James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Charles T. Smith photographs
Smith, Charles T., 1932-2024 (Charles Thomas)
Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
SC 0423
/repositories/4/resources/807
1.26 cubic feet
3 boxes
1880-2007
1990s
The collection comprises original photographs, postcards, enlargements, and reproduction photographs documenting the eastern and southeastern sections of Rockingham County including Cross Keys, McGaheysville, Penn Laird, Port Republic, Pineville, and Elkton.
English
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Charles T. Smith photographs, 1880-2007 (bulk 1990s), SC 0423, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Acquisition Information
Purchased in numerous lots from Green Valley Auctions, March 25, 2026.
Provenance
From the estate of Charles T. Smith (1932-2024) of Cross Keys, Virginia.
Processing Information
If photographs are undated or dates are not easily discerned, folder and item dates correspond to the approximate date of the original image and not necessarily the date of its reproduction, if a facsimile.
Biographical / Historical
Charles T. Smith (1932-2024) was a lifelong resident of Rockingham County. Per his obituary, Smith was committed to historic preservation specifically his family farm which was part of the historic Cross Keys Battlefield. He was also an avid coin and train memorabilia collector. Smith compiled photographs of the local Harrisonburg and eastern Rockingham County areas. This included collecting historic images as well as taking his own photographs.
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises original and reproduction photographs, vernacular photograph albums, postcards, and photo enlargements documenting the eastern and southeastern sections of Rockingham County including Cross Keys, McGaheysville, Port Republic, Penn Laird, Pineville, and Elkton. Other areas documented include Harrisonburg, Shenandoah, and Charlottesville. The bulk of the photographs are undated but span the greater part of the 20th century. Photograph files may include original photographs or postcards, reproductions, enlargements, and negatives.
The photographs, postcards, and images feature historic schools and churches; businesses; trains, railroads, and depots; landmarks; and street views. One folder contains reproductions of news articles from the local newspapers, specifically the column Fading Images written by Casey Billhimer for The Valley Banner.
Of particular interest are photograph albums that document the 1985 flood in Rockingham County (October 31-November 5) as well as flooding from Hurricane Fran in September 1996. A third album includes photographs dating to the mid-1990s of wind or storm damage at Charles Smith's farm in Cross Keys and surrounding area. It is presumed that these photographs also document the damage from Hurricane Fran in September 1996.
Photographs
Photograph albums
Postcards
Floods -- Virginia
Penn Laird (Va.) -- History
Port Republic (Va.) -- History
Elkton (Va.) -- History
Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History
Shenandoah (Va.) -- History
Rockingham County (Va.) -- History
Cross Keys (Rockingham County, Va.) -- History
Hurricane Fran, 1996
Charlottesville (Va.) -- History
Pineville (Va.)
Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
Flood of 1985 photograph album/repositories/4/archival_objects/326861985OV 1Scope and ContentsIncludes newspaper clippings and photographs documenting the flood of 1985.
Hurricane Fran photograph album [Elkton and Shenandoah]/repositories/4/archival_objects/32687September 1996OV 1Scope and ContentsDocuments the flooding and resulting damage to the Elkton and Shenandoah areas from Hurrican Fran in 1996.
Hurricane Fran, 1996Hurricane Fran (?) photograph album [Cross Keys]/repositories/4/archival_objects/32688September 1996OV 1Scope and ContentsThe content of this photograph album is presumed to document wind damage from Hurricane Fran in Cross Keys, Virginia. Photographs include broken tree limbs, collapsed outbuildings and barns, exterior damage to houses, and uprooted trees.
