It’s been nearly a year now that my wife and I moved from Holmes Co., Ohio to Virginia’s Rockingham Co. One way I’m learning about the area, its people, its topography, its history, its culture, is just by driving around. Of course, I usually have my camera with me to document what I see and find.
Before we moved from Ohio, we would pass through a small burg named Cootes Store on our way to visit our daughter and her family in Harrisonburg. It was hardly more than a crossroads in the northwestern part of the county. I found the name intriguing and just assumed that once upon a time a real “Cootes Store” must have existed there.
On one of my discovery runs, I found Cootes Store. Its personality jumped out at me through all of the old, eclectic merchandise visible inside and out. This likely isn’t the original building, but it is all that remains of what once must have been a thriving business to have a town named for it.
You can read more about the history of Cootes Store here. “Cootes Store” is my Photo of the Week.
© Bruce Stambaugh 2018
Roadkill Crossing 
Hi, locals know this as Cootes Store, and pronounced with two syllables, even though it is not a possessive: Coo-tzes. Your link to the history spells it the way I’m indicating here. Not to jump on you as a 1 year resident, but the spelling is easy to correct of course on a blog. 🙂 Unless your findings were different if you digged deeper?? And feel free to delete my comment if you wish!
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Thanks, Melody. I appreciate the info. Another VA friend pointed out my error, and I have changed it. Like you, she also schooled me on the pronunciation. It’s just one of many that are said much differently than the spelling would indicate.
Thanks, again.
Bruce
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This sounds like an interesting place to check out when we drive to Highland Retreat. it is likely near there. Thanks for enlarging our world as we are newbies in the area, or so it seems even though we have been here nearly 3 years.
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Donna,
I didn’t know you lived in the area? Yes, you would pass by were Cootes Store used to be as you cross the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. The old store pictured is no longer open. It sits to the south of SR 259 on SR 613. And, yes, it is on the way to Highland Retreat.
All the best,
Bruce
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My great grandmother and her people were from this village . We actually thought she was confused about the name of the town, but then Google proved her right! Fa.ily name is Funk and Whissen. Scots Irish.
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Very nice. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Hi my great grandmother and her line of the family is from this area. If you are intrested we do have some old pictures I’m happy to share.
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Thanks for letting me know, Christy. I’d love to see the pics. You can send them to me at bruce@brucestambaugh.com.
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