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Independence VA Information

Floyd County Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Washington County VA Attractions
Washington County VA Government Information

Grayson Highlands State Park
Virginia Creeper Trail
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
The Appalachian Trail

HISTORY

The Town of Independence came into being in 1850 as the settlement of a dispute about where to locate the county seat. At that time, a controversy arose between the people of Old Town and people of the Elk Creek area. Each group wanted the County seat in its area. The final decision, made by three commissioners from adjacent counties, was to locate on the site favored by a group of "independents" and to call the town Independence. These commissioners hiked to the top of Point Lookout Mountain and looked down into a grove of trees where 5 streams met and decided that would be the site for the new town. Independence is located 15 miles west of Galax, 40 miles east of Marion, 29 miles south of Wytheville, and 10 miles north of Sparta, North Carolina. The town provides water, sewer, police, and garbage services.

The population in 2000 was 971. Independence is an incorporated town with a Mayor/Council form of government

Floyd County VA - History and Facts

The county's terrain is rolling and the official elevation is 2,500 feet. Thirty-one miles of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway form the eastern border of the county.

Early land surveys show an attempt to settle the area now known as Floyd as early as the 1740's. Land records show settlements by 1748 and 1750. However, the county was not officially formed until January 15,1831, when an act of the Virginia General Assembly created Floyd from neighboring Montgomery County. The county was named after the governor of Virginia, John Floyd.

The current County seat, originally named Jacksonville for the seventh president, Andrew Jackson (1829-1837), was completed in 1834. Manassah Tice (5 acres) and Abraham Phlegar (1 acre) gave land for the county seat. The town was incorporated in 1858 and its name was changed from Jacksonville to Floyd in 1896. Floyd has some 238,578 acres and rises some 2,432 feet above sea level. Buffalo Mountain, at 3,971 feet, is the highest point in the county.

Shaped like an elongated triangle, the county lies between the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and two interstates. (No four-lane highways are within our borders, but thirty-one miles of the Parkway are in Floyd County.)

Floyd is a county of small mountains, valleys, ridges, and small streams. No water flows into the county; all sources of water arise within the county and flow out of the county's borders. Little River, the county's largest waterway is formed by three main branches, or forks: the East, West, and South (also known as Dodd's Creek) forks.

Nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, arsenic and soapstone were mined at one time in various parts of the county.

The spiritual needs of the county are served by a variety of denominations. Topeco Church of the Brethren is believed to be the first brick church in the county. While the church was formed in 1800, the brick structure was not completed until 1857, at a cost of $1300.

Iddings Chapel was the first Methodist church in the county, established in 1920.

The first Baptist church was New Haven, established in 1857.

Jacksonville Presbyterian Church was the first Presbyterian church. It was established in 1853.

Population
According to the 2000 Census estimates, Floyd County has a population of 13,874. The median age of the county's occupants is 37.8. The population for the
Town of Floyd is estimated at 432.

Climate Temperature Averages:
Annual: 53
Maximum: 72
Minimum: 36

Precipitation:
Average Rainfall: 43"
Average Snowfall: 21"

Humidity:
Average Relative: 67%

Terrain

Floyd County has a land area of 383 square miles and is located in the Blue Ridge province of the southwestern part of Virginia. The county seat, The Town of Floyd, is one hour southwest of Roanoke on U.S. 221. Floyd is one hour west of Martinsville, and 90 minutes north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The county's terrain is rolling and the official elevation is 2,500 feet. Thirty-one miles of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway form the majority of the eastern border of the county. Because Floyd County is the point of origin for its rivers and streams, there is only a slight flood hazard in the county.
 

A Brief History of Washington County, Virginia

Washington County was named for General George Washington before he was elected President. A history of Washington County, Virginia might include all the territory originally encompassed in Augusta County, formed by the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1738; Botetourt County in 1770; Fincastle County in 1772; and Washington County established on December 7, 1776. Each of the subsequent counties split from the Washington County of 1776: Russell County in 1786, Lee County in 1793, Tazewell County in 1800, Scott County in 1814, Smyth County in 1832, Wise County in 1836, Buchanan County in 1858, Dickenson County in 1880. Each has a history of its own. With a few exceptions, this article will be concerned with the current boundaries of Washington County, Virginia.

Pre-1777

The Great Valley of Virginia was a 'superhighway' for various tribes of original inhabitants of what is now known as the United States of America. Relics, such as arrowheads and tomahawk stones that attest to the presence of American Indians and continue to be found in local plowed fields. Scotch-Irish and German Settlers who traveled from Pennsylvania down what was called the Great Indian Trail encounter those people and the buffalo, which grazed along the way.

The American Revolution

In the fall of 1780, four hundred men from Washington County were mustered to travel under the command of Colonel William Campbell to overcome the British troops under the command of Patrick Ferguson. North Carolina and Tennessee militia from various counties joined with the Virginians to pursue the British and engage them at King's Mountain, South Carolina. The "Overmountain Men" were ordered to yell like Indians during this attack. The confusion that resulted from the yelling and exceptional marksmanship as well as other tactics helped cause the death of Ferguson and the defeat of his troops October 7, 1780.