Hurricane Fran, 1996Ole Virginia Ham Cafe, 85 W. Market St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/32689Litten, Allen, 1935-20231960s11Rockingham County Jail, Graham St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/326901990s12Daily News-Record Building, S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/326911990s13R. S. Monger & Sons, Inc. Building Supply, C. W. Drive (Chesapeake Ave), Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/326921990s14Joseph Ney's Clothing Store, One Court Square, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/32693199815Hartman Truck Line, Chicago Ave., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/32694195416Kyger Funeral Home & Crematory, S. Main St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/32695circa 200617Future home of Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/32696circa 200618Lloyd's Steak House, 2455 S. Main St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/326971990s19J. O. Stickley & Son, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/3269919371972110Gitchell's Studio automobile, Charlottesville/repositories/4/archival_objects/32698circa 1917111Pineville Service Station/repositories/4/archival_objects/327001950s112Village Store, 1985 Flood/repositories/4/archival_objects/327011985113Penn Laird Post Office/repositories/4/archival_objects/327021990s114Sentara East Rockingham Health Center, Elkton/repositories/4/archival_objects/327031990s115Rocco Feed Mill, N. Main St. and Kratzer Rd., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327041998116Pilgrim's Pride Feed Mill, Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327051990s117Rockingham Cooperative Farm Bureau/repositories/4/archival_objects/327061950s118Wetsel Seed Co., Inc., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327071990s119Unidentified grain bins, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/327081970s1990s120Future Farmers of America historical marker, Weyers Cave/repositories/4/archival_objects/327091990s121Turkey statues, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/3271019941996122Turner Ashby Monument, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327111990s1231986 Ford 4x4 truck, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/32712circa 1995124Overturned tractor, corner of VA-247 (Cross Keys Rd.) and VA-253 (Port Republic Rd.)/repositories/4/archival_objects/327131990s125Sunset, backyard of Smith farm, Cross Keys/repositories/4/archival_objects/327141997 September 5126Middle River Pratt Through-Truss Bridge, Harnsberger Octagonal Barn, Weyers Cave/repositories/4/archival_objects/327151990s127Baptismal scene in the meadow above Floyd Smith's, Elder Sam Pence baptizing, Pineville/repositories/4/archival_objects/32716circa 1915128Haugh Barn, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/327171920s129Scope and ContentsPer label affixed to the photograph: "Located on the Peter William Haugh property, was at the flank of the Confederate right. Note: holes made by artillary projectiles."
Old barn on the east side of Rt. 659, west of the Rt. 659 and Rt. 276 intersection/repositories/4/archival_objects/32718circa 1980130Scope and ContentsPer the description adhered to the back of the photographs, the barn was destroyed about 1985.
Unidentified house, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/327191950s131Tommy Bowman photographs, Mill Creek, Port Republic, etc./repositories/4/archival_objects/32720late 1880s-1930132Scope and ContentsPhotographs include Mill Creek Church, Mill Creek School, Meyerhoeffer Store, Mt. Olive Brethren Church, Oak Shade School, Peach Grove School, Victory Hill School, and other locations in the Port Republic area of Rockingham County.
Elkton and Shenandoah depots/repositories/4/archival_objects/32721circa 1900133Weyers Cave Depot/repositories/4/archival_objects/32722circa 1996134Biographical / HistoricalWeyers Cave Depot was demolished in April 1996.
Shenandoah Valley Railroad/repositories/4/archival_objects/327231990s135Shenandoah Valley Railroad, Verona/repositories/4/archival_objects/327241997 August 24136Chesapeake Western trains/repositories/4/archival_objects/3272520th century137Track equipment on Shenandoah Valley Railroad, Weyers Cave/repositories/4/archival_objects/327261990s138Pleasant Valley Depot/repositories/4/archival_objects/327271990s139Chesapeake & Ohio Railway coaling tower, Charlottesville Union Station/repositories/4/archival_objects/32728between 1942-1990s140Allegheny Central Railroad/Shenandoah Valley Railroad ceremony; Chesapeake & Ohio Railway coaling tower/repositories/4/archival_objects/327291990s141Bartow Train Depot, West Virginia/repositories/4/archival_objects/32730early 1900s142Eastern Shore Railroad/repositories/4/archival_objects/327311990s143Janie E. Smith/repositories/4/archival_objects/327321998144Biographical / HistoricalWife of Charles T. Smith.
