Well, hello to everyone out there in Acorn land, and how are you all doing? There have been some location changes in Golden Acorn Land, and we are now in Blacksburg, Virginia. We moved from the Oak city of Raleigh to Hokie central in Blacksburg.
Along with any move, there comes a time when you go out and see what’s happening in your little corner of the world. This week’s blog is more of a travel spotlight with one of our stops in lovely Roanoke, Virginia, AKA The Big Lick.
When flipping through the TV channels, you might run across a show called “Salvage Dawgs.” Most likely, you will find it on DIY or HGTV, and you will catch it only on reruns now, much to my chagrin, after being aired for 11 years or 143 episodes.
Black Dog Salvage is a unique salvage company located in Roanoke, Virginia. The company was founded in the early 1990s by Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside and has since become a popular destination for fans of history, architecture, and design.
There is really no magic story here, just some hard-working people getting permission to go salvage hunting of old buildings, ships, or just about anything else that’s old and soon to be knocked down in the hopes of finding that diamond in the ruff item.
Black Dog Salvage specializes in salvaging materials from old and historic buildings, including items such as doors, windows, mantels, lighting fixtures, and columns (both Ionic and Corinthian…YES my college humanities is paying off) are the main treasures that are later turned into tables, carts, or a fancy bar top. It’s fun to see what they will find and how they turn it into something totally new or repurposed.
One of the most interesting aspects of Black Dog Salvage’s history is the way that the company has evolved over the years. In the beginning, Kulp and Whiteside focused mainly on salvaging materials from local buildings, but as the company grew, they expanded their operations to include buildings from all over the country. Today, Black Dog Salvage is one of the largest salvage companies in the United States, with a vast network of suppliers, customers, and fans.
Another interesting aspect of Black Dog Salvage’s history is its close connection to the local community. Roanoke has a rich history and a strong appreciation for the arts and architecture, and Black Dog Salvage has become an important part of this community. The company has worked with local organizations, such as the Roanoke Arts Commission, to help preserve the city’s architectural heritage, and it has also become a popular destination for tourists, who come to explore the store and learn about its history.
Black Dog Salvage has gained national recognition in recent years for its unique approach to salvaging and preserving historical materials. The company has been featured on several popular television shows, including the hit series “Salvage Dawgs,” which has helped to bring attention to the important work that Black Dog Salvage is doing. Additionally, the company has become a go-to resource for architects, designers, and other professionals who are looking for unique and authentic materials for their projects.
Black Dog Salvage is a company with a rich and interesting history, and its impact on the local community, the architectural and design industries, and the preservation of historical materials are genuinely remarkable. Whether you’re a history, architecture, or design fan, there is something to be appreciated and learned from Black Dog Salvage and its story. Also, you just might find an old Black Dog roaming the store looking for a little scratch behind her ear and a nice lick of appreciation. Or in my case, fleeing from my vicinity because it didn’t like the faces I was throwing her way. Oh well, there is always next time when I go back to this truly fun stop in Roanoke.
Until next time,
May all the Acorns you find be Golden!
Great story Jay. Lot of history. Will have to see if we can find the Black Dog TV show.