- Old Tombstone
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Old Tombstone
Old Tombstone and its caged enclosure
Location: Hollins, VA Coordinates: 37°20′24″N 79°56′27″W / 37.34°N 79.94083°WCoordinates: 37°20′24″N 79°56′27″W / 37.34°N 79.94083°W Built: 1805 Architect: Laurence Krone NRHP Reference#: 80004222 Added to NRHP: 1980 Old Tombstone, also known as the Denton Monument, is a folk art tombstone listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in the town of Hollins, Virginia, United States. Located in the Tombstone Cemetery, just east of Plantation Road (Virginia State Route 115), Old Tombstone is noted for its folk art elements as being unique to Southwest Virginia.
Description
Old Tombstone is a monolithic freestone carving marking the grave of Robert Denton, and is 4 ft (1.2 m) long, 2.6 ft (0.79 m) wide and, 1.6 ft (0.49 m) at its thickest point.[1] The stone features a carving on its top exposing the head and torso of a child, with markings in German, English and Latin.[1] The inscription reads:[2]
Once loved, once valued, now avails me not; Though my relations have not me forgot . . .History
The monument was designed by Laurence Krone, a prolific Virginia-German carver. Its design featuring a carving of a child, although commonplace in New England during the period, is unique to Southwest Virginia.[1] Krone met the Dentons after the family took him in after falling ill at the turn of the 19th century. Due to the generosity of the family, Krone carved the monument free of charge upon the death of Robert Denton.[1][2]
By 1967, the ornate lid that once covered the sandstone face and bust of the child was stolen. As a result of the theft, the Hollins Lions Club constructed a roof and chain-link cage around the monument to protect it from vandals.[2] Due to its architectural significance the monument was named to the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1977 and to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[2] The cemetery where it is located, Tombstone Cemetery, takes its name directly from that of Old Tombstone.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (July 1977). "National Register of Historic Places nomination, Old Tombstone". http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Roanoke_county/080-0059_Old_Tombstone_%28Denton_Cenotaph%29_1980_Final_Nomination.pdf. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Macy, Beth (January 21, 2002). "Old Tombstone Cemetery". The Roanoke Times: p. E1.
U.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other Categories:- Buildings and structures completed in 1805
- National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
- Burial monuments and structures
- Buildings and structures in Roanoke County, Virginia
- Visitor attractions in Roanoke County, Virginia
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