Highland County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,232, making it the state's least populous county.[1] Its county seat is Monterey.[2] Known as "Virginia's Switzerland" or "Virginia's Little Switzerland", Highland County is the least populous jurisdiction in Virginia, including counties and independent cities. Highland lays claim to being one of the least populous counties and one of the highest average elevations east of the Mississippi River.
Settlement of this portion of the Colony of Virginia by Europeans began around 1745. Located west of the Tidewater and Piedmont regions in Virginia and also west of the Shenandoah Valley, this area is beyond (known in old Virginia as the "Transmountaine") the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rather than cross such a formidable physical barrier, most early settlers came southerly up the Valley across the Potomac River from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Many followed the Great Wagon Road, also known as the Valley Pike (U.S. Route 11 in modern times). As German immigrants began to push over the mountains to the northern area of the present county, those of Scots-Irish descent settled in the southern part.
Highland County was formed in 1847 from Bath County and Pendleton County after a bill was passed by the Virginia General Assembly on March 19 of that year.[4] The desire for the new county's formation arose due to multiple reasons, including the distances from the areas in present-day Highland to the county seats of Bath and Pendleton and the advantageous position of the new turnpike.[5] Highland was named for its lofty elevation.[6]
Control of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike became crucial during the American Civil War (1861–1865). By all accounts, documented in many letters home from young troops, a miserable winter in 1861 was spent by Union and Confederate troops holding opposing high elevation positions along the road. The Battle of McDowell, the first Confederate victory of Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign, took place at McDowell on May 8, 1862.[3]
In the 20th century, the Turnpike was re-designated as U.S. Route 250. In the 21st century, it remains Highland County's major east–west roadway, and crossing into West Virginia, becomes a National Scenic Byway.[3]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Highland County has a total area of 415.9 square miles (1,077.2km2), of which 415.2 square miles (1,075.4km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8km2) (0.2%) is water.[7]
A typical view of valleys and mountain ridges near Hightown
The average elevation of Highland County is 2,832 feet (863m), which is the 16th highest average elevation among counties in the Eastern United States.[12] The highest elevation in the county is 4,545 feet (1,385m) in the Allegheny Mountains and the lowest elevation is 1,625 feet (495m) near the Cowpasture River southwest of Patna.[10][13] The western regions of the county are generally higher in elevation than are the eastern and especially southeastern regions.[14] As the county lies within the Ridge-and-Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains, it features numerous valleys and mountain ridges that are generally oriented in a "northeast to southwest" direction.[13] The valleys are from west to east the Alleghany Valley, the Bluegrass Valley, the Monterey Valley, the Bullpasture Valley, and the Cowpasture Valley.[9][15] The majority of the county and all the southern portions of the county form part of the James River watershed, while northern sections drain into the Potomac River. West of Monterey, the divide is roughly centered along the path of U.S. Route 250; however, in eastern Highland County, the James watershed extends further northward.[13][16]
Map of Highland County showing magisterial districts
The westernmost valley, the Alleghany Valley, is narrow and situated between Allegheny Mountain to the west and Lantz Mountain to the east. It is drained by Back Creek, a tributary of the Jackson River, in the southern section of the county and is drained by Straight Fork to the north. The Laurel Fork runs to the west of Alleghany Valley, joining the Straight Fork in Pendleton County, West Virginia to the north to form the North Fork South Branch Potomac River. The Bluegrass Valley contains the headwaters of the Jackson River south of U.S. 250 and the South Branch Potomac River to the north. The northern section of the valley, in the area of the village of Blue Grass, is considerably wider than the southern section of the valley. The Jackson River flows out of Bluegrass Valley to the east through Vanderpool Gap approximately 4 miles (6.4km) south of Hightown. A short distance south, the Bluegrass Valley is drained by the Back Creek. Monterey Valley is located roughly in the center of the county, and its drainage is separated at Monterey. To the north of Monterey, the valley is drained by the Strait Creek and South Branch Potomac River; to the south, the valley is drained by the Jackson River. The Bullpasture Valley is drained throughout the county to the south by the Bullpasture River. The Cowpasture Valley, the easternmost valley in the county, is mostly drained to the south by the Cowpasture River, although a small portion to the north is drained by the South Fork South Branch Potomac River.[8][10][17]
