Meadows of Anne

10/24/2026

The Old Barn in Copper Valley, Floyd County, Virginia

Some of the old barns we pass along our country roads hold more history than we could ever imagine. This particular barn, still standing beside Little River in Copper Valley, has a beautiful family story behind it.

Mary F. Johnson kindly shared the history of this barn, along with photographs of her ancestors and memories that have stayed with her since childhood.

Mary traces her family back to Dodman Sledd, who came from England before 1784. Generations later came her great-grandfather, William “Will” James Sledd, born July 4, 1850, in Floyd County. He married Cynthia Ellen Altizer, and together they raised eight children.

Will purchased more than 200 acres in Copper Valley, where he built a home on a hill overlooking the Little River area. When his oldest son, James Ethelbert Sledd, married Nancy “Nannie” Wade, Will gave him 100 acres across the creek.

Both father and son were remembered as skilled builders who helped neighbors construct homes and barns.

Getting from one property to the other wasn’t always easy. The family built a footbridge from a long log, secured between trees on opposite sides of the creek, with planks nailed across the top.

Mary remembers crossing that very footbridge when she was just five years old and being scared to death!

Will built his barn down the hill from the house, close to the creek. In those days, traveling meant hitching a horse to a sled and following the dirt path around the mountain or crossing the creek itself.

According to Mary’s family history, county officials eventually approached Will and Ethelbert about improving the old dirt pathway into a better road. The two men helped with the work, and the new road began near Will’s barn.

But perhaps the sweetest part of this story is Mary’s own childhood memory.

On Sundays, her grandfather would put on his best clothes, a blue suit and white shirt, and sit on a stump beside the old barn facing the road.

While he sat quietly watching the passing cars, little Mary would jump up and down, waving both hands as people rounded the curve.

She remembers those Sundays all these years later.

And that old barn is still standing.

Think about that for a moment. Generations have come and gone, roads have changed, and the world has moved forward, but that barn remains, holding the memories of a family who helped shape this little corner of Floyd County.

Mary ended her story with a wonderful thought:

“So when you pass by the old barn, wave! It has history.”

Thank you, Mary F. Johnson, for sharing your family history, these treasured photographs, and such a lovely piece of Floyd County’s past.

Stories like this remind us that sometimes the most ordinary-looking places have the most extraordinary memories attached to them.

Photographs and family history courtesy of Mary F. Johnson.

10/24/2026

Sometimes the most remarkable stories about Floyd County families are the ones passed down from one generation to the next.

Preston Wines recently shared a wonderful story with me about his great-grandmother, Rosa May Dalton Hylton, and I thought it was worth passing along.

Rosa May Dalton married Charlie Hylton, and both families had roots in the Indian Valley community of Floyd County.

Charlie tried his hand at being a storekeeper, operating several stores over the years, including one in Bluefield, West Virginia, and others in Floyd County. One of those businesses was the former Collier’s Store in Dugspur, along what is now Route 221.

But it’s a story about Rosa May that really caught my attention.

According to the family story Preston shared, this happened back in the days when horse-drawn wagons were a common sight outside country stores.

Several children were playing around the wagons when one of the wagon wheels suddenly failed, causing the wagon to collapse.

Trapped underneath was Charlie and Rosa May’s oldest son, Odis.

There were no men nearby to help, and Rosa May knew she had to do something quickly.

In a moment of sheer desperation, this petite little woman somehow managed to lift the wagon just long enough for her son to crawl out from underneath it.

Can you imagine?

A mother, faced with the possibility of losing her child, somehow found the strength to do something that would ordinarily seem impossible.

We may never know every detail of what happened that day, but what a remarkable story for a family to have passed down through the generations.

I love hearing these stories about our Floyd County families. So much of our history isn’t found in books or old records. Sometimes it’s preserved in the memories and stories that families share with one another.

And this one is certainly worth remembering.

A special thank you to Preston Wines for sharing this family story about his great-grandmother, Rosa May Dalton Hylton.

10/24/2026

There’s something special about the old-fashioned tradition of making apple butter!

