On Sunday, November 17, at 2:30 p.m., the annual general membership meeting of the Patrick County Historical Society & Museum will feature local author Larry Hopkins as guest speaker. Larry will present “Milepost 75: From Taylorsville to Stuart – By Rail,” in which he will discuss the arrival of the ”Dick & Willie” railroad into Patrick County and explore how that helped to shape and develop the village of Taylorsville into the town of Stuart.
The program, to be held in the museum at 116 West Blue Ridge Street in Uptown Stuart, will feature photos and other memorabilia Hopkins has collected over many years.
Born in Patrick County, Hopkins resided in the town of Stuart for almost 50 years where he and his wife Eva raised their two sons, Josh and Ryan. After studying engineering at Virginia Tech, Larry received a BA from Mars Hill College and returned to Patrick County where he developed a strong interest in local history.
After pursuing family history and other local interests, his research eventually led to railroading, particularly the Danville & Western Railway Company, better known locally as the “Dick and Willie.” Fascinated with its history and narrow-gauge railroading, Larry spent more than two decades
collecting facts, photos, and memorabilia pertaining to this local legend. In 2017 he published a history of the Dick & Willie Railway that contained much of the information he had compiled. The book soon sold out and more copies were ordered, but due to various delays, including the death of his publisher,
the book has only recently been republished in a softcover edition.
Larry has shared his knowledge of the D&W on several occasions at local and state sponsored events. In 2001, he was the guest speaker for the annual meeting of the Southern Railway Historical Society, and the following year, he spoke about the D&W at the 22nd Annual National Narrow Gauge Railroad Convention held in Providence, Rhode Island.
Hopkins is President Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Patrick County Historical Society and Museum, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History in Mt. Airy, NC. When he was not researching and collecting railroad history, Larry had a successful
career in human resources for over 40 years. He is currently enjoying retirement with his wife Eva at their home in Stuart, Va., but has never lost his fascination with the beloved Dick & Willie and its remarkable history.
