Reconstructing the history of Virginia's Lost Appalachian Trail has been a particularly difficult challenge, because sources on the history of this part of the trail are scattered over several archives in Virginia and West Virginia. The Archive of Sources provided here represents material found in the collections of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (Harpers Ferry, WV), the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club (Roanoke), the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Vienna, VA), the Jeff Matthews Museum (Galax), the Floyd Historical Society (Floyd), the Carroll County Historical Society (Hillsville), the Old Church Gallery (Floyd), and the personal collections of several individuals in Floyd, Patrick, and Carroll Counties, each of whom graciously shared their family histories with us. 

If you are interested in the history of the rest of the Appalachian Trail, there is much more to learn on this website.

Jim McNeely has compiled an exhaustive compendium of facts, data, and maps on the original route of the Appalachian Trail (available here). It is the best source for specific details about the old trail's route.