5461 Tumbling Creek Rd, Saltville, VA 24370 - Washington County

Escape to pure country living with a home on the River and Creek. Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Virginia. This charming country cottage has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and sits on approximately +/- 42 acres of historically significant land. Surrounded by water on three sides, the property boasts over 2,000+ feet of frontage on the North Fork Holston River, renowned for its world-class smallmouth bass fishing. Additionally, the property features over 1,500+ feet of frontage on Tumbling Creek, a pristine, stocked trout stream that flows from the Clinch Mountain Management area. On the other side, a cold mountain spring creek winds its way through the land. Whether you seek a full-time residence, a recreational getaway, or a summer retreat, this idyllic location offers the perfect balance of tranquility and adventure.

Online Auction Ends Friday, April 11th, at 3 PM

5461 Tumbling Creek Rd., Saltville, VA 24370

PREVIEW DATES: Saturday, March 29th at 11 AM and Friday, April 4th at 4 PM

Historical Significance

The historical significance of this property is deeply intertwined with the rich history of Saltville, Virginia, during the Civil War. Saltville, though a small town, was a key player in the war effort, providing two-thirds of the salt used by the Confederacyan essential resource for preserving food during the conflict.

In September of 1864, Union Major General Burbridge was tasked with launching a raid into Southwestern Virginia to disrupt salt production. Three months later, Union General Stoneman advanced on the area, determined to destroy the salt works. Colonel Preston, leading the local militia, established hilltop gun positions to defend the region. However, outnumbered and outflanked, Preston was forced to retreat to Tazewell, Virginia. Stonemans forces eventually destroyed the salt works the following day, though they were quickly rebuilt by March 1865.

Earthworks and entrenchments still dot the hills and ridges surrounding Saltville, with many of these remnants located on private land. This property itself saw intense fighting along the North Fork Holston River, and accounts describe Union soldiers crossing the river and advancing through Broodys Bottom, under fire, and along Big Tumbling Creek. These historic views are imaginable from the propertys front porch today. The Broody Hole, a natural pool of water in the area, is maintained by the current owner and serves as a site for church baptisms, a place where souls are renewed just as the land and its history have endured.

North Fork River & Tumbling Creek

The North Fork Holston River, downstream of Saltville, Virginia, is known for its exceptional smallmouth bass fishery, producing bass up to five pounds regularly. The fishery also supports good populations of sunfish, rock bass, carp, and channel catfish. A regulation is in place for smallmouth bass, requiring a 20-inch minimum size limit from the Route 91 Bridge upstream of Saltville to the Tennessee state line. All smallmouth bass under 20 inches must be released, with anglers allowed to keep one fish over 20 inches per day. This rule is designed to protect and enhance the rivers trophy smallmouth bass population. Population surveys indicate a healthy smallmouth presence, with trophy fish found in most sampled sections. The abundance of smallmouths is about average compared to other Virginia rivers, but there is a notably higher proportion of bass in the 1418-inch range. Other species such as sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, carp, and sucker were also observed, and new angler access sites have been established near Saltville to support fishing activities.

The Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area, located in the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in southwest Virginia, offers put-and-take trout fishing from the first Saturday in April through September. Trout is stocked several times a week during the season. After the fee fishing period, the area transitions to designated stocked trout waters. The fishing area covers about 7 miles of Big Tumbling Creek and its tributaries, Briar Cove Creek and Laurel Bed Creek, which features steep, rocky terrain with waterfalls and deep pools. Laurel Bed Lake, also managed for trout, helps augment the flow for Big Tumbling Creek. Fishing is permitted daily from 5 AM to one hour after sunset, with trout stocked four times weekly. Camping is available, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources manages the surrounding land.

BIDDER PACK: Download Bidder Pack for complete information. Bidder Pack has maps, complete terms and conditions, sample contracts, tax cards, and restrictions. Some of the plats in Bidder Pack may have notations and boundaries created by Auctioneer for illustration purposes, however unchanged surveys are in Bidder Pack as well.

SOFT CLOSE: If a bid is received within the last 2 minutes of the auction or after 3 PM, the auction close time will automatically extend 2 minutes to allow other bidders an opportunity to competitively bid prior to the auction closing. This feature eliminates snipers and encourages fair and impartial bidding from all participants.

BUYERS PREMIUM TEN PERCENT (10%): Buyers Premium shall be added to the final online bid, which will determine the Total Contract Sales Price. Bidders hereby acknowledge and understand that the Buyers Premium will be added to the winning bid to create the Total Contract Sales Price for which they are obligated to pay for the property. Example: (winning online bid $100,000 + 10% buyers premium = total purchase price of $110,000). Buyers Premium is not due until closing.

PRE-AUCTION SALES: As an agent for the Seller, the Auctioneer must present any and all bona fide written offers to the Seller, which may be created outside of the online bidding platform. Therefore, all properties are subject to pre-auction sales. Pre-auction offers must meet all off the auction terms and conditions and must be submitted to the Auctioneer on the Auction Real Estate Sales Contract, along with the required earnest deposit. Properly submitted offers will be presented to the Seller in a timely manner. Seller may accept or reject such offer at their sole and absolute discretion. When a pre-auction offer is submitted, all properly registered online bidders will be notified that an offer has been submitted and on which specific property, however the amount of the offer shall remain confidential. All pre-auction offers must allow a minimum of 24 hours for sellers acceptance. A Referral Fee of 2% of the high bid is offered to a cooperating VA State Licensed Real Estate Salesperson/Broker on any pre-auction offers that are properly completed and submitted on the appropriate forms provided. Download Bidder Pack for Online Bidders Agreement, maps, sample contracts, and property information.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

10% Buyers Premium will be added to final high bid to arrive at contract price. Earnest Money Deposit of $10,000 is required on the day of sale. Close on or before May 27th, 2025. Subject to seller confirmation. Property sold as is, where is with any and all faults. Buyer is expected to complete their own due diligence before placing a bid. Auction starts ending at 3 PM on April 11th, 2025. Please note that during the last two minutes of bidding, if a new bid is placed, the clock is automatically extended an additional two minutes. Be sure to register to bid early to ensure you receive notifications regarding any changes to the Auction, Bidder Packet and/or Pre-Auction offers received. Download Bidder Information Pack for complete terms and conditions, purchase contract and maps.