Carvins Cove, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Carvins Cove was a community in both Botetourt
and Roanoke County
, Virginia
, United States
, that was abandoned and subsequently inundated in order to create the Carvins Cove Reservoir by the City of Roanoke
in the mid–1940s.
area of present day Roanoke County. Before the community was destroyed in the 1940s, it included the Rocky Branch School, Cove Alum Baptist Church, the Cove Alum Springs resort hotel, the Tuck-Away Park amusement park and at least 60 homes.
The demise of the community began in the early 1920s when the Virginia Water Company announced that a dam was to be constructed in the vicinity of the community to impound water. By November 1926 the company made public their intention to construct this dam
at the Carvins Creek falls. Construction of the 80 feet (24.4 m) tall abutment was complete by 1928, however the actual reservoir would not be complete until the mid-1940s following the acquisition of the Roanoke Water Works by the City of Roanoke. By 1942, the City of Roanoke acquired the Roanoke Water Company and completed the process of purchasing the land in the Cove necessary to complete the reservoir. The final structures were auctioned by the city on February 14, 1944, effectively marking the end of the community.
All told, the city acquired over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) through purchase and condemnation
at a cost of approximately $1 million. The reservoir was completely filled by May 1946 when water topped the dam. The completed facility subsequently became the largest supplier of water to the city upon its official dedication on March 25, 1947.
Today the reservoir serves as the Western Virginia Water Authority's primary source of water for 130,000 customers in the Roanoke Valley
. Additionally, the Cove is the second largest municipal park in the United States and offers numerous hiking and equestrian trails, connection to the Appalachian Trail
and boating opportunities. Remnants of the former community can be seen in the numerous stone foundations that are still visible throughout the present day reserve. Additionally, during times of drought submerged foundations become visible as the shoreline recedes.
Botetourt County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile . There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
and Roanoke County
Roanoke County, Virginia
Roanoke County is a county located in the U.S. state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and located within the Roanoke Region of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 85,778. As of 2010, the population was 92,376...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, that was abandoned and subsequently inundated in order to create the Carvins Cove Reservoir by the City of Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
in the mid–1940s.
History
The community was established in the early 19th century with the establishment of a grist mill at the falls along Carvins Creek. Its namesake, William Carvin, is recognized as the first settler in the HollinsHollins, Virginia
Hollins is a census-designated place in Botetourt and Roanoke counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. Hollins covers much of the area known locally as "North County". The population was 14,309 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area...
area of present day Roanoke County. Before the community was destroyed in the 1940s, it included the Rocky Branch School, Cove Alum Baptist Church, the Cove Alum Springs resort hotel, the Tuck-Away Park amusement park and at least 60 homes.
The demise of the community began in the early 1920s when the Virginia Water Company announced that a dam was to be constructed in the vicinity of the community to impound water. By November 1926 the company made public their intention to construct this dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
at the Carvins Creek falls. Construction of the 80 feet (24.4 m) tall abutment was complete by 1928, however the actual reservoir would not be complete until the mid-1940s following the acquisition of the Roanoke Water Works by the City of Roanoke. By 1942, the City of Roanoke acquired the Roanoke Water Company and completed the process of purchasing the land in the Cove necessary to complete the reservoir. The final structures were auctioned by the city on February 14, 1944, effectively marking the end of the community.
All told, the city acquired over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) through purchase and condemnation
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
at a cost of approximately $1 million. The reservoir was completely filled by May 1946 when water topped the dam. The completed facility subsequently became the largest supplier of water to the city upon its official dedication on March 25, 1947.
Today the reservoir serves as the Western Virginia Water Authority's primary source of water for 130,000 customers in the Roanoke Valley
Roanoke Valley
The Roanoke Valley in southwest Virginia is an area adjacent to and including the Roanoke River between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachian Plateau to the west...
. Additionally, the Cove is the second largest municipal park in the United States and offers numerous hiking and equestrian trails, connection to the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
and boating opportunities. Remnants of the former community can be seen in the numerous stone foundations that are still visible throughout the present day reserve. Additionally, during times of drought submerged foundations become visible as the shoreline recedes.