Shared by Zachary Hubbard, as Guest Blogger.

There is a small community that is found along the New River, created by the mining of lead and zinc. Founded in the 1790s, Austinville has been a part of many historic chapters in American history. One family, the Austins, would put the city on the map by creating a mining legacy stretching from Virginia to Missouri to Texas and making it a birthplace of a man who would found a state. This story begins with two brothers who, like many others, wanted to find their fortunes in the New River Valley. 

Bridge crossing a small portion of the New River

Moses and Stephen Austin were brothers from Connecticut who decided to travel to the wild lands of Southwest Virginia in pursuit of the vast mining opportunities presented in the state-owned lead mines of Wythe County. Moses convinced the state to award them with a contract in which they would take ownership of the mines as long as the lead they were producing was excavated in Virginia and that they would provide the lead needed for the new roof of the capitol building in Richmond. In exchange, the state would pay above the regular price for the lead. 

The land where the mines were located.

It was this contract that allowed the birth of Austinville, VA in 1792. The site would employ many locals in the area and would attract new immigrants from all over, including experienced miners and smelters from England like Thomas Jackson who would one day take ownership of the mines and build the Shot Tower. 

Austinville access at New River Trail State Park

Though the mining site grew and the town began to flourish, the Austins were unable to keep up with the demands of the Virginia government. Moses began to look West for relief from debt and his failed ventures. He found it in the promising lead mines of Breton, now known as Potosi, Missouri in 1798. Moses and his family, including his son Stephen, began to make a new living in Missouri.

Moses, known as the founder of the American Lead Industry, would lead his men to the first Anglo-American settlement west of the Mississippi River. There he would take over the lead industry using techniques he learned from English smelters, gaining a wealth of $190,000 in 1798. This period in the world of lead would become the “Moses Austin Period”. However, this wealth would not last.

With the War of 1812 came economic depression and Moses, like others, was trying his hand at banking. He helped found the Bank of St. Louis, the first bank west of the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, in 1819 this venture failed and cost Moses most of what money he had left. Moses decided the only way to save himself from economic ruin was to move further west.

Moses would develop a plan in 1819 to settle the first American Colony in Spanish Texas. Through many political meetings and the rekindling of friendships made along the way, Moses was able to build a relationship with the Spanish Government, setting his family up for glory and wealth. However, fate had other plans.

While on a trip, Moses suffered through weeks of cold and wet weather and developed pneumonia. However, on his return, he received the news that he was waiting for. The Spanish Crown awarded him and his group permission to settle. Moses put all of his time and energy in preparing for the “Texas Venture” but disregarded his health. In 1821, two days before he died, Moses told his son as his final wish, that he must make it to the new land of Texas.

Stephen Fuller Austin, born at the Austinville Mines so long ago, agreed to accomplish his father’s dream. He would go on to lead 300 American families to Texas in 1825. Today, Stephen F. Austin is celebrated as the “Father of Texas”. 
It was through this small town in Southwest Virginia that fortunes were made, dreams became reality, and history was born. Virginia and Texas may be great distances away, but they will forever be connected. 

Inscription to Stephen F. Austin
at the Stephen F. Austin Memorial Park in Austinville

This is just one of the many stories found along New River Trail State Park. If you would like to learn more about the history, culture, and the industries that helped build America, give us a visit and check out our historical and cultural programs that are held here. 

Resources:
"AUSTIN, MOSES," Handbook of Texas Online, David B. Gracy II
https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fau12 
“AUSTIN, STEPHEN FULLER,” Handbook of Texas Online, Eugene C. Barker
https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fau14