Highland County contains parts of the George Washington National Forest concentrated mainly along the county's western and eastern borders.[18] The Highland Wildlife Management Area, held by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, is a 14,283-acre (57.80km2)wildlife preserve located in three distinct locations within the county. These locations include the Jack Mountain tract southwest of McDowell, the Bullpasture Mountain tract south of McDowell in the southeastern corner of the county, and the Little Doe Hill tract west of McDowell.[19][20] The national forest and Highland Wildlife Management Area combined account for 71,455 acres (289.17km2) of Highland County's land, or approximately 28% of the county's total land area.[21]
Source: NOAA (normals, 1971–2000);[23] The Weather Channel[24]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Highland County is in the marine west coast climate zone, with a Köppen Climate Classification of Cfb.[25] As such, Highland experiences warm summers with an average temperature less than 72°F (22°C) during all months. In addition, the region features consistent rainfall year-round and lacks a dry season.[26] Monterey, the county seat, is representative of the average climate of Highland, as it is situated at roughly the mean elevation for the county.[27] Locations in the county's higher elevations experience cooler temperatures whereas locations in lower elevations experience warmer and milder temperatures.[27] The lowest temperature on record in Monterey occurred in January 1985 at −26°F (−32.2°C) and the highest recorded temperature occurred in July 1952 at 95°F (35°C).[24] The winter season is long in Highland, though less severely cold than other locations.[28] The average annual temperature for the county is 47.6°F (8.7°C).[29] From 1948 to 1990, the average annual precipitation was 40.96 inches or 1,040.4 millimetres and the average annual snowfall was 34.40 inches or 0.87 metres.[30]
Tornadoes in Highland County are very rare, with only one tornado on record in the county with the National Weather Service.[31][32] This tornado occurred on April 28, 1959, at approximately 3:00 PM near Mustoe.[33][34] The tornado's classification on the Fujita scale is reported by the National Weather Service in its database to be unknown,[33] though another document records it as an F1.[31] The exact path of the tornado is uncertain, however, no damage or injuries were reported.[31] Another possible, but unconfirmed, tornado touchdown may have occurred on April 4, 1974, during the 1974 Super Outbreak. A barn and chicken house were damaged during this storm and a building was lifted off its foundation in the Big Valley area.[32]
Since 1955, Highland County has experienced twenty instances of severe hail, which is defined by the National Weather Service as hailstones having a diameter of at least 1 inch (2.5cm). If the old definition of at least 3⁄4 inch (1.9cm) diameter hailstones is considered, the county has experienced twenty-two instances of severe hail during the same period.[35]
Highland County has significant wind resources, attaining an average annual wind power class of 5 in some regions.[13][36] Class 5 wind power is considered excellent for generating electricity via wind power, with average annual wind speeds between 16.8 and 17.9 miles per hour (27.0 and 28.8km/h).[37] Between 1955 and 2012, there have been twenty-one instances of damaging wind in the county on record with the National Weather Service. Of the nine instances which have estimated wind speeds, the average maximum gust speed was 52.8 miles per hour (85.0km/h).[38]
Economy
Cattle near Blue Grass
In October 2013, Highland County's labor force was composed of 1,142 people and had an unemployment rate of 5.3%.[39] Historically, agriculture has played a significant role in the economy of Highland County. Cattle grazing is especially suited for the area as the mountainous terrain leaves only a small fraction of the total land suitable for cultivation.[40] Agricultural purposes use approximately 36% of the county's land.[41] In 2012, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting accounted for 7.8% of the jobs in the county.[42] According to 2007 census data, there were 239 farms, 76,764 acres (310.65km2) of farmland, and 8,581 acres (34.73km2) of harvested cropland in the county. Wool production is a significant industry in the county,[42] which was ranked fifth in Virginia in 2010 for the largest number of lamb and sheep with approximately 4,500 head. Highland County in 2010 had approximately 8,000 head of cattle, 53rd in the state, and produced 15,700 tons of hay in 2009, also ranked 53rd in the state.[43] The county has 211,300 acres (855km2) of timberland, of which the majority is on private lands.[44] Between 1986 and 2001, the average annual average harvest value of timber in the county was $1,248,889, ranked 54th in the state.[45]
