About Destination Maple
A street that has always connected Covington.
Maple Avenue links the city's railroad beginnings, industrial growth, public life and ongoing downtown renewal.
The beginning
A town meets the railroad
Covington began developing in the early 1800s near Dunlap Creek and the Jackson River. The community was named in 1819 for General Leonard Covington, a War of 1812 officer, and became the county seat when Alleghany County was formed in 1822.
The defining shift came on July 1, 1867, when the Virginia Central Railroad reached Covington. The line soon became part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, connecting the town to eastern Virginia, West Virginia and communities beyond the mountains.
Rail access encouraged commerce, travel, manufacturing and population growth. Maple Avenue, running beside the tracks, naturally became one of the city's most active transportation and commercial corridors.
The defining shift came on July 1, 1867, when the Virginia Central Railroad reached Covington. The line soon became part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, connecting the town to eastern Virginia, West Virginia and communities beyond the mountains.
Rail access encouraged commerce, travel, manufacturing and population growth. Maple Avenue, running beside the tracks, naturally became one of the city's most active transportation and commercial corridors.
Why Destination Maple?
One corridor. Many layers of history.
The story is easy to see on foot. The depot explains why travelers came. Hotel Collins shows how local business grew around them. No. 701 recalls the age of steam. The Discovery Center carries the story into science and industry, while the riverfront, Hotel Collins Park and planned Firehouse Museum show how historic places can support community life today.
Destination Maple brings these places together as one visitor experience. It is both a history tour and an invitation to spend time downtown - to walk, learn, take photographs, attend an event and discover more of Covington.
Destination Maple brings these places together as one visitor experience. It is both a history tour and an invitation to spend time downtown - to walk, learn, take photographs, attend an event and discover more of Covington.
Milestones
The Maple Avenue timeline
1819
Covington is named
The community takes the name of General Leonard Covington.
1867
The railroad arrives
The Virginia Central reaches Covington and opens a new era of travel and trade.
1890
Freight depot
The brick freight depot serves the movement of goods through the growing town.
1902
Fire department
The Covington Fire Department begins its long tradition of community service.
1908
Passenger depot
The C&O passenger depot welcomes travelers to Maple Avenue.
1910
Hotel Collins
Michael M. Collins builds the hotel across from the station.
1911
No. 701 is built
The locomotive later known as the Merry Widow enters service.
1954
A landmark is saved
No. 701 is placed on public display in Covington.
2021
Discovery Center opens
Historic storefronts begin a new life as an interactive learning destination.
Today
The next chapter
New parks, streetscape improvements and museum plans strengthen the corridor.
Historical stewardship
Preserving the story together
Destination Maple draws on information preserved by the Alleghany Historical Society, C&O Historical Society, Society of Architectural Historians, City of Covington, Visit Alleghany Highlands and local reporting. Dates, hours and project details can change; individual attraction websites remain the best source for current visitor information.