Cherokee Avenue was named for the Cherokee Indians who originally hunted this area. About ten thousand years ago, during the end of the Ice Age, the forefathers of the Cherokee made their way from Asia to this continent. It is believed that the Cherokee and Iroquois are brother tribes. They were known for their suprior height and robust stature. The Cherokee lived off the land and used nature's resources to survive. You can still visit the Cherokee Nation today in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Wyandotte Avenue was named for the Wyandotte Indians. The Wyandotte Indians became known to the English and Americans and were made up of the surviving remnants of three great Ontario Iroquoian confederacies: the Huron, Petun, and Neutrals. They spoke a northern language. The Wyandottes worked to maintain their old position as a favored middleman in the fur trade with the French, however, their population did not exceed 1500. Hence, they were constantly involved in political changes, playing one allie against another. Eventually, they were not trusted and their old allies threatened war with them.

The town of Big Stone Gap originally consisted of three farms owned by the Horton, Gilley, and Flanary families. This area was explored by such people as Dr. Thomas Walker, Daniel Boone, Elisha Wallen, Ambrose Powell and others. Many people traveled the Wilderness Road cut by Daniel Boone and his men and settled in this area.

Wallens Ridge Boulevard was named for Elisha Wallen, who was an early explorer during the time that Daniel Boone trail blazed through these mountains and Little Stone Mountain made a V with its point at Little Stone Gap. Within the V lies Powell Valley and the town of Big Stone Gap. At the open mouth of the V, another mountain pushes west of East Stone Gap, this is called Wallens Ridge.

Powell Avenue was named for Ambrose Powell. He was a mamber if Dr. Thomas Walker's party that explored the area in 1749. These men were the first to explore this area. They came "westward in order to discover a proper place for a settlement." While exploring the area, Ambrose carned his name on a beech tree. Today many things bare Ambrose Powell's name such as, Powell River, Powell Valley, Powell Valley High School, and even a bank.

Wood Avenue was named for the Wood Brothers. The two brothers were N.B. and Henry Clinton Wood. They were from Gate City, Virginia. Henry served as a Major in the Civil War, was at the Battle of Gettysburg and wounded at Chancellorsville. Little is known about N.B. Wood, but later the brothers bought the Gilley Farm.

 

Shawnee Avenue was named for the Shawnee Indian Tribe. Shawnee comes from the Algonquin word "shawun," meaning "southerner." They usually call themselves the Shawano or Shawanoe or Shawanese. The Shawnee Indians were believed to have originally located in Southern Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania areas. Today, there are more than 14,000 Shawnee Indians located on four reservations. The groups consist of Absentee Shawnee, Eastern Shawnee, Cherokee Shawnee, and the Loyal Shawnee. The largest of these groups is the Loyal Shawnee. They received the name "Loyal" for serving the union during the Civil War.

Preston Street was named for Robert Preston. He owned about 1400 acres of land in the vicinity of Big Stone Gap. There is also a street in East Stone Gap named for Preston. Preston hired J.P. Wolfe, a well known surveyor, to survey the lands of Wise County.

Albermarle (Albemarle) Street is named for Albemarle County, Virginia, the home of Dr. Thomas Walker. He was born on January 25, 1715. Dr. Walker was a distinguished physician and explorer and was sent with a party of men from Albermarle County by the Royal Land Company in the spring of 1749. On his trip, he explored what is now Wise County. He was the first to record existence of the Gap. Throughout his life, Walker acted as a surveyor and land agent. Dr. Walker died in his home on November 9, 1794.

Gilley Avenue was named for Gordon Gilley. The Gilley's were one of the first families to settle in the area. They were also one of the first to build a grist mill on Powell River. The Gilley's farm was in the center of what is now known as Big Stone Gap. Gordon, a descendent of the Gilley family, was one of the first town council members, and also the first postmaster. He served on the police guard as well.

The Marker Reads:

Big Stone Gap, originally known as Three Forks, received its charter, February 23, 1888. A postoffice was established April 12, 1856. In the early nineties it became the center of iron and coal development. It was the home and workshop of John Fox, Jr., novelist, and author of "Trail of the Lonesome Pine."

The town of Big Stone Gap was originally called Three Forks, because three forks of the Powell River came together here. Later it was called Mineral City, because of the rich mineral deposits. In 1888, the town officially became known as Big Stone Gap. In the early 1890's the area was the center of iron and coal development.