Mark Woods of Woods Farms will be at Floyd Xpress today, making apple butter the traditional way. It’s a wonderful opportunity to stop by and see how this delicious fall favorite is made.

Once it’s finished, the freshly made apple butter will be available for purchase. And if you just can’t wait, there’s already some apple butter at Floyd Xpress ready to take home!

Stop by, say hello to Mark, and enjoy a little taste of an Appalachian tradition that’s been passed down through generations.

10/24/2026

Did you know that the community we now call Willis in Floyd County was once known as Hylton?

I came across this interesting piece of local history about the Hylton family and their connection to the early days of Willis.

According to historical research preserved by the Floyd County Historical Society, the community’s post office was originally called Greasy Creek. In 1880, its name was changed to Hylton.

Hardin P. Hylton served as postmaster from 1866 to 1882. He was also a landowner and a Brethren preacher in the community.

And here’s something I found especially interesting.

In an interview conducted by local historian Marguerite Tise, longtime resident Lura Phlegar recalled what the community looked like in those early years.

She remembered the post office being in a small building across the road from the Hylton home. According to her recollections, mail arrived from Floyd about three times a week, carried by a man on horseback with saddlebags.

Can you imagine waiting for the mail to arrive that way?

The Hylton family’s connection to the post office continued into another generation.

Hardin’s son, Chrislay Hylton, served as postmaster from 1890 to 1891. During that time, the post office was located in his home.

The family also appears in the history of education in Willis.

According to the historical account published in the 1962 Willis High School yearbook, Hardin P. Hylton sold land to Professor John B. Wrightsman in 1882 for the development of Mountain Normal School, an early educational institution in the community.

I find it fascinating that a place we know today by one name once carried the name of a local family.

And I especially love imagining those early days, when the mail arrived on horseback and a little community was growing along the old turnpike.

These are the kinds of stories that remind us how much history is tucked away in the communities of Floyd County.

If you enjoy discovering local history, I encourage you to visit both the Floyd County Historical Society and Old Church Gallery. Both preserve valuable photographs, documents, and stories about the people who helped shape Floyd County.

Historical information credited to the Floyd County Historical Society, Marguerite Tise’s interview with Lura Phlegar, and the 1962 Willis High School yearbook, The Eagle, preserved by the Virginia Room of Roanoke Public Libraries.

10/23/2026

Friday nights in Floyd are here again! It’s a little chilly outside tonight, so there aren’t quite as many musicians out playing. But even on a cool evening, there’s still a little music to enjoy!

Here’s one for you. Just another reason to love Friday nights in our little mountain town!

10/23/2026

Sometimes we all need to slow down, relax, and take a little time for ourselves!

Today I’d like to introduce you to another local Floyd business, Massage by Annette, operated by licensed massage therapist Annette Rodgers.

Annette offers a variety of massage and bodywork services designed to meet different needs, whether you’re looking to relax, ease muscle tension, or simply enjoy a little time for yourself.

Her services include therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, craniosacral therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, reflexology, prenatal massage, hot stone massage, and specialized massage for jaw tension and TMJ concerns.

She also lists some interesting wellness services, including head spa treatments, body wraps, infrared sauna sessions, and red light therapy.

One thing I found particularly nice while learning about her business is her individualized approach. Annette describes taking time to understand each client’s concerns and tailoring sessions to their needs.

We’re fortunate to have so many small businesses here in Floyd, and I enjoy introducing you to the people and services that make our community special.

If you’ve been thinking about scheduling a massage or just treating yourself to a little relaxation, take a look at what Annette has to offer!

Massage by Annette
187 N. Locust Street, Floyd, Virginia

Phone: 540-695-4107

You can learn more about her services or schedule an appointment here:

https://www.massagebook.com/biz/massage-by-annette

10/23/2026

This year has reminded me that life is a lot like this little leaf in the creek. Sometimes the current carries us in directions we never expected. We face changes, challenges, and moments we wish we could hold on to just a little longer.

But even in the middle of it all, there is still beauty to be found.

As the seasons change, I’m reminded that not everything has to stay the same to be beautiful. Sometimes we just have to trust where life is taking us and appreciate the little moments along the way.

