the Raid at Martin's Station

Mr. Fuzzy is not insensitive to our readers (both of them) becoming bored with nothing other than farm tidbits posted herein. He has, therefore, decided to post a bit about the Fuzzys' prior life - in the 1770s frontier of Virginia.






The occurs semi-annually, a marvelous event at the gem of Virginia's state parks: Wilderness Road State Historic Park, out in the far tail of Virginia, is home to the re-created Martin's Station, a frontier fort of the 1770s. It is in as beautiful a setting as can be imagined, in a deep valley, bordered by the mountains, and the famous Cumberland Gap visible just a few miles away. In May, Senior Ranger Billy Heck and his staff organize "The Raid" which has become perhaps the premier event of its kind in the American South. The Raid re-enacts the Cherokee attack on the Station in 1775. Their other major event is the October encampment which is smaller and does not contain the battle scenarios of the May event.

Besides the raid itself, there is the modern and well-done visitor's center, hiking, and with all of the vendors at these two events, a colonial trade fair. If you look on a map to find the park, it is obvious that is is still remote from civilization, especially on the Virgina/Tennessee side, yet the raid draws thousands of spectators in addition to those participating as frontiersmen or Native Americans. Two battles are held, one in the early afternoon and one at twilight. The latter highlights the flashes from the flintlock rifles and artillery to great effect.