In going through some stored items which had belonged to his mother (who was a Snidow), one of our cousins found these drawings of Christiansburg dated 1856 and 1857. They are pen and ink with some color added. On the top picture, the writing at the bottom says "Mr. Woolwine house. To R. D. Montague on the hill. Mr. George Clair the oldest settler now living in Christiansburg 1856." In December 2013, Dr. John Nicolay graciously contacted us with additional info on these drawings....The two Christiansburg views are by Lewis Miller, a carpenter by trade, but artist as well. He documented life in Virginia/Pennsylvania in a wealth of his travels. The Abby Aldridge Rockefeller Folk Art Center in Williamsburg has an extensive collection of them. The reference to Charles Taylor Edie, 1857 on the drawing is a note on the death of his nephew Charles who was killed by a fellow student at Hampton-Sydney College near Farmville, VA. The home referred to is actually that of Charles’ father, a prominent physician in the area, Joseph Edie. Lewis Miller is buried in Craig Cemetery and Charles is buried in Sunset Cemetery, both in Christiansburg.

On the following print, the writing at the top says "The western portion of the town as follows, Charles T. Edie Jan. 20th 1857". At the bottom the writing says "from Wallhall Corner, to Dr. Kents new residence, out west."

ABOUT Christiansburg: Located in Montgomery County, VA (adjacent to Giles Co.), it was named after William Christian (c. 1743 – April 9, 1786) who was an Indian fighter, Continental soldier, militiaman and politician from the Colony of Virginia who served in the era of the American Revolution. He was a signatory to the Fincastle Resolutions and founder of Fort William (now Louisville, Kentucky). Christian helped to negotiate the Treaty of Long Island – making peace between the Overmountain Men and the majority of the Cherokee tribes in 1777.

Davy Crockett lived in Christiansburg for some time and was bonded at Elijah Griffith's Hattery Shop which was located at today's 41 West Main Street. That business went bankrupt and Crockett was unable to pay his own debts. Subsequently, John Snider, Jr. (??), opened another hattery further up the block at today's 29 West Main Street.

Daniel Boone stayed in Christiansburg for a time. Among the records at the courthouse are a warrant for his arrest due to non-payment of debt. Christiansburg was the site of the Lewis/McHenry duel, known for being the first recorded duel with rifles in Virginia. "Christansburgh" is the original spelling of the town.