Keokee Store No. 1
Also known as: Keokee High School Gymnasium; Vdhr 052-0066; Darnell's Store
Why it's listed
Built in 1910 in the former coalmining camp of Keokee, in far western Virginia, this two-story stone building with a gambrel roof began as the company commissary for the Stonega Coke and Coal Company. As Keokee Store No. 1, it was the central focus of community life and a symbol of company dominance until it closed in July 1932. In 1938 the Lee County School Board acquired it, and in 1939, with federal public works funding, it was converted into a gymnasium for the new Keokee High School. The upper level holds the gym floor and a stage, with locker rooms below, and a later brick addition stands at the east end. Vinyl siding now covers the front and rear, though the long stone sides remain largely unaltered. It is considered a rare surviving commissary from the area's earliest mining period, and it still serves the school as a gymnasium, having hosted athletics, education and entertainment.
Significance in brief: It is a rare surviving coalmining camp commissary from the earliest period of mining in the area. It reflects the commerce and industry of the Stonega Coke and Coal Company and the Keokee community. After 1939 it served as a gymnasium hosting athletic, educational and entertainment activities for students and local residents.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07000397, listed April 30, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Cty Rd. 606, Keokee |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | April 30, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000397 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1910-1954 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Education, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in public school use as a gymnasium; altered in 1939, with vinyl siding on the front and rear and a later brick addition. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 36.86523, -82.89979 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07000397.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712661
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.