With the banks of the James River at Historic Jamestowne serving as the backdrop, APVA Preservation Virginia announced Tuesday afternoon that Elliston was one of nine places listed on the 2008 Most Endangered Sites in Virginia.

In addition to Elliston, Mill Mountain in Roanoke was also named to the list. Other sites across the Commonwealth include Arcola School in Loudoun County, The Lee Shopping Center in Arlington County, Jolly Pond Dam in James City County, Rural Places throughout Virginia, Southside Virginia, including Surry, Southampton, Sussex, and Prince George counties, for the Navy's Proposed Outlying Landing Field and Archaeological Resources in Developing Areas.

In naming Elliston to the list, the APVA stated:  “Initially, it appeared that an intermodal facility to be constructed in Elliston in eastern Montgomery County, which would serve as a transfer point for freight shipping between trucks and rail, would remove some of the truck traffic from I-81 but now Norfolk Southern officials state that will not be the case. This intermodal facility is part of a larger multi state freight rail improvement project referred to as the Heartland Corridor Initiative. The facility would be constructed by Norfolk Southern with support from the Federal Highway Administration, the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the states of West Virginia and Ohio."

As for naming Mill Mountain as an endangered site, the APVA said, “Mill Mountain is one of the few mountains in the nation located within a city. The City of Roanoke owns and operates the 639-acre Mill Mountain Park on and around the top of the mountain. Zoned for recreation and open space, this popular destination offers picnic facilities, walking trails, two scenic overlooks with views of much of the Roanoke Valley, a 6-acre children’s zoo, and a Discovery Center with educational exhibits focusing on the environment. The famous illuminated Mill Mountain Star was erected by merchants more than 50 years ago.

The threat to the mountain is a proposal by Valley Forward, a new organization of young professionals who want to build a Rockledge Center with a restaurant, coffee shop, community and meeting rooms.

Opponents, including the Preservation Foundation, the Mill Mountain Conservancy and many individual residents contend that the proposed project would remove a number of large trees, take up much space for parking and bring a commercial flavor to the park. They point out that the initial Rockledge Inn closed for lack of business. No developer has publicly expressed an interest in the project.

The Mill Mountain Conservancy said Roanoke's Mill Mountain Management Plan and the city's comprehensive plan do not allow a restaurant or additional parking area but the plans do speak of the strong public sentiment for keeping the mountain natural.”

In 2000 APVA Preservation Virginia, recognizing the threats to cultural resources from neglect, abandonment, inappropriate growth and development pressures, introduced its Most Endangered Historic Sites program. It was realized that an annual listing of the sites considered to be most endangered would serve to raise awareness of the threatened historic, archaeological and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia thereby giving communities a tool to build support on a local level for the conservation and preservation of these irreplaceable resources.

APVA Preservation Virginia is committed to working with local governments and like-minded preservation groups to ensure that if a Virginia site is selected for a proposed outlying landing field that the Navy works diligently to protect the historic resources and landscapes that would be negatively impacted.

The final designee to the list of Most Endangered Historic Sites is Archaeological Resources in Developing Areas. Because of its long and rich history, Virginia has many sites of archaeological interest, both historic and pre-historic. Often these sites are unknown until construction activity turns up obvious evidence of prior use. Once disturbed the stories these sites can help tell are lost forever. It is not just the artifacts that come out of the ground, but also the context in which they are found that are important. Thus sites of potential archeological value need to be systematically identified and investigated before they are disturbed.

Some counties and municipalities have enacted local ordinances to require prior identification and appropriate protection of archaeological sites prior to initiating development. More localities, particularly those experiencing rapid growth, need to extend protection to such sites.

APVA Preservation Virginia by its mission is committed to help protect these endangered sites and to ensure the vitality of all of the Commonwealth's historic and cultural resources for the enjoyment and betterment of future generations.

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written by Christianburg Resident, May 14, 2008

Sounds like to me, they named Elliston an endangered historical site in hopes of keeping the intermodal port out. Same thing with Mill Mountain, hoping they won't build anything on the side of the mountain.

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