Unidentified lake with inflatable motor boat/repositories/4/archival_objects/327331980s145Unidentified fair or carnival/repositories/4/archival_objects/327341980s146Unidentified desert with cacti/repositories/4/archival_objects/327351980s147Civil War reenactment/repositories/4/archival_objects/327361980s148St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Weyers Cave/repositories/4/archival_objects/327371990s149Old Mill Creek Church, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/32738early 1900s150Biographical / HistoricalPer handwritten description included with the photographs: "Mill Creek Church loacted on Rt. 659, 2.3 miles east of the 659 Port Road and 276 Cross Keys Road intersection. Early 1900s."
Mill Creek Church of the Brethren/repositories/4/archival_objects/327391950s151Early Mill Creek churches/repositories/4/archival_objects/327401880s-1920s152Scope and ContentsFirst and second churches at Mill Creek.
St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Weyers Cave drawing/repositories/4/archival_objects/32741Nutt, Joe, 1935-20162006153Cross Keys Cemetery/repositories/4/archival_objects/32742circa 2006154Pirkey Family Cemetery, Cross Keys/repositories/4/archival_objects/327431990s155Mt. Olive Brethren Church (Pineville Brethren Church), Pineville Rd., McGaheysville/repositories/4/archival_objects/32744between 1880-1913156Mt. Olive Brethren Church, McGaheysville/repositories/4/archival_objects/327451996157Port Republic School (?)/repositories/4/archival_objects/32746early 1900s158Grottoes School (?)/repositories/4/archival_objects/32747early 1900s159Port Republic Elementary School/repositories/4/archival_objects/327481990s160Grottoes Elementary School/repositories/4/archival_objects/327491990s161Weyers Cave School/repositories/4/archival_objects/327501990s21Pine Knot School, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/327511920s199722Montevideo Middle School, Penn Laird/repositories/4/archival_objects/32752circa 196523Unidentified school or church, Rockingham County/repositories/4/archival_objects/3275320th century24Coke ovens and machine shops, Pocahontas/repositories/4/archival_objects/327541910s2516th and Dock, Richmond/repositories/4/archival_objects/327551930s26Union Stock Yards, Chicago/repositories/4/archival_objects/32756194727Interior of Machine Shop, Spencer, North Carolina/repositories/4/archival_objects/32757190928Swannanoa Country Club at Summit of Jefferson Highway between Charlottesville and Waynesboro/repositories/4/archival_objects/327581920s29Main Street of Port Republic, Va./repositories/4/archival_objects/327591910s210Valley National Bank, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327601960s211Post Office and Catholic Church, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327611920s212State Teachers College and Campus, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327621920s213Post Office and Federal Court House, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327631940s214Nighttime View of U.S. Post Office and Government Court House, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327641940s215United States Court House and Post Office, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/32765circa 1905216Franklin St. looking Southeast, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327661910s217Stoneleigh Inn, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327671910s218N. Main St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327681910s219S. Main St., Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327691910s220News-Register Building, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327701910s221Entrance to Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton/repositories/4/archival_objects/327711910s222Road in Gypsie Hill Park, Staunton/repositories/4/archival_objects/32772circa 1900223Monterey Hotel, Monterey, Virginia/repositories/4/archival_objects/327731930s224Hotel Monterey (Monterey, Va.)Hudson Memorial Auditorium, Massanetta Springs/repositories/4/archival_objects/327741970s225Pictures copied from Chamber of Commerce book, Harrisonburg/repositories/4/archival_objects/327751920s226Newspaper articles/repositories/4/archival_objects/327761996-2007227Scope and ContentsIncludes Fading Images column by Casey Billhimer from The Valley Banner as well as assorted Daily News-Record articles and postcard facsimiles.