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Buchanan County

www.buchanancountyinfo.org

From its scenic foliage in the spring and fall to its snow-covered hills and valleys in the winter and lush greenery in the summer, Buchanan County is evidence of Mother Nature’s handiwork. 

It is a county rich in history and tradition – from the pioneer spirit of its earliest settlers which has been handed down through the years to its rich tradition of timbering and mining.

Visitors to the county will find a pleasant place to stay as they visit for a while or drop in overnight while traveling through the area.

Named in honor of former United States President James Buchanan, the county was formed from the counties of Tazewell and Russell in 1858.  Exploration of the county dates from about 1750, but few settlers came in until after the Revolutionary War.  Buchanan County was sparsely settled until the 1930s when the development of coal mines brought many newcomers.

TOWNS:

  • Grundy
  • Vansant

Information source: Buchanan County brochure and www.buchanancountyinfo.org

 

City of Norton

www.nortonva.gov

Norton was established as a town in 1894, and later as a City in 1954.

Norton is a city in Wise County in the Heart of Appalachia region of Virginia. It has numerous parks, including the Flag Park Recreation Area. From the City of Norton, Flag Rock can be seen as a rock outcrop capped with an American Flag, thus the name "Flag Rock". The recreation site sits over 1,000 feet above the City's elevation of 2,350 ft.

Information source: www.nortonva.gov and www.virginia.org

 

Dickenson County

www.dickensonchamber.net | www.dickensoncountyvirginia.org

Dickenson County was formed in 1880 from Russell, Wise and Buchanan Counties.  The district was named for William J. Dickenson, a delegate to the General Assembly, who played a major role in establishing the new county.  In 1880, Delegate Dickenson sponsored the bill in the House of Delegates to establish Dickenson County as the One hundredth County in Virginia.  Dickenson County has since become known as “Virginia’s Baby.”

The rough mountainous terrain has greatly influenced the development of the Dickenson County area. Early settlers located along stream beds where the best farm land was to be found. The streams also served as a much needed water supply to the pioneers.  The first settlements in Dickenson County were Sandlick, Haysi, Holly Creek (Clintwood), and Nora. All of these communities were developed along the streams in the area.

Towns:

Information source: www.dickensoncountyvirginia.org

 

Lee County

www.leecova.org

Lee County was formed in 1792 from Russell County and is named in honor of General Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, a Revolutionary War soldier and the Governor of Virginia at the time the county was formed.

Lee County is located in the far southwestern portion of the Heart of Appalachia region of Virginia. It borders Kentucky on the north and Tennessee on the south. The county has abundant natural resources.

The Jefferson National Forest is in Lee County with opportunities for hiking, hunting, camping. The 200-acre Wilderness RoadState Park is here, too, with its Martin Station, an outdoor living history museum depicting life on Virginia’s 1775 frontier. Daniel Boone explored Cumberland GapNational Historical Park, a popular place to visit and hike.

Towns:

Information source: www.leecova.org and www.virginia.org

 

Russell County

www.russellcountyva.org or http://russellcountyva.us

Nestled in the Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia, Russell County is rich with natural beauty, history and rapidly growing economy.  Founded on January 2, 1786, Russell County was formed from a section of Washington County, Virginia.  L. P. Summers, a Washington County historian later wrote, “Washington County lost a great extent of country and many valuable citizens when Russell County was formed.”  Lee, Tazewell, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson and Scott Counties were formed from parts of Russell County.  Our citizens take great pride in the history of the community and are passionate about its future.  The county was named for Colonel William Russell who participated in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, and has been home to such public servants as Daniel Boone, Governor H. C. Stuart, and State Senator M. M. Long and State Senator Phillip Puckett.  Russell County is rapidly growing economically, with a very promising future for continued growth.

Towns:

Information source: www.russellcountyva.org

 

Scott County

www.explorescottcountyva.com

Scott County sits within the Appalachian Valley in the Heart of Appalachia region of Virginia. It is located on the Tennessee state line.

The county is surrounded by an abundance of scenic natural beauty. Five mountain ridges cut across the county. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, such as hiking and picnicking in JeffersonNational Forest as well as NaturalTunnel State Park, one of the regions leading attractions. A chair lift gives visitors a unique aerial opportunity to view the splendor of the tunnel and surrounding scenery.

Scott County was created out of parts of Washington, Lee and Russell Counties on November 24, 1814 and named after General Winfield Scott.

Towns:

Information source: www.explorescottcountyva.com and www.virginia.org

 

Tazewell County

www.visittazewellcounty.org

TazewellCounty nurtures a special position in the majestic Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia. The Nature Conservancy declared the Clinch River Basin to be one of only twenty “Last Great Places” in the world (1990), and this basin, supporting “…the world’s largest collection of rare and endangered fresh water species,” begins in Tazewell County. The county’s 500+ square miles of hillsides and valleys, streams and rivers, meadows and forests form a largely agricultural land. Home to about 40,000 people, its towns bring you back to the feeling of safer, more relaxed times. It’s a wonderful place to live, raise a family or to retire, and a great place to visit!

If you’re looking for the joys of the great outdoors, your search is rewarded in Tazewell County. Plentiful fish leap from native trout streams, the Clinch River, and local lakes; hunting is bountiful. You’ll find the ease—or challenge—the county has to offer in its versatile hiking and biking opportunities on country roads and through vast expanses of national forests.

America’s roots call to those who live and visit in Tazewell County. A reconstructed pioneer settlement and museum houses intriguing models and illustrations of the pioneers in the area, and astounding fossils prove an even earlier history of Native American activity and prehistoric development. For industrial history, tour the world’s oldest exhibition coal mine and then visit the Coal Miners’ Memorial listing those whose lives were sacrificed in their efforts to power a nation.

Agricultural history remains alive at local farms where you’ll learn about traditional farming with rare breed horses and sheep, and newer endeavors such as raising ostriches. Time your visit to enjoy one of Tazewell County’s many festivals and fairs that feature traditional Appalachian music and crafts.

Towns:

Information source: www.visittazewellcounty.org

Wise County

www.wisecountychamber.org or www.wisecounty.org

Wise County, located in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, is a perfect place to exercise your passion for mountains, music and more.  The county was chartered on February 16, 1856 and named after then governor Henry A. Wise.  Early exploration of the region began with Dr. Thomas Walker, Christopher Gist and Daniel Boone, as well as many now unknown “long hunters”, trappers and land speculators.  Each made their mark along trails long used by the Cherokee, Shawnee and other Indian tribes.  A visit to Wise County offers a taste of that first “Old West” in a setting of natural beauty and mountain splendor. 

Towns:

Information source: Wise County Brochure and www.wisecountychamber.org

 

The Heart of Appalachia region has several Virginia Century Farms.  For more information, please visit http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/century/