Farm Photos

This partial view of the farm and house is across Cove Road or county road 608. Morris Knob, around 3400 feet, is the tallest mountain in the area. The Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains on earth, some say 300 to 500 million years. In comparison, the Himalayan Mountains are said to be 40 million years old. For more history on Tazewell County and the area, click here.

The Clinch Mountain Range circles the Cove and on the other side is the Jefferson National Forest. It's not unusual for the fog to spill over the mountain and, eventually, drift into the valley. 

The farm has a dedicated, approximately 9 acre hay meadow. There have been years we've gotten three cuttings but lately, I've opted for one cutting of 30 to 40 5x5 round bales that weigh about 1000-1100 pounds each. This hay has been used for horses, sheep, alpacas and cattle; what's not used on the farm is sold. During winter, animals are turned onto this pasture to graze; all pastures have access to water and three pastures have run-in shelter. 

The rear view of the house shows, from far left the white poplar sided studio, small brown garden shed, treated with water seal, and the roofs of the barn, garage and stable. 

The stables were sided in rough cut hemlock and, with the hand cut limestone foundation, should last another hundred years. There are five stalls inside and on building left is equipment storage in front and, in back, animal run-in shelter. On top, the hay loft is able to store a few thousand square bales of hay and on the right is more equipment storage and a run-in shelter. In the rear of this building are two small, fenced lots, both with water access. 

Downstairs Photos

Working kitchen fireplace  

wormy chestnut mantle

Fireplace re-built using bricks made on farm

Hand crafted birch cupboard, 

shelves can be repositioned

1914 Acorn cook stove

7 propane gas burners

3 electric ovens and 1 warming oven

(restored by Erickson's Antique Stoves)

Hand crafted sun room, approx. 33x16
hand crafted walnut floor with wood cut from neighboring farm

2 person Whirlpool jetted tub, next to sun room, 

Handicapped accessible shower in tiled bathroom, 

propane heater

all 2.5 bathrooms are tiled

Woodstock soapstone stove
Fireplace and chimney liner are new and chimney cleaned yearly.

fireplace was made with slave made brick from the 1800's

Lassie was filmed in this valley and is the farm shown on the poster.

Downstairs front hall with

refinished heart pine floor.

Original heart pine floors throughout house

Front porch, toward head of valley

Front porch , toward intersection of Rt 91 and Rt 608

Farm and Land Photos

The farm's 27+ acres are across County Rt. 608 and are on the corner of State Rt 19 and County Rt 608. There is approximately 1/2 mile of road frontage on both roads; Morris Knob is in the background left, elevation approximately 3400 feet. Most of the land in this valley has been in the same family for many generations, some eight or nine generations. This farm has been owned by two families since the War Between the States. In the 1880's, Mr. Shadrach White bought the original brick house, barns, stables and other outbuildings plus a few thousand acres of land for $300.00 in back taxes. Yes, that's three hundred dollars! His family sold the farm to Mr. Gillespie, Dave's family on his mother's side, and in 1995 we bought the house, buildings and 27 1/3 acres.

Prior to Anglo's coming here, the valley was home to a Shawnee tribe; across the road from the house, the scorched earth of village fires are still visible. One of southwest Virginia's major Civil War battles was fought along State Rt 19, bordering the farm, and across the mountain to Saltville.

360 degree stellar views. The property line goes to the tree at edge of State Rt. 91, in the distance, to the right of the chicken house or garden shed. This building does have electrical lines. 

Front yard has mature Oak, Sugar Maple, Tamarack and Norwegian spruce trees.

On other side of wooden fence is County Rt. 608. Land across the road belongs to neighbors. The drilled well is 650 feet and delivers 75 GPM (gallons per minute). The drilling company believes they may have hit an artesian aquifer.

View from side yard includes two pastures belonging to farm and land beyond belonging to neighbors.

On left, house with sun room, 12 x 12 studio building with heat and a.c. to the rear and mature walnut tree on right. The mountains beyond are owned either by a neighbor or are part of the Jefferson National Forrest. Little Tumbling is across the mountain and is one of the top ten trout streams in the USA.

Photo taken February 2014 and includes two farm pastures and beyond, land belonging to neighbors. Clinch Mountain Range is on left and is part of Jefferson National Forrest.