Smiley Ratliff seeks utopia at Dilston in Tazewell County
Ratliff, known as Smiley, spent a decade breeding cattle and collecting antiques while designing and building his fortress like home Dilston on more than 20 000 acres in Tazewell County. The 19 room two story mansion completed in 1970 features a library guarded by a 300 year old chair and walls adorned with ancestral portraits. Ratliff, a former Hurley High School coach and WWII veteran, recounts a life of discipline faith and ambition. He published Keepers of the Name and the Blood and remains devoted to his utopian quest with plans to visit the South Central Pacific Island soon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ratliff
Utopia
Dilston
Dilston Castle
Umbria
England
Goamin
Tazewell
Ratliffs
Virginia
A.D
Smiley
National Geographic
Henderson Island
Grundy
Hurley High School
Ness
Henderson
Ratliff Island
Loinda
Darwyns
Calendar of evening events and meetings in Bluefield area
Bluefield State College center sponsors a world Christmas music program with choirs and musicians. WV Council on Professional Education meets at Econo Lodge in Princeton with noted speakers. Summit Singers present Songs of the Season Part III at Bluefield Area Arts and Crafts Center with a Tuesday repeat. Greater Bluefield Chamber hosts annual installation banquet at Bluefield Country Club with RSVP. Concord College Board of Advisors meets in Concord Room open to public. Main Street Bluefield hosts Christmas Parade entertainment at Bluefield Area Arts and Crafts Center. Department of Natural Resources offers hunter education at Peterstown Fire Department. Call for tips.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield State College Center For International Understanding
West Virginia Council On Professional Education
Econo Lodge
Oakvale Road
Princeton
Theublic Forum
West Virginia Department Education
Lyn Guy
Ted Mattern
Frank Blackwell
Emily Meadows
C. Richard Rhodes
Jerry Roncella
Ronald Childress
Tom Blevins
Henry Worrest
Summit Singers
Bluefield Area
Concord College Board of Advisors
Concord
Main Street
Bluefield
Bluefield College
Bluefield High School
Department of Natural Resources
Peterstown Fire Department
Barnes
Also Mentioned on This Page
Smiley’ Ratliff
Tazewell County
Grundy High
Italy
North Africa
Coal Busi
South Central Pacific
David E
Dave” Bowles
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Agency
Pat Bowles McCoy
Pat
Dave
Peggy
Peggy Bowles
S & T Hobbies, Inc
Mercer Street
Electrolux
The
USA
Canada
Pine Plaza
Princeton, WV
Woodlawn Florist & Greenhouses
North
Bluewell
Poinsettias
SUN
OPEN
Aileen Banister Shoe
Bass Factory
Black & Decker Book Warehouse
Ital Ela
Corning
Revere
AIM
Collectio Leather
Perfumania
Toys Unlimited
Wallet Works
Arrow Bow Worth Boot Factory
London Fog Westport Ltd
Wytheville
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!