Eagle Rock, Virginia

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Eagle Rock, Virginia
CDP
Eagle Rock Depot.jpg
Eagle Rock Depot
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Location of Eagle Rock in Virginia
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Eagle Rock, Virginia (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°38′26″N79°48′04″W / 37.64056°N 79.80111°W / 37.64056; -79.80111
Country United States
State Virginia
County Botetourt
Area
 • Total
0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2)
 • Land0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
971 ft (296 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
209
 • Density290/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24085
Area code 540
FIPS code 51-51023
GNIS feature ID1494212 [1]
Other namesBreckenridge, Eagle Mountain, Eaglerock,
Rat Hole
Sheets [1]
[2]

Eagle Rock is a census-designated place (CDP) in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located along the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 209. [3]

Contents

History

Eagle Rock had the last lock of the James River and Kanawha Canal. [4]

Lime production

19th century limestone kiln in Eagle Rock, Virginia. Limestone kiln.IMG 6086.jpg
19th century limestone kiln in Eagle Rock, Virginia.

This was the location of the kilns for making lime. Limestone was transported across the James River via a tram system and then burned in the kilns to make lime. Originally a river ford, known as "The Free Stone Ford", allowed mule drawn wagons to cross. In May 1884 a bridge was constructed across the river for the limestone. [5] Later, large towers were constructed and the lime sent across the river by cable. Old quarries and locally known Quarry Hill are located on either side of US 220. The Bessemer Archaeological Site, Phoenix Bridge, and Roaring Run Furnace are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [6]

Rail history

At the end of the James River and Kanawha Canal system, transportation was done by rail. Eagle Rock was the point of convergence of the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad (soon to be known as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and later CSX Transportation) and the Craig Valley Line, which ran to Surber Station and on to New Castle, Virginia.

Geography

Eagle Rock is located at 37°38′26″N79°48′04″W / 37.64056°N 79.80111°W / 37.64056; -79.80111 (37.6422510, −079.7918942).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.71 square miles.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020 209—
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Eagle Rock first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. Census. [7]

As of the census of 2020, there were 209 people residing in the CDP. The population density was 290 people per square mile (110 people/km2). There were 102 housing units. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.7% White, 0% Black or African American, 0% Native American, 0% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0% from other races, and 6.3% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Education

The CDP is served by Botetourt County Public Schools. Eagle Rock had its own high school until the late 1950s, when the Northern Botetourt high schools were all consolidated into the newly formed James River High School in neighboring Springwood. Public school students residing in Eagle Rock attend Eagle Rock Elementary School, Central Academy Middle School, and James River High School.

Notable people

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Botetourt County, Virginia</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buchanan Historic District</span> Historic district in Virginia, United States

Buchanan Historic District is a national historic district located at Buchanan, Botetourt County, Virginia. It encompasses 277 contributing buildings, 5 contributing sites, and 4 contributing structures in Buchanan and Pattonsburg on both sides of the James River. They include commercial, transportation-related, domestic, religious, and industrial resources associated with the community's development from the late-18th century through the late-20th century. Notable buildings include the Pattonsburg Mill (1838), Buchanan Presbyterian Church (1845), Trinity Episcopal Church (1842), Hotel Botetourt (1851), Sorrell House (1850), James Evans Mason Lodge (1884), Virginia Can Company complex (1903), "Oak Hill" (1840), Town Hall Municipal Building, Bank of Buchanan, Ransone's Drugstore, Buchanan Theatre (1919), and Buchanan High School (1928). The contributing sites include the James River & Kanawha Canal project site, Johnston-Boyd Cemetery (1835–1906), and Mountain View Cemetery (1854). The contributing structures include the Stone Arch Tunnel (1870s). Also located in the district is the separately listed Wilson Warehouse.

George William Newman Fulton (1834–1894) was a noted potter who worked in Alleghany County, Virginia and in Fincastle, Virginia.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Eagle Rock, Virginia. Retrieved on 2008-06-19.
  2. ↑ "ZIP Code Lookup" . Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Eagle Rock CDP, Virginia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. ↑ Sutcliffe, Andrea (2010). Touring the Shenandoah Valley backroads (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, N.C.: John F. Blair Publishers. p. 257. ISBN   9780895873934 . Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  5. ↑ Information bulletin, "Yesteryear Lime Kiln Operations at Eagle Rock, Va". Eagle Rock Improvement Association. No date given. Page 2.
  6. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  7. ↑ "2020 Geography Changes". United States Census Bureau.
  8. ↑ United States Congress. "William Hanes Ayres (id: A000229)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress .. Retrieved on 2008-06-20.

Bibliography

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