On the banks of the New River sits a small community known for its mining of lead and zinc from the time of the Revolutionary War and Civil War to the its end in December of 1981. It was this small community that would get its name from a family of miners and business men who allowed it to emerge in the 1790s. This family was the Austin’s and the community would earn the name Austinville.
Moses and Stephen Austin were brothers from Connecticut. They were businessmen, looking for a way to make their fortunes in the new United States of America. They decided to travel to the wild lands of Southwest Virginia in pursuit of the vast mining opportunities, particularly the state owned lead mines in what is now Wythe County. Moses convinced the State to award him his brother with a contract. They would take over ownership of the mines as long as most of the lead they were producing was used in Virginia and that they would provide the lead for the new leading of the capitol roof in Richmond. In exchange, the State would pay way above regular price for the lead to be used by the capitol and its militias. It was this contract and its stipulations that allowed the birth of Austiville, VA in 1792 under the management of the Austins. The site would employee many locals in the areas and would attract new immigrants from all over to work at the mines, including experienced miners and smelters from England like Thomas Jackson who would one day take ownership of the mines and build the Shot Tower.
Though the mining site grew and the town began to flourish, the Austins were not able to keep up with the demands of the Virginia Government. Moses began to look West for relief. He found it in the promising lead mines of Breton, now known as Potosi, Missouri in 1798. Moses and his family, including his son Stephen, began to make a new living in Missouri, but wanted to go even further. The man known as the founder of the American Lead Industry would lead his men to the first Anglo-American settlement west of and back from the Mississippi River. There he would completely take over the lead industry using techniques learned from English smelters, gaining a wealth of $190,000 in 1798. This period in the lead would become known as the “Moses Austin Period” and would not be matched until heavy machinery was introduced to mining and smelting after the Civil War.
But this wealth would not last. With the War of 1812, economic depressions, and the United States deciding on whether to contain itself or expand across the continent, Moses, like others, were trying their hand at banking. He would help found the Bank of St. Louis, the first back west of the Mississippi River, that failed in 1819, Moses lost most of what money he had left.
Unable to get away from debt, Moses decided that the only way to save himself from economic ruin was the to move further west. He would develop a plan in 1819 to settle the first American Colony in Spanish Texas. Through many political meetings, some of which turned out to be people he befriended on his way to build his lead empire, Moses was able to build a relationship with the Spanish Government and receive permission to build his Texas colony.
Moses charged vigorously to Texas, with his son by his side. He was ready for the challenge of settling in a new land-he had done it before-but he was older now and the fate would catch up with him again. On a trip he suffered through four weeks of cold and wet weather, developing pneumonia before reaching home. On his return, Moses got the news he was waiting for, that the Spanish Crown awarded him and his group permission to settle. Moses put all his time and energy in preparing for the “Texas Venture,” but not into his health. Two days before he died, Moses told his son, as his last request, that he must make it to the new land of Texas and fulfill his final list. Stephen F. Austin, born at the Austiville Mines so long ago, would do it for his father and become “the Father of Texas,” setting the ground work for the 27th State to join the United States in 1845.
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New River Trail is a 57-mile linear park that follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The park parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through four counties and the city of Galax. The trail's gentle slope makes it great for visitors of all ages to hike, bike and ride horseback. The park's Foster Falls area offers canoe and bike rentals; boat launches; gift shops; and a horse arena. Fishing is popular, and primitive campsites are available in designated areas. The park's Hoover Mountain Biking Area is also popular with those seeking extra adventure. There are access points to the trail at Allisonia, Chestnut Yard, Cliffview, Dannelly Park (near Galax), Draper, Dora Junction (near Pulaski), Foster Falls, Fries, Galax, Gambetta, Hiwassee and Ivanhoe. Horse trailer parking is available at Allisonia, Austinville, Cliffview, Dora Junction, Draper, Fries, Ivanhoe and the Mark E. Hufeisen Horse Complex.
This cache is located within the boundaries of New River Trail State Park and placed with permission from Park Management. Parking fees apply, day searching only, please CITO and Leave No Trace