THE OVERLOOK Virtual Cache
This cache has been locked, but it is available for viewing.
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Historical town of Saltville
I HAVE BEEN PUT ON ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD, SO IF YOU E-MAIL ME, IT COULD TAKE AWHILE FOR ME TO GET BACK WITH YOU
I have changed this cache to a virtual because of the misfits that ran off with my cache container.
To get credit for the cache answer the following question. When was the Historical Saltville Over Look monument erected? The monument is to the far left of the Over Look. Go ahead and post your find then e-mail me the answer, if you are wrong I will delete your log and e-mail you back.
This cache is on your way to historical town of Saltville. It should be an easy find. While you are at the site take a minute to enjoy the wonderful view of Saltville. Saltville has a lot of history behind it so enjoy your visit.
Saltville is one of Southwest Virginia's most historic towns. Throughout time, the valley has been home to prehistoric animals, Indians, members of Virginia's and America's most prominent families, Union armies and industry, all in search of one thing-salt. Salt is the town's reason for being.
The Saltville area has a rich history of paleontological discoveries dating from 1782 when Arthur Campbell presented "bones of uncommon size" to Thomas Jefferson who recorded the discovery in his Notes on the State of Virginia. The following institutes have conducted surveys in Saltville: 1916-Carnegie Institute, 1949-University of Tennessee, 1966 and 1967- VPI and the Smithsonian Institution, late 1970's-Emory and Henry College, 1980/85-Radford University, 1991/1998-/Smithsonian Institution and The Virginia Museum of Natural History, 1999-Museum of the Middle Appalachians. Excavations have also produced rich finds of an American Indian culture.
The historic homes which remain in the valley tell their own histories and those of the families who utilized the salt deposits.
During the War Between The States, Saltville commanded one of the most vital areas in the Confederacy, being the only significant source of salt within its bounds. Since salt was the major means of preservation for meat, Saltville had a large responsibility in feeding the Gray armies in the field.
On October 2, 1864, the largest battle in Virginia, west of Lynchburg, was fought in Saltville. It has been called "the massacre at Saltville" and its aftermath possibly "the worst atrocity of the Civil War." A second and smaller battle was fought on December 20 of the same year. Earthen fortifications and trenches on the hills surrounding the town are easily accessible and are among the best preserved to be found anywhere. A Battle of Saltville Re-Enactment is held the last weekend in August. On October 2nd of each year, a dedication and memorial service is held at the Saltville Battleground to commemorate the black soldiers buried in a mass grave after the October 2nd battle. Saltville is one of only two Southwest Virginia localities involved with the "Virginia Civil War Trails Program".
Saltville was awarded the 1999 Virginia Municipal League Annual Achievement Award for towns with population under 5,000. "Saltville successfully committed itself to improving historical tourism as a component of its overall economic development plan." This insert came from http://www.saltvilleva.com/about%20Saltville.htm. You can also visit Saltville web page at http://www.saltvilleva.com/
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