Tuggle's Gap, Floyd County Virginia

HISTORY PAGE

     In 1768 Benjamin Tuggle IV surveyed and platted about one thousand acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Patrick and Floyd counties in Virginia. The old wagon road passed through this tract of land and was the origin of Tuggles Gap. This gap is located about eight miles from Floyd, the county seat of Floyd County and abouty twenty miles from Stuart, the county seat of Patrick County.

     Two nephews of Benjamin Tuggle IV, who never married, settled on the land about the close of the Revolutionary War and Benjamin divided the land between them. The children Reuben and Joshua Tuggle lived in the land for many years.

     Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel has been in continuous business for over sixty years. The original shell of the building was built in 1938 in anticipation of the future Blue Ridge Parkway. It was first to be a gas station also selling soda pop and candy. As the parkway was completed thru Floyd County, the need for food and lodging was recognized and the first eight motel units were built. This was accomplished by the first family, General Boyd and his daughter Irene Spangler and her husband George. They and their children ran the business for about 45 years.

     In 1985, Retired Marine Bill Mills, purchased the business and ran it for 8 years. Currently the business is owned and operated by Neil and Cheri Baker. The Baker family has been here for over fifteen years. In the life of the restaurant and  motel the Bakers are only the third family to operate the business. I recent years many improvements have been made to the motel and restaurant by the Bakers. Two of the most popular dishes today are the pan-fried chicken and Tuggles Gap Pie.