Places

BUCHANAN SWINGING BRIDGE

One of Buchanan’s most recognized architectural structures is the Buchanan Swinging Bridge. The Bridge is 366 feet long, 57.5 feet tall and the only one of its type to cross the James River. Portions of the bridge date back to 1851 and have witnesses Hunter’s Civil War Raid, the rerouting of U.S. Route 11, and numerous floods. In 1999 the Swinging Bridge was recognized as a National Register Historic Landmark.

Portions of the large stone piers rising from the James River were constructed in 1851 as part of the Buchanan Turnpike Company’s Toll Bridge. Toll for every person to pass through this wood covered bridge was five cents with an additional five cents for each horse, mule or oxen and five cents for each wagon. On June 13, 1864 the covered bridge was burned by Confederate General McCausland in an effort to prevent Federal troops from crossing the James River on their way to Lynchburg. The bridge was rebuilt following the war but washed away in a flood of 1877. At this time, the R&A Railroad Company rebuilt a toll free covered bridge. In 1897 this wood covered bridge was replaced with a steel bridge that remained in use until 1938.

In July of 1937 construction of the current concrete James River Bridge was started with an agreement with the Town under Mayor C. W. Blount to maintain pedestrian access to Pattonsburg via the swinging bridge. On July 4, 1938, the new bridges were dedicated by former Governor E. Lee Trinkle as speaker. For more than 150 years, portions of the Buchanan Swinging Bridge have played a critical role in the Town of Buchanan’s history while providing a scenic pedestrian crossing earning it the role as symbol of the Town of Buchanan and is proudly featured on the Town Seal.

VA CIVIL WAR TRAILS – HUNTER’S RAID

Buchanan invites you to explore some less familiar sites associated with America’s greatest drama, the Civil War. Four of these Buchanan landmarks are noted by Virginia Civil War Trail Markers found throughout the Town. Each marker narrates the rich story of those who experienced triumph and tragedy during the war and its impact on our rural community.

During the Civil War, the Town of Buchanan served as an important Confederate supply depot for shipment of agricultural produce and pig iron to Richmond via the James River and Kanawha Canal. Buchanan Farmers provided the Confederate quartermaster with beef, cotton, yarn and corn.

Buchanan also provided troops for the Confederate war effort, most notably for the Botetourt Artillery, a unit which distinguished itself in the defense of Vicksburg. John W. Johnston headed the Botetourt Artillery in January 1863. Buchanan banker William Douthat’s sons Henry and William served as Second Lieutenants in the Botetourt Artillery. William Douthat Died in the defense of Vicksburg in May 1863 and was succeeded by Frances Obenchain, son of merchant Thomas Obenchain. Enlisted men from Buchanan in the Botetourt Artillery included Oliver Haney, son of Hotel Botetourt keeper Jacob Haney; Ferdinand Woltz, son of tailor William Woltz; and J. Zimmerman, son of saddler John Zimmerman.

Federal General David Hunter marched through Buchanan on June 13, 1864 on his ill-fated raid in Lynchburg. The following day Confederate General J.D. Imboden reported that Hunter had driven Confederate troops under McCausland’s command out of Buchanan. No other official military accounts of the engagement in Buchanan have been found, however, period letters tell how McCausland burned the covered bridge over the James River before leaving igniting a fire destroying close to thirty buildings.

Personal letters of the era also tell of the devastation to Buchanan caused by the war including the burning of Col. John Anderson’s home known as Mount Joy, the three day Federal occupation of Oak Hill, the Anchorage, the Presbyterian Manse as well as other private homes and offices throughout Town. The battle flag of the Botetourt Artillery was said to have been made from the wedding dress of Cassandra Anderson, owner of Mount Joy.

The Town celebrates its Civil War Heritage each year during the Buchanan Civil War History Weekend scheduled for the last weekend of April. For additional information pick up a Hunter’s Raid Civil War Trail brochure at the Buchanan Town Hall (540) 254 - 1212, or, many of the downtown business locations.

THE BUCHANAN THEATRE

Winner of Valley Conservation Council’s “Heart of the City Award”

Once an icon of modernity, the familiar 1950’s Buchanan Theatre neon sign is now a vintage artifact. Each Friday and Saturday evening patrons of the Buchanan Theatre are greeted by the familiar hum of the red and green neon and the scent of buttered popcorn floating through the doors. Inside an Art Deco Period concession stand featuring streamline curves, ornamental popcorn machine and beautiful pressed metal ceiling transport visitors back to an earlier era when going to the movie was an experience.

Built in 1914, the Buchanan Theatre was designated as a National Register Historic Landmark in 1999. Since reopening, the Buchanan Theatre has been honored by City Magazine with their “Best of the City” Awards as “Best Place to See a Film 2004.” The Buchanan Theatre has also been recognized as being named one of the venues for the Roanoke Valley Film Festival 2005 & 2006 and designated as the winner of the 2008 “Heart of the City Award” given by the Valley Conservation Council.

You and your family are invited to become part of this award winning Buchanan effort. To join Standing Room Only, or, to make a donation to this non profit agency check out the website at www.buchanantheatre.com or call (540) 254-1155.

WILSON WAREHOUSE/ COMMUNITY HOUSE

One of the Buchanan’s best known pre Civil War structures is the Wilson Warehouse. Completed in 1839 for John S. Wilson as a combined store, warehouse and private residence. The John S. Wilson Company was the chief shipper and receiver of goods during “Canal Days” when Buchanan acted as the western terminus of the James River & Kanawha Canal.

The Wilson Warehouse remained in the family for almost a century. Ownership of the Wilson Warehouse passed from John S. Wilson to his son, Charles L. Wilson and daughter, Anna L. Allen, then passed to her children Anna L. and Edwin W. Edwin purchased the house outright and turned one room over to the Town Improvement Society in 1927. In 1936, Oscar Caperton Huffman, president of Continental Can Company purchased the Wilson Warehouse. After extensive renovations of the House under the direction of architect, Stanhope Johnson of Lynchburg, Mr. Huffman presented the building to the Town Improvement Society. On April 30, 1938 the Town Improvement Society and 300 guest gathered at the historic building for its dedication as the “Community House”. Since that time, the Community House has been an important historic landmark and social center of the community.

The massive structure features a center hall passage flanked by one large room on the west side and two equal sized rooms on the east side. The building has two front doors because the left side was used as the Wilson’s business and the other was used as the Wilson’s private residence. The top floor retains the original elevator system used to hoist cargo for storage. All of the rooms retain their original woodwork, floors, fireplaces and mantels. Of special note are the original carpenter locks and brass hardware on the doors throughout the house. In the front hall you can see the mechanics for the original doorbell as well as the free hanging staircase, all of these details exemplify the craftsmanship of the period.

Today the Wilson Warehouse/Community House is used for receptions, public meetings and tours. To find out about renting this historic home for your celebration contact the Buchanan Town Hall at (540) 254–1212.