This March, don’t rely on luck to make your junk disappear — we’ve got you covered! Got a sofa that’s older than your last four-leaf clover? A lamp that’s definitely not a treasure? Time to send it to the end of the rainbow (aka the curb).
Set your bulk items out on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and let our crew work their magic. No leprechauns required.
🌈 Don’t press your luck — get it to the curb!
Business License Renewals:
Town Administrative Offices are closed today, Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of President's Day.
TRAFFIC NOTICE
Due to downed power lines at 18.3 mile, Interstate 81 is blocked in both the northbound and southbound lanes. AEP is on the scene, as well as VDOT and the Virginia State Police, and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Incident has also interrupted the traffic signals at Exit 17. Abingdon Police Department is on scene to direct traffic. Please use caution in the area and follow any directions from law enforcement.
Expect congestion and delays when traveling in the area, as well as when traveling through Town.
Please take approximately 10 minutes to complete this 18-question survey by February 20, 2026. All responses will remain confidential and will be reported only in aggregate to help set goals and establish desired outcomes for the plan.
This survey will help us better understand community needs and ensure the plan reflects how we can best serve both Abingdon residents and visitors.
Please feel free to share this survey with anyone who would like to provide input and help shape the future of cultural heritage tourism in Abingdon.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about the survey or planning process, please contact Isaiah Thomas at ithomas@abingdon-va.gov or 276-628-3167.
To participate in the survey, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AbingdonCHT
RESTORING & EXPLORING ABINGDON
Welcome to the third segment of Restoring and Exploring Abingdon! If it’s getting restored, rebuilt, reimagined, or rediscovered—we’re going to talk about it. From historic landmarks getting a new lease on life, to community improvements you’ve maybe driven by ten times without noticing, we're here to shine a light on all the good things happening behind the scenes.
For our third segment, we'd like to explore Sinking Spring Cemetery! In winter of 2024, ETSU Graduate Student, Noah Hall, under the advisement of Associate Professor Eileen Ernenwein, partnered with the Town of Abingdon to investigate the number of unmarked graves that are in the Eastern section of Sinking Spring Cemetery. During that time, Town Foreman of Facilities, James Frazier, approached Senior Planner, Gabe Cristofari, with some information that was beneficial to Mr. Hall's project. Mr. Frazier, a veteran, recognized the insignia on a gravestone in the cemetery, identifying the individual as a Buffalo Soldier.
Upon further investigation, Town staff identified two additional Buffalo Soldiers laid to rest in the Eastern section of Sinking Spring Cemetery. The Town is awaiting biographies on the two additional soldiers from the National Park Service. However, we have identified the first Buffalo Solider as Sidell City Fulton, who fought in the Spanish American War, and his biography is below:
On November 10, 1875, Sidell City Fulton was born in Morristown, Tennessee. His father, Mack, and oldest brother, James, worked as barbers. His mother, Eliza, cared for him and his four sisters at home as they attended school. Fulton later left school and worked as a laborer.
On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. As the country prepared for war, Fulton decided to enlist in the Army. On June 11, Fulton enlisted in the Army and was assigned to M Troop of the Ninth Cavalry. On June 14, the Ninth Cavalry departed for Cuba and prepared for battle. On July 1, the Ninth Cavalry participated in the Battle of San Juan Heights along with his troop, the Tenth Cavalry, Twenty-Fourth Infantry, Twenty-Fifth Infantry, and the First Cavalry “Rough Riders.”
After the Battle of San Juan Heights, the American forces were able to surround Havannah and force a surrender of the Spanish on August 13. Though the fighting had ended, soldiers continued to suffer from disease, so they were assigned to Camp Wikoff in Mountauk, New York, to quarantine and recuperate. On October 4, the Ninth Cavalry departed Camp Wikoff as they were assigned to Fort Grant, Arizona.
On January 28, 1899, Sidell was honorably discharged at Fort Grant. He was noted by his commanding officer as a “very Good” soldier. Fulton returned home to Morristown, Tennessee and worked as a hotel waiter. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a decorator and painter. On December 24, 1914, Fulton married Nannie G. Dorton. In 1940, they moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where Fulton worked as a laborer and painter.
On May 23, 1947, Sidell City Fulton died in Abingdon. On May 26, he was buried in the Sinking Spring Cemetery in Abingdon. On September 2, 1947, his wife, Nannie G. Fulton, ordered his headstone, which is still there today.
Photo: Sidell Fulton gravestone, courtesy of James Fraizer
For more information on the Buffalo Soldiers, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/index.htm
For more information on Sinking Spring Cemetery, or Noah Hall's thesis project, please contact Gabe Cristofari at gcristofari@abingdon-va.gov or 276-628-3167.
