Narrows Virginia
“Narrowing of the New River”
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Town of Narrows VA
The town of Narrows is located and named for the narrowing of the New River that flows past it, in Giles County in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. Thirty seven miles of the New River flows through Giles County, and it courses its way right through the heart of Narrows. This elegant river, one of the five oldest in the world, weaves its way north into West Virginia. The new River has many activities in Narrows Virginia such as Fishing, Swimming, Tubing, Kayaking, and Canoeing. The New River is considered to be one of the best fishing rivers in Virginia. Fast water and big rocks are features of the New River, making it a perfect home for big smallmouth bass and flathead catfish.
History of Narrows VA
Narrows, settled around 1778, gets its name from the historic “narrows” point where the New River cuts through the ridges of East River and Peters Mountain. Settlers came from the Great Wagon Trail along the New River. Narrows’ founding families were the French, McKensey, Hale, and Hare families. They all settled near the confluence of Wolf Creek and the New River to take advantage of its strategic position during the river transportation era.
During the Civil War period, Narrows served as a strategic location for Confederate troops defending the Dublin-Bristol rail line from sabotage attempts by Union soldiers. The Confederate troops were stationed on Tannery Hill, which afforded them a vantage point in three directions.
Although Narrows did not acquire a railroad connection until 1884, its strategic location as a military “chokepoint” enabled Confederate troops to stem the movements of the Union Army