Old Stone House Tavern
The Cullop’s Old Stone House Tavern in Smyth County, Virginia is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cullop Family were pioneers in Wythe County which became Smyth County in 1831. St. Mark’s Church located near the Old Stone Tavern was known as Cullop’s Church which indicates the prominence of the family in the area.
Frederick Cullop (a Scots name) first appeared in the Wythe County tax records in 1797. This parcel of land sits on the middle fork of the Holston River and was acquired between 1806 and 1808 according to tax records. Materials for the Tavern came from the limestone quarry across the road.
The location of the Tavern on the Wilderness Road made it a nice place to stop for folks heading west to Kentucky and Tennessee in the early 19th century. Frederick Cullop’s Tavern was one of the most highly taxed structures in the county indicating he was a very prosperous gentleman. Upon his death in 1826 inventory of his estate included livestock, a windmill, a distillery, spinning wheels, looms and furniture also in his possession was a dulcimer, a Bible and a Hymn book.
The building is in excellent condition and is privately owned.
That old tavern is so esthetically appealing. I thought it was a house. Mr. Cullop was a rich man for sure. Being in the wilderness, it must have been a welcomed place to see for tired, thirsty. hungry travelers. I noticed , in the end, his somewhat comforting possessions were his dulcimer, his hymnal and his Bible…very touching.