Dear Citizens and Friends of Gate City,

As we begin the month of July and the upcoming celebration of our nation’s independence, I thought it appropriate to reflect on Gate City’s history.  In 1771, Silas Engart received a land grant of 200 acres that included the location of the future town. By the time of Scott County’s formation in 1815, landowner James Davidson, Sr. donated approximately 13 acres of his plantation for establishing the county seat. The location of the town was such that it would emerge as an important commercial center for people and goods traveling through Big Moccasin Gap and the North Fork of the Holston River.

When the county seat was established in 1815, it was named Winfield in honor of War of 1812 hero Gen. Winfield Scott. The main street of the new town honored war hero and future president Andrew Jackson.

In 1817, the town was renamed Estillville in honor of Benjamin Estill, a local judge instrumental in the formation of the new county. As a result of the county seat’s location near Big Moccasin Gap and the North Fork of the Holston River, the town grew into a commercial center for people passing through on their way westward, for farmers hoping to sell goods, and businessmen in town for legal affairs. A regular wagon train and coach line service conveying people, mail, and commercial goods between Bedford and Estillville.

Gate City received its present name in 1886, when Attorney General Rufus A. Ayers pointed out that proximity to Big Moccasin Gap marked the town as the “Gate Way to the West.” The town was incorporated in 1892.

By the beginning of the twentieth-century, Gate City was one of several “boom towns” located in southwestern Virginia. Although the streets were little more than dirt byways in the town, the area was a vibrant commercial and transportation center. Up to six daily passenger trains passed through Gate City. The town also had a railroad log yard where logs from all over the county were stored and then loaded to be later transported by train. Iron ore from the Snowflake and Nickelsville areas as well as glass sand from the south of Clinch Mountain were manufactured and shipped from Gate City. In addition, the town had a thriving manufacturing center in the area of Water Street where wood pumps, staves, sleds, and harnesses were built. By 1915, the town supported two livery stables on Willow Street and a blacksmith shop on Jackson Street, as well as a dentist’s office, an ice plant, a casket shop, and a furniture manufacturing business. By the 1930s, Gate City had three movie theaters, banks, and a hotel. The town also had two businesses that dealt with auto sales and repairs.[6]

By the 1950s and 1960s, the town’s momentum was slowing. By 2010, many former commercial buildings stood vacant,[6] but the Gate City Historic District was newly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  (The above information was taken from Wikepedia)

Today community leaders are working with the local businesses to re-vitalize Gate City to once again to make it a flourishing community.  The transformation has begun and we would like to invite you to be part of it.  Come visit this beautiful town we call home.

Come and be part of our Red, White, and Blue Celebration on Saturday, July 2nd with the parade beginning at 12-noon. We will also have a •HUGE• bash in town with inflatables, fun, food, AND a professional firework display in downtown Gate City!!  Like to thank Gate City Frontier for planning and putting together this wonderful event.

 All About Gate City,
Bob Richards
Mayor, Town of Gate City

Mayor of Gate City Virginia