VALLEY MILLS
Valley Mills, a community south of Route 626, covers a large area. Craddock's Creek, 
which runs through Valley Mills, is mostly covered by the lake now. The ford across the 
creek was replaced in 1950 by a bridge, and the bridge was dismantled in 1964 to make 
way for Smith Mountain Lake.
PLYMALE
Matthew Plymale operated a store and post office. The post office was in operation from 
1901 to 1904, when mail was transferred to Thurmans. The old chimney is still standing 
on the Raymond Plymale property on Valley Mill Road, across from Staunton Baptist 
Church.
About a mile to the southwest are the old chimneys left from the home of William Bryant 
Plymale, a beautiful spot overlooking the lake where once flowed Craddock's Creek and 
Staunton River.
Across the road from Staunton Baptist Church on the southeast corner is the foundation 
of Hillcrest School. Myrtle Saunders taught there. Mr. William Davis Franklin donated 
land on his farm for the school.
Mr. Franklin operated a mill that only ground corn. Most of his farm is now under water. 
His daughter, Eva Mitchell, is the present owner.
Hayden Franklin and Kit Saunders had a canning factory near Staunton Church. The old 
stone fence that Kit Saunders built is still there.
Graves Store was on Route 740. The store on Route 853, at Greers Ford, is now under 
water. There was also a store at Route 626 and 656, at Shallow Ford.
Graves Store, located at Routes 608 and 740. O.R. Graves operated the store until he 
died. He had twelve children. He traded and sold chickens, rabbits, eggs, dried apples 
among other things. G.R. Haley was proprietor in 1914. Mr. Ayers operated the store 
later. It closed in 1960.
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