Eagle Rock, Virginia


Eagle Rock is an unincorporated community in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located along the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan.

History

Eagle Rock had the last lock of the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Lime production

This was the location of the kilns for making lime. Limestone was transported across the James River via a tram system and then burned in the kilns to make lime. Originally a river Ford, known as "The Free Stone Ford", allowed mule drawn wagons to cross. In May 1884 a bridge was constructed across the river for the limestone. Later, large towers were constructed and the lime sent across the river by cable. Old quarries and locally known Quarry Hill are located on either side of US 220. The Bessemer Archaeological Site, Phoenix Bridge and Roaring Run Furnace are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rail history

At the end of the James River and Kanawha Canal system, transportation was done by rail. Eagle Rock was the point of convergence of the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad and the Craig Valley Line, which ran to Surber Station and on to New Castle, Virginia.

Education

The town is served by Botetourt County Public Schools. The town had its own high school until the late 1950s, when the Northern Botetourt high schools were all consolidated into the newly formed James River High School in neighboring Springwood. All public school students in Eagle Rock attend Eagle Rock Elementary, Central Academy Middle, and James River High.

Notable residents