The Old Wytheville Fish Hatchery

Standing: Mr. & Mrs. George Seagle. Seated: Mr. and Mrs Stump (Mrs. Seagle's parents). On Ground: Nicholas and Betty Seagle Welch (daughter of George Seagle).By Dr. W. R. Chitwood © 1989

Issue: September, 1989

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from the book, "Glimpses of Wythe County, Virginia" compiled by Mary B. Kegley. This article was written by Dr. W. R. Chitwood. This excellent book may be ordered from Kegley Books, Post Office Box 134, Wytheville, Virginia 24382. It is hard back, 218 pages, with area photographs and references to early Wythe County families. Price is $21.80 in Virginia; $20.95 for out of state. Make check payable to Kegley Books. A catalog of this and other books available from Kegley Books may be obtained by writing to the same address.

There must have been considerable excitement when Colonel Marshall McDonald of the Virginia Fish Commission arrived in Wytheville [Virginia] in August of 1879 to choose a location for a fish hatchery.

After viewing the area, Colonel McDonald selected a three and one half acre tract of land donated by S.P. Browning from his farm, three and one half miles west of Wytheville, off the Old Stage Road. The site was ideal as it had a bold spring which produced five to six thousand gallons of cold water per day. Below the spring was Tate's Run which could be used for fish ponds to rear older fish. In addition to these two features, the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad (later known as the N & W) ran adjacent to the site and would serve to transport fish all over the U.S. Twenty more acres of land were acquired later.

By November, the hatchery was in operation with William E. Page of Lynchburg as the first superintendent, assisted by J. Taylor Gleaves and Thomas Page. Already the hatchery had produced "hundreds of thousands" of young California salmon. The only building present was the hatchery house, but a six-room cottage for the superintendent was under construction. The large superintendent's house was not built until 1898.

View of arched bridge at Hatchery in 1968.The U.S. Fish Commission began operating the establishment in 1882, and bought it outright in 1896. In 1885, the other buildings, ponds, and grading were completed and the hatchery distributed the largest number of trout than any other station in the U.S. Twelve new rearing ponds, nine spawning ponds for trout, pipes to the ponds, a rock retaining wall on Tate's Run and a two-story building for rearing troughs were built in 1898.

In 1880, George A. Seagle, a native of Wythe County, became the second supervisor of the hatchery. He became an outstanding fish culturist, wrote a most detailed and practical study on the subject, and invented the "Seagle shipping box" for transporting trout fry over long distances. Mr. Seagle retired in 1922 and was succeeded by Charles B. Grater of Leadville, Colorado. Mr. Grater served until 1930 when Samuel A. ("Gus") Scott became the fourth manager of the hatchery. Mr. Scott, also a Wythe County native, was in charge of the station at Orangeburg, South Carolina before returning to Wytheville. Under Mr. Scott's management, the Wytheville hatchery produced 20,000 to 25,000 pounds of fish annually, mainly California rainbow trout, bass and bream.

The old Wytheville Fish Hatchery was closed in 1968, two years after a new facility was opened on Reed Creek in the eastern part of the county. The government gave the Wytheville Community College the use of the old hatchery for biology classes.

Cutting ice from fish ponds at the Fish Hatchery. The ice was stored and used later in the year. (Date of photo unknown.) This photo is from the W.R. Chitwood collection, original photo is from Harlan Gilman, Wytheville, Virignia.Over the years, the old hatchery was one of the most beautifully landscaped places in the country. Many people visited it, not only to see the fish, but to enjoy the well-kept grounds, to picnic, and to have "outings." Few visitors to Wythe County left without a visit to the hatchery. Most of the ponds with their overhanging willow trees and arched concrete bridges are gone now, but those who ever visited the old facility will always have fond memories of it.

Editor's Note: The Old Wytheville Fish Hatchery is one of the highlights of this month's BACKROAD tour. It was bought at auction two years ago and is now operated by Dale Bracken. He and his wife reside in the beautiful old superintendent's house and they, along with his father, are restoring the magnificent old hatchery. They have cleaned out many of the concrete ponds and are operating a rainbow trout farm at the location. Most of their harvest of mature trout are shipped to eastern Virginia and sold to restaurants in Richmond and other cities. Trout are also sold to individuals for stocking private ponds or mature trout may be purchased at $1.75 per fish (approximately one pound each) for home consumption. Future plans include a public two and a half acre trout fishing pond to be open in 1990, on a pay by the pound for what you catch basis. The Brackens are slowly, but surely making progress in reclaiming the once beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding the ponds. When the Brackens bought the hatchery, about two years ago, it had been unused for nearly 20 years. Weeds and small trees had nearly overrun everything. As they started clearing it though, they found the original equipment (pipes, valves and such) in such good condition that very little had to be replaced. Two of the larger ponds have been stocked with bass and catfish, which they hope to be able to breed. Their goal is to eventually have everything back to the original park-like condition, no small job.