High above the town of Clifton Forge, Virginia, a bright Christmas Star has illuminated the holiday season for generations. Perched atop the ridge long known as Frazier’s Hill, the star has become a symbol of tradition, love, and community spirit, as familiar to residents as the mountains that surround the town. Each Christmas season, the Noel Family places the star in its high, prominent location, where it can be seen by residents and travelers alike.
The roots of the tradition trace back to 1920, when Benjamin Harrison Noel, originally from Rockbridge County, purchased land on the hill from John Frazier. This transaction is the reason the site retains the name Frazier’s Hill, even though the Noel family has lived there for more than a century.
Benjamin and his wife raised seven children — six daughters and one son — on the hill. Among them was Nora Noel Webb, one of the daughters remembered fondly by many local families. In those early days, there were only three families living on the hill, creating a close-knit mountaintop community.
Life on Frazier’s Hill required determination and resilience. The Noel children attended grade school in Selma and walked two miles around the mountain to Selma School and two miles back, making the four-mile daily journey in all seasons. Later, when they progressed to Central High School in Low Moor, the commute became even more involved. They would walk down the hill to Verge Street, then continue three blocks to the wood-covered bridge across the Jackson River, where they boarded the school bus—one that had already traveled to Iron Gate to pick up students before reaching Clifton Forge.
The Christmas Star itself dates back to the 1960s, a dream that originated with Benjamin Harrison Noel. He envisioned a large, shining star that would overlook the entire town during the holiday season. The original star, constructed in 1962, stood 30 feet tall and was illuminated with 60 household light bulbs, a simple yet brilliant design that cast a warm glow across the valley. Over the decades, its light became a familiar comfort, marking the arrival of Christmas for families throughout the area.
Through the years, the star has been lovingly referred to by a number of names, including the Noel Star and Nannie Marie’s Star, depending on which family member’s memories or stories were being shared. Regardless of the name, its purpose and legacy remain the same: a beacon of hope, warmth, and tradition, shining over Clifton Forge and honoring the family that made it possible.
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