lakeretreat.comLake Retreat Properties Inc: Smith Mountain Lake, VA | Vacation Rentals

Call Us: (540) 297-6002 Toll-Free: (800) 421-6980 At Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia Sales Featured Listings Easy Search Waterfront Homes Waterfront Homes Under $500,000 Waterfront Homes $500,000. – $1M Waterfront Homes Over $1M Waterfront Lots Waterfront Lots Under $250,000 Waterfront Lots $250,000. – $500,000 Waterfront Lots Over $500,000 Townhomes & Condos SML Townhomes & Condos Lake Access Lake Access Homes Lake Access Lots County Homes & Land Homes Lots Land Full Search Vacation Rentals View All Rentals Search By Name or Preference Pet Friendly Frequently Asked Questions About Us Real Estate Sales View Featured Listings Vacation Rentals View Listings Helpful Resources Obtain a Fishing License Boating Requirements Boat Rentals Smith Mountain Lake Weather Current Smith Mountain Lake Level AEP Smith Mountain Project SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE HISTORY ALMOST 55 YEARS AGO , surveyors arrived in rural Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties to flag 800′ above sea level, the point at which Appalachian Power Company would retain the right to flood. Bulldozers followed and carved a ribbon of land 500 miles long which was the stopping point for the impounded waters of the Roanoke River, also named the Staunton River below the point where the Blackwater River flowed into the larger Roanoke. The Staunton River formed a giant horseshoe bend and snaked it’s way through the gap of Smith Mountain. The only clearing done was to those trees which would reach near or above the surface of the water. Everything else was left standing. Read More  Call Us (540)297-6002 - Phone (800)421-6980 - Toll Free (540)297-2877 - Fax  Visit Us 6760 White House Road Huddleston, VA 24104  Email Us sales@lakeretreat.com rentals@lakeretreat.com  Facebook Like Us & Share Us © 2020 Lake Retreat Properties Inc | Powered by BH Media CLOSE SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE HISTORY ALMOST 55 YEARS AGO , surveyors arrived in rural Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties to flag 800′ above sea level, the point at which Appalachian Power Company would retain the right to flood. Bulldozers followed and carved a ribbon of land 500 miles long which was the stopping point for the impounded waters of the Roanoke River, also named the Staunton River below the point where the Blackwater River flowed into the larger Roanoke. The Staunton River formed a giant horseshoe bend and snaked it’s way through the gap of Smith Mountain. The only clearing done was to those trees which would reach near or above the surface of the water. Everything else was left standing. My father left all our barns and sheds, he moved the sawmill up to the upper edge of the farm, as well as part of the farmhouse, he tore the rest of the house down after removing reuseable materials. I don’t know what the few other families did, however I’m assuming their move to higher ground followed a similar pattern. I was in elementary school at the time and thought it pretty grand that we were moving into a new brick ranch and that the creeks were coming out of their banks. The flooding of Craddock Creek which flowed right below our house took quite a while. My dad built a dock on barrels and I remember he would hook the tractor to it every week or so and pull it farther up the hill. Lots of people drove past our new house and down to where the road ran right into the water just to see the sight. Some brought boats and ventured out into the water among the trees, I vividly remember men and women water-skiing around and through the trees as the lake was filling. My dad started digging holes for pilings for docks and opened a marina shortly after the lake filled. There were many years of boating and fishing and skiing in which we would have the lake all to ourselves. It was the most beautiful paradise right in our own backyard. When the creeks started to come out of their banks, the world as we knew it, changed… The result was Smith Mountain Lake and its unsurpassed beauty! Let me help you find a “Lake Retreat” and while we’re at it we can talk about the history of this “young” lake. One trip to Smith Mountain Lake and you will not want to leave!!! Jeanette Mitchell Childress, Broker and Owner of Lake Retreat Properties CLOSE...