History
Glencoe, the History
In 1863, Confederate Colonel Gabriel Colvin Wharton (1824-1906, left) met and married Anne Rebecca Radford (1843-1890), the daugther of Dr. John Blair Radford, for whom the City of Radford is named.
Six years later, with the Civil War over and the former Colonel promoted to General,
the young Wharton family was deeded 554 acres by Dr. Radford. As the third wealthiest
landowner in the area, General Wharton set about to rebuild Glencoe as his family’s
new stately home on the banks of the New River.
more
Radford Memories
St. Albans School for Boys just across the New River was supposed to be one of the finest preparatory schools in the South. Founded by George W. Miles thanks to generous land offer by General Gabriel C. Wharton, the new school was opened in 1892 with about 70 students. The school lasted only until 1911 before the majestic old buildings were converted into a psychiatric hospital - St. Albans Sanatorium. The hospital was in operation until the 1990s. In 2002, Carilion donated the property to Radford University to be used as a "West Campus". In late 2007, the historic buildings were slated for demolition, something the Radford Heritage Foundation was able to stop in time. However, the property will now be auctioned of to private developers which leaves the future of St. Albans uncertain. If you want to support us in presreving this historic landmark, please stop by Glencoe Museum and sign a petition. For more information on the history of St. Albans, check these articles.
