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Established in 1795 by John MacKey. Timber Grove, two miles northeast, is believed to be the first European American settlement in what is now Rockbridge County. The community, composed mainly of Scots-Irish immigrants, had been formed by the late 1730s. Presbyterian minister John Craig, who traveled extensively in the backcountry, baptized several residents in 1741, and a meetinghouse had been constructed by 1748. A small cemetery is the only remnant of this settlement. In 1755-56, community members built the stone Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church here.
John Mackey, traditionally regarded as the area's first European settler, is buried in this church's cemetery; his gravestone is significant because of its age and craftsmanship.
The William MacKey House
The William Mackey House (Mulberry Grove): The primary historical landmark remaining on the property is the two-story limestone home built in 1796 for John Mackey’s son, William Mackey. It is also historically known as Mulberry Grove.
The William Mackey House illustrates the transition from rude frontier structures to solid, permanent dwellings with architectural pretensions that occurred in the Shenandoah Valley in the late 18th century. Compared with its simple log predecessors, the limestone-built Mackey House is a sophisticated structure with finely crafted detailing, including an elegant classical cornice. Except for a front porch and a rear wing, both added around 1900, the house survives without significant alteration, preserving nearly all of its original interior woodwork. It was built in 1796 for William Mackey, son of the Scottish immigrant and Rockbridge County pioneer, John Mackey. The property, situated in an exceptionally scenic section of the county, remains in the ownership of Mackey’s descendants and is one of the oldest family holdings in the region.
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