Looking back to the time when my people would have lived in Gate City, it is important to understand the history of that city. All of these places are mentioned in my family history. The below information was taken from Wikipedia.
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Gate City, Virginia - Wikipedia
Gate City is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA)
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol,
TN-VA. This combined area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities"
region.
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.
In 1817, the town was renamed Estillville (the place where
most of my ancestors resided) 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 Estilville.
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.
