Smoky Ordinary

Smoky Ordinary, built 1/2 mile northeast of here by 1750, provided lodging, food, and drink to travelers on the north-south stage road. A small community later developed around the ordinary. British raiders under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton reportedly burned tobacco warehouses here in July 1781. Union forces under Brig. Gens. James Wilson and August Kautz passed here late in June 1864 at the end of a cavalry raid on Confederate supply lines. The ordinary served as a post office (1832-1964) and as a polling place. In Oct. 1867, African American men cast ballots here during the first election in which they had the right to vote in Virginia. The ordinary burned in the 20th century.

Department of Historic Resources, 2021