And if life has been a little difficult for you lately, keep your head up. Seasons change, circumstances change, and sometimes the very things we worry about today become the things that lead us somewhere better tomorrow.

Whatever you’re going through, I hope you find a little peace in knowing that this season of your life isn’t your whole story. There are still beautiful days ahead.

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

Did you know that Floyd County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition is located inside a building that once supplied water to the town of Floyd?

There’s a wonderful story behind Five Mile Mountain Distillery, and it begins with a man who wanted to preserve a piece of our county’s history.

Owner and Master Distiller Kerry Underwood saw something worth saving in an old building that had been sitting vacant for decades, nearly forgotten and covered in kudzu.

The building was originally Floyd’s waterworks facility, constructed shortly after World War II. Water was pumped from Dodds Creek, treated, and sent to the town’s water tower before being distributed to homes and businesses.

As Floyd grew and additional wells were drilled, the old waterworks became unnecessary. The facility closed in 1976 and remained vacant for decades.

When Kerry purchased the property from the town in July 2013, he wasn’t simply looking for a place to open a business. He wanted to save the building and give it a new purpose while preserving a part of Floyd’s past.

And I think there’s something especially meaningful about that.

How many times have we driven past an old building and said, “I sure wish somebody would save that place,” or “It’s such a shame to see that building falling apart”?

We all love seeing these pieces of our history preserved, but saving them takes more than wishing someone would do it. It takes time, money, hard work, and someone willing to take on the challenge.

Kerry and then partner, Patrick Sisk, along with Patrick’s father Bob Sisk, and the help of many friends from the community brought their vision and determination together to resurrect the old waterworks building back to what it is today.

And it was no small undertaking!

The restoration involved removing thousands of gallons of water, old steel and cast-iron pipes, and concrete. What had once been a neglected building was slowly brought back to life.

But Kerry’s contributions to Floyd didn’t stop there.

He also played an important role in changing the town’s liquor laws. Kerry spent considerable time outside the courthouse gathering signatures on a petition to help bring the issue before voters, along with many other members of the community. His efforts helped pave the way for changes that allowed liquor to be served within town limits.

In 2016, Five Mile Mountain Distillery began operating, becoming Floyd County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition.

For Kerry, preserving Floyd’s traditions has always been just as important as producing wh***ey. Moonshining has deep roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and he wanted to honor the knowledge and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Even the distillery’s name has a connection to that history. According to the distillery, Five Mile Mountain was once associated with routes used to transport moonshine through the mountains.

Today, the distillery continues those traditions by producing spirits in small batches using copper stills heated over an open flame.

They source locally grown grains, including organic grains, and emphasize quality by bottling only the heart of the distillation, the portion selected for its desirable flavor and character.

Another interesting detail they shared with me is their use of Jimmy Red corn, a historic heirloom variety known for its beautiful deep red kernels. This corn was once nearly lost but was preserved and brought back into cultivation. Today, it is especially appreciated by craft distillers.

And here’s another little detail I love because it shows how local businesses support one another. The labels on Five Mile Mountain Distillery’s bottles are produced by Finn Graphics, right here in Floyd!

Kerry and his wife Julie, Patrick, and multiple friends are apart of the story behind this unique Floyd business, where preserving history and carrying on mountain traditions go hand in hand.

I think one of the wonderful things about Floyd is how much history can be found in buildings we drive past every day. Sometimes we have no idea what those buildings once were or the stories behind them.

And while we often talk about how important it is to preserve our old buildings, I think it’s equally important to recognize the people who roll up their sleeves and actually make it happen.

Kerry and Patrick didn’t just see an old, forgotten building. They saw its potential, invested in it, and gave it another chapter in Floyd’s history.

If you’ve never visited Five Mile Mountain Distillery, it’s worth stopping by, even if you’re simply interested in seeing the restored building and learning a little more about our county’s history.

You can find it at 489 Floyd Highway South in Floyd.

Thank you to the folks at Five Mile Mountain Distillery for sharing more of Kerry and everyone involved in this story and the history behind this special place.

10/22/2026