Wilderness Road Trail Marker
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
Gateway to Western Lands
Southwestern Virginia

The settlers learned about the Cumberland Gap from the Native Americans. The trail was not wide enough for wagons in the early days. It was widened in later years making passage of wagons possible, whereby families were more easily brought to the western frontier.

Long rifles and tools provided frontier settlers the means to:
            -provide food and protection for their families
            -clear land on which to build homes
            -enjoy a large measure of independence & freedom

These settlers became known as "overmountain men." Many became skilled sharpshooters and horsemen. Many became members of militias which were called into service when needed.