. The plan is to remove the dam, draining the lake, and making it a wetland after the bridge is completed.

Photos: Mapmikey, 12/11/09; overhead shots courtesy of Paul Cole

1941 view

1972 view

2021 view


Name: Oxford Furnace
Location: US 460 - 5 miles east of Lynchburg
Existed: 1941-1984+
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Information from Matt Day -
I can remember when we first moved to L'burg, there was a small pullout there, so you could read the historical marker (although I can't remember if there were any tables or anything there),
but that went away in the late 90s/early 00s, when the intersection at US 460 and Oxford Furnace Road was improved.
This area is down in a relatively narrow valley. I don't remember if the historical marker is still there or not.

The historical marker is still present and per topos and HistoricAerials it appears the wayside was south of US 460 just east of Oxford Furnace Rd.
In Dec 1981 the CTB put the wayside up for sale.
Given that the furnace is really old it is odd that is has now become inaccessible.


Name: Montvale
Location: US 460 - 1 mile west of Montvale
Existed: 1970-1982/83
Notes: This was located at the corner of US 460 and SR 698 south.
The Dec 1964 CTB authorized $6200 to construct this wayside.
In Dec 1981 (CTB), due to difficulties in policing this area, the CTB put the wayside up for sale and it is now under private ownership.
The side-of-the-road parking is essentially still there though.
Oddly, Virginia's MUTCD Sign Design Manual still uses Montvale Wayside as its example.

Name: Evergreen
Location: US 460 - 4 miles east of Appomattox
Existed: 1970-1984+
Notes: I believe this is now the truck inspection area at very near the jct with SR 630 (old VA 132).
Photos: Mapmikey, 11/10/07


Name: Grassy Creek
Location: US 460 - 1.5 miles west of Tazewell County Line
Existed: 1971/72-1984+
Notes: This appears to have been located at US 460 and SR 727 which is an old alignment of US 460. There does not seem to be anything there now though access would've likely been from the old road.

Name: Rich Creek
Location: US 460 at Rich Creek
Existed: 1975/77-1984+
Notes: This was not a resurrection of the Emanuel's Hollow wayside. I believe this was located at the corner of US 460 and Old Virginia Ave on the south side of Rich Creek and is now an abandoned Used Car lot.
Per the Dec 1984 CTB, the Wayside was closed in 1983 (declared a nuissance to VDOT). In Dec 1984 VDOT gave 2.25 acres of it to the Town of Rich Creek.
In May 1985 (CTB), VDOT gave Rich Creek 18.5 more acres to expand the wayside.

Name: "Wayside"
Location: US 460 souh of Blacksburg
Existed: At least 1949
Notes: Click on the image to the left for VDOT's summary of the acquisition and operation of the wayside from the 1950s...
Appears only in the '49 Route Log. This would be on US 460 Business today. HistoricAerials seem to show it located on the EB side, where today it is a restaurant on the south edge of the Kroger parking lot.
Historic Aerials shows it was destroyed for a shopping center between 1963-70.


Name: Toots Creek
Location: US 501 at Toots Creek, Halifax
Existed: unknown
Notes: Appears only in May 1956 CTB Minutes
Photos: Mapmikey, 9/23/06


Name: South Boston
Location:US 501 at NCL of South Boston
Existed: The May 1956 CTB rejected a request from the halifax County Supervisors to build a wayside at the NCL of South Boston due to the Toots Creek Waysdie being nearby.
Notes: The NCL of South Boston at that time was at a small brook that crosses US 501 at Greenway Dr.
HistoricAerials are vague whether anything park-like existed then. Today the brook has been moved and the Hupps Mill Plaza sits on the area that the wayside likely would have gone.

Name: Cyrus McCormick
Location: SR 606 near Steeles Tavern
Existed: not on VDOT maps
Notes: This is a signed wayside, owned by Virginia Tech University. This is wedged between SR 606 and an old alignment of SR 606 (SR 937). It was very picturesque. The second picture shows its posting on US 11 near VA 56.

Name: Woodridge
Location: SR 640 in Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Existed: not on VDOT maps
Notes: This is a signed wayside, apparently maintained by the State Foresty Service. I was just trying a short cut from VA 24 to US 15 when I stumbled across this on unpaved SR 640. This is near Holiday Lake State Park.
Photos: by Mapmikey (5/22/09)

 

Page last modified 30 November 2021