Blackwater Creek Offers Local Activity And History

Winding three miles through downtown Lynchburg and its surrounding urban forest, the Blackwater Creek Trail System serves as a great space for outdoor recreation in Lynchburg. 

However, the trail has not always been a recreationalist-friendly route. While it has since been repurposed into a paved trail system, it was once Lynchburg’s first rail line. 

A series of historical markers placed along the trail tells its story. 

According to the trail markers, the Blackwater Creek Trail runs along Blackwater Creek, on which Lynchburg’s namesake, John Lynch, built a grain mill. His mill later became a sawmill to create lumber for freight cars when Lynchburg’s first rail line was built. Construction on the line, called the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, was completed in 1856.

The new railway gave Lynchburg another way to export its products, such as tobacco and coal, by connecting it to Bristol, Tennessee. Soon after, during the Civil War, the railway helped move Confederate soldiers, supplies and munitions. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad aided Lynchburg’s economic recovery following the war by providing factories with easy access to transportation for goods.

The railway became the property of the city of Lynchburg in 1983 and was added to the Blackwater Creek Natural Area, which had been established four years earlier. 

One of the trail’s unique features is Hollins Mill Tunnel, part of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad’s infrastructure. The tunnel runs 450 feet through a hill. Crews of Irish immigrants and slaves created the tunnel. The workers used steel drills to create holes, poured black powder inside and detonated the rock to blast away the opening. 

The Blackwater Creek Trail now serves as a space for walkers, hikers, runners, bikers and rollerbladers to experience both Lynchburg’s history and its nature. 

A fellow student introduced Liberty junior Samuel Bulkley to the Blackwater Creek Trail System. Now, he says he goes for a walk or run on the trail at least once a week. 

“It’s my favorite place to go in Lynchburg,” Bulkley said. “It’s a friendly place to see people, and I’ve also learned how important railroads are to the city of Lynchburg.”

The area boasts a wide variety of species of plants, trees, animals and birds. Lynchburg Parks and Rec’s website names sycamore, spice bush, walnut, oak, pine, hickory, maple and tulip poplar trees as native to the area. Bird watchers can spot cardinals, blue jays, owls, hawks, wrens, flickers, herons and pileated woodpeckers. 

A number of earthen trails branch off from the main 3-mile paved pathway, perfect for mountain biking or hiking. According to Lynchburg Parks & Rec, the main trail can be accessed from four entrances: Ed Page, East Randolph Place, Downtown Lynchburg and, during select hours, Linkhorne Middle School.

“I think the Blackwater Creek Trail is a great way for Liberty students to get downtown and get involved in the history and culture of Lynchburg,” Bulkley said. 

Parking is available near the Ed Page and East Randolph entrances. More information about parking and trail hours can be found at https://www.lynchburgparksandrec.com/trails/trails-of-blackwater-creek.

Renee Farmer is a Feature Reporter. Follow her on Twitter at @reneefarmerr.