Virginian Railway operations in Narrows, 1954. Electric locomotives are the El-3A's that were featured in my story, "The Crossing." Power plant stood where Semco Electric is located today. A two-laned route 460 is shown, with Texaco sign where is now a Burger King.

Another view of the caverns found below the Sentinel Hills section of Narrows. This photo shows one of the surface to deep levels under ground. Part of an elaborate lighting system is shown (dances were held in the beauty of this place on weekends). Photo dates from the 1920's

Downtown Narrows... 1904. The tall white building at left center is the Masonic Lodge where today a post-office is found. Buildings just above the lodge are the Snowflake Tannery works. The three houses at bottom right are facing what today is Monroe Street.

Before a hotel built of stone... before "Dirty Dancing." Mountian Lake, 1922

An oddity for a gasoline station. It was located where Main Street in Rich Creek intersects today with route 219. Operated between 1930-1947, the main business was conducted in the "nose," restrooms were in rear fuselage. A stocked fishpond was just below the nose.

Just weeks before it's opening for traffic, the Narrows bridge in use today. Old span was razed soon thereafter. A dental office is now found at lower right foreground.

Engine 2167 headed east out of Narrows, 1940. Norfolk-Western depot and old bridge in right background.

A 1922 aerial view of Narrows. Right center is the Narrows Hosiery Mill and Snowflake Tannery. The dark area at bottom left is today's duck pond. Three railroad depots can be seen in the photo.

The Celco area soon after a new bridge was opened to westbound traffic about 1977. Parts of Leas- McVitty tannery was still standing (at bottom corner just to right of brown field).

Another 1922 aerial view of Pearisburg. Buildings at bottom center are Pearisburg Elementary and High Schools. Small building between is school cafeteria. The menu featured one item only... a thin, watery vegetable soup with zero beef chunks! Top center is where Celanese would build it's facility 17 years later in 1939.

Virginian Railway power plant in 1925, one year after opening. Semco stands on the site today. Note the Fletcher Mountain area at top almost completely devoid of trees. Land was used for pasturing in those days. Bridge was razed in 1951 when the span used today was dedicated.

Photo taken April 13, 1944. Reece Lumber does buisiness today where the two houses are seen in lower right corner. Note extensive grazing land on Sentinel Point mountain of that day.

A 1924 aerial view of the nearly completed Virginian Railway power plant. This facility would produce electricity to power the railraod's electric locomotives operating between Mullens, WV. and Roanoke. Black roofed building to the right of stacks were housing for convicts building first substancial roads through area. Rich Creek is at top of picture.

Dust is from initial TNT charge that failed to bring the building down. Building in left bottom corner still stands today.

Picture taken three days before Virginian Railway ceased to exist. White building at left is where Quik-Lube does buisiness today.

Aerial view of Narrows... 1922. A swinging bridge is seen just below duck pond dam. It was a popular meeting place for young people of that day. Fodder shocks are seen in several fields. Narrows High School would open nine years later at dark area seen in bottom left corner (at the intersection of today's Mary and Monroe Streets).

Aerial view of Pearisburg... 1922. Road at bottom left is present day route 100 leading south to Dublin. Several landmarks are pinpointed.

Pearisburg, 1922 from a different angle. Bunker Hill section of town is at left.

The famous Eggleston Springs Hotel. This facility was widely-known. for it's hospitality and fair prices. Date of photo is uncertain, but probably about 1910.

The cavern located neath the Sentinel Hills section of Narrows (picture dates from about 1925). A huge attraction for both locals and tourists, changes in land ownership and the Great Depression brought about it's demise about 1931.