Mouth of Wilson, Virginia facts for kids

A gas station in Mouth of Wilson.

Mouth of Wilson is a small, quiet community in Grayson County, Virginia. It's located right near the border with North Carolina. This area is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. You can find Mouth of Wilson on the western side of the New River, right where the Big Wilson Creek flows into it. Main roads like U.S. Route 58, Virginia Route 16, and Virginia Route 93 pass through this charming spot.

The History of Mouth of Wilson

The name "Mouth of Wilson" has an interesting story. It comes from a young surveyor named Wilson. In 1749, he was working to map the line between Virginia and North Carolina. Sadly, he died and was buried in a nearby creek. From then on, that creek became known as Wilson Creek. The community grew up right where this creek meets the New River, giving it the name "Mouth of Wilson."

Early Settlers and Mills

The first European settler in this area was Robert Parsons. He was a soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He received a large piece of land, about 1,600 acres, stretching from the North Carolina border to Wilson Creek.

One of Robert Parsons' nine sons, Johnny Parsons, built the very first mill on Wilson Creek. This mill was used to grind corn into flour. It also had a sawmill attached, which cut wood. Johnny Parsons even served in the Virginia General Assembly, helping to manage local roads. Later, in 1884, another mill was built by Colonel Fields J. McMillan.

Bringing Electricity to the Community

Life in Mouth of Wilson changed a lot in 1930. The community worked together to build a power dam. This dam brought electricity to the area for the first time. It was a big step forward for the town.

Oak Hill Academy: A Special School

Mouth of Wilson is home to Oak Hill Academy. This is a special boarding school for high school students. It is connected with the Baptist church. The school was first built in 1878.

Growth and Development of the Academy

In 1923, Reverend W.A. Hash became the principal of Oak Hill Academy. He helped the school become officially recognized. Under his leadership, new dorms were built for students. A water system and electric lines were also added to the school.

Basketball Success at Oak Hill

In recent years, Oak Hill Academy has become very famous for its basketball teams. Since 1993, the school has won eight national basketball championships! Many talented players have attended Oak Hill. Because most students live at the school, the population of Mouth of Wilson grows a lot during the school year.