Foster Falls Historic District

Foster Falls Historic District is a collection of about twelve buildings, two sites, and three structures scattered across rural landscape. The buildings represent different types of construction from different periods and purposes.

The area grew as an industrial site with an iron furnace and mills powered by the river's water flow. Most structures were built in the late 1800s when iron production and other crafts thrived in this region.

The district shows its industrial roots through the iron furnace, train station, and mill buildings that still shape how people understand the area. These structures tell the story of crafts and production that once defined daily life here.

The district is best explored on foot since buildings are spread across the landscape in a rural setting. The visitor center in the former hotel building offers information and a good starting point for your walk.

The main brick hotel building from the late 1800s was later converted into an orphanage, a shift that reflects how industrial sites adapted to new community needs. This change remains visible in how the building stands at the center of the district today.

Location: Wythe County

GPS coordinates: 36.88361,-80.85556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04