Railroads

Starting in the mid-1800's railroads carried passengers and materials through and from Washington County. Communities along the main route from Washington Springs to Goodson (now Bristol) included Glade Spring, Emory, Meadowview, Wolf Hills (now Abingdon), Fractionsville, Wyndale and Wallace. One line went from Glade Spring to Saltville by way of Litz, Keywood and Clinchburg; another line extended from Bristol to Mendota; another headed southeast from Abingdon to West Jefferson, North Carolina by way of Watauga, Barron (now Alvarado), Delmar, Drowning Ford Station, Hellena, Damascus, Laureldale, Taylors Valley, Creek Junction, Cant Work and Green Cove. For a period of time passengers arriving on a Virginia line at Bristol, Virginia had to disembark and walk a short distance to climb aboard a Tennessee train on a Tennessee line if they wanted to continue south. Roads suitable for automobiles have replaced the lines from Damascus to Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee and from Damascus to Shady Valley, Tennessee. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a linear park that has replaced the Norfolk & Western rails and crosses from Abingdon to the North Carolina line.

Topography

A major part of Washington County is in the Great Valley region of Virginia, where Abingdon, the County Seat, was established. To the north are the North Fork of the Holston River and the Clinch mountain range; to the south and east are River Knobs, the junction of the Middle Fork and the South Fork of the Holston River, and the mountain ranges known as the Holston and the Virginia Iron. The combination of springs and elevation provided waterpower, harnessed behind small dams for milling grains and for sawing lumber from the abundant stands of trees. Water powered electrification with direct current brought light and heat to some homes early in the 20th Century. Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties join at the top of the second highest mountain (5,520 feet) in Virginia formerly known as "Meadow", because of its prominent bald field. Winter snows in that open field have caused the change of its name to White Top Mountain.

The Notch

The southern boundary line of Virginia was assigned to parallel 36&#deg;30'. In 1749 when Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson, surveyed from about where Patrick County is today, he kept moving farther north away from the assigned parallel till he discontinued his survey east of Damascus. In 1800, the northeast tip of the new state of Tennessee joined Virginia and North Carolina on Pond Mountain. Tennessee continues on that northern parallel in Washington County, until it jogs south but not to 36o30'. Three stories are told about the Notch: (1) the surveyor was inebriated (2) iron deposits in the Iron Mountains interfered with readings of the compass and (3) the strong will of Tennesseans prevailed.

Abingdon

In the County Seat, history can be found within the record books of the Washington County Courthouse, in the cemeteries dating before the Revolution, in the homes throughout the historic district, and dedicated markers. One historic house constructed in 1832 was the home of Brigadier General Francis Preston. After General Preston's death the Holston Conference of the Methodist Church acquired the property. On March 15, 1860 classes began in Martha Washington College for women, the first such recognition of Martha Custis, the wife of George Washington. The "War Between the States" interrupted classes while a hospital temporarily occupied the College. After that war classes resumed and continued until 1931. The enlarged campus of four buildings was purchased to change function once more to become Martha Washington Inn.

Russell County VA Chamber of Commerce

Town of Abingdon Virginia

Chartered in 1778, Abingdon has long been a center for culture and commerce. The first English speaking settlement to be incorporated in the watershed of the Mississippi, Abingdon was the principal distribution point for mail and supplies on the Great Road to the farthermost wilderness of the West. Abingdon was truly "the Gateway to America’s Frontier." It offers great history, charm and romance!

DAY ONE Afternoon Arrival
Stop by the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau (335 Cummings Street) to find all there is to do in Historic Abingdon. Begin with the self-guided walking tour of the twenty-block historic district (brochure available at the Visitors Center). Stops will include the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum, the Martha Washington Inn, the Barter Theatre, the Washington County Courthouse, and the Tavern. Check into your accommodations (we have superb hotels and bed & breakfasts and can assist you in finding lodging), and then enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the many fine restaurants.

DAY TWO
Start your day with a short drive to the "Decorator District" for some serious shopping. Here you will find items for every taste ranging from china to collectibles. Be sure to visit Dixie Pottery, offering over 100,000 square feet of items from around the world. Return to Abingdon for lunch at one of the fine restaurants. Stroll downtown and browse through the many fine shops offering antiques, fine clothing, and more! If you love fine Appalachian crafts, you will want to visit the Cave House Craft Shop also located on Main Street.

After lunch make the short drive to White’s Mill. White’s Mill is one of only a few remaining mills of its type. See broom makers and other crafters at work. Return to Abingdon where you can have dinner at the historic Martha Washington Inn. After dinner walk across the street to the Barter Theatre, The State Theatre of Virginia, for an evening of professional theatre. The Barter launched the careers of such notable actors as Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Patricia Neal.

DAY THREE
Today continue your exploration of the arts. Last night you saw the performing arts, today enjoy the visual arts. The tour begins at the William King Regional Arts Center, A Partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. While here enjoy exhibits in four galleries, talk with the artists-in-residence, and shop the Museum Store. Afterwards travel to the Arts Depot. Housed in an actual railroad depot are several artists-in-residence offering works in a variety of media.

After lunch consider a walk or hike on the Virginia Creeper Trail beginning in town on Pecan Street. Bike rental and shuttle services are available. Or, visit Abingdon Winery and Vineyards or Wolf Creek Winery for tours and tastings. Children will enjoy the large play ground area, swimming pools, and skate park located at the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center on the east end of town. We can offer other ideas for activities while in Abingdon, or perhaps after all you’ve done, you might just want to take in a movie at the state-of-the-art Cinemall!

If you are seeking a special experience while in the area, Abingdon offers unique services such as hot air balloon rides, carriage rides, ghost tours, and fishing guide services. Just ask for more details!

Virginia State Parks

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