The largest employment sector in the county in 2012 was government, accounting for 34.1% of jobs. Among government jobs, local government jobs represented the majority, with 25.7% of jobs in all sectors. The finance and insurance sector accounted for 9.6% of all jobs, and health care and social assistance accounted for 8.2%. Construction held 7.2% of jobs, followed by retail trade with 6.8%. The remainder of jobs were distributed among various other sectors.[42] The largest employers were Allen Lowry Logging and Highland County Public Schools.[46]
Highland County is located in the Appalachian region as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).[47] The county as of 2014[update] is considered to have a "transitional" economy by the ARC, meaning it ranks "between the worst 25 percent and the best 25 percent" of counties and it is in a transitional period between weak and strong economies.[48]
U.S. 250 enters Highland County from the west on the Virginia-West Virginia border from Pocahontas County, West Virginia at an elevation of approximately 4,280 feet (1,300m). The road traverses 32.45 miles (52.22km) within the county.[52] Upon entering the county, U.S. 250 descends into the Back Creek valley, whereafter it crosses the long ridge of Lantz mountain. The route then reaches the village of Hightown where it intersects Virginia State Route 640.[10][53] Hightown marks the division between the watersheds of the James and Potomac Rivers, for the headwaters of the Jackson River, a tributary of the James, and the South Branch Potomac River are located near the village.[54] After leaving Hightown, U.S. 250 ascends Monterey Mountain before descending to the county's seat of Monterey. In Monterey, U.S. 250, the county's major east–west route, intersects the county's major north–south route, U.S. 220. Continuing eastward, U.S. 250 follows the flow of Crab Run through mountainous terrain towards McDowell. Here, the route crosses the Bullpasture River and winds its way towards the Cowpasture River, after which it enters the village of Head Waters. From Head Waters, U.S. 250 ascends in elevation on a winding and mountainous path to enter Augusta County, Virginia over Shenandoah Mountain.[10][53] Continuing on U.S. 250 east provides access to Interstate 64 and Interstate 81 near Staunton.[50]
U.S. Route 220
U.S. 220 is Highland County's major north–south route, entering Highland County from the north from Pendleton County, West Virginia. The road traverses 23.59 miles (37.96km) within the county.[52] Approximately 3⁄4 mile (1.2km) after entering the county, U.S. 220 crosses the South Branch Potomac River at Forks of Waters. Leaving Forks of Waters, U.S. 220 continues in a southwesterly direction on a roughly straight and level route passing the village of Possum Trot to the town of Monterey. Here, the route intersects U.S. Route 250.[10][55] South of Monterey, U.S. 220 passes by Trimble Knob, a conical shaped hill that was an active volcano or diatreme 35 million years ago.[56] Continuing south, U.S. 220 follows creek and river valleys in between mountain ridges and passes through the villages of Vanderpool and Mustoe. Approximately 15 miles (24km) south of Monterey, U.S. 220 enters Bath County, Virginia near the village of Bolar.[10][55] Following U.S. 220 south through Bath County into Alleghany County, Virginia leads to a connection with Interstate 64 near Covington, Virginia.[50]
State Route 84 enters Highland County from Pocahontas County, West Virginia in the southwestern part of Highland. The route travels 14.94 miles (24.04km) in Highland through the villages of Mill Gap and Meadowdale before reaching U.S. 220 at Vanderpool.[10][52][57]
Other transportation
Highland County has no public airfields; however, there is a private airfield located within the county south of Monterey.[49] Commercial air transportation is available at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in neighboring Augusta County, Virginia.[58] Highland County also lacks any rail lines; the nearest railroad is a CSX Transportation line located in Augusta County, which also provides passenger rail service via Amtrak in Staunton.[49] Historically, no permanent rail lines ever existed within the county's borders, though several were proposed. In the 1870s, there were prospects of a railroad named the Washington, Cincinnati, and St. Louis Railroad entering the county. This line was proposed as a narrow gauge railroad to be built from Harrisonburg, Virginia to Monterey and then westward into West Virginia, eventually reaching western markets. The railroad, which has been described as being "so poorly conceived that its failure was inevitable", was never built.[59] Another potential railroad to enter Highland County was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on February 29, 1892, as the Augusta, Highland, and Alleghany Railroad. This railroad was to connect with either the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway or Valley Railroad in Augusta County and build a line towards Monterey.[60][61] The Augusta, Highland, and Alleghany Railroad appears to have never been organized or built, as documents from 1911 and 1922 state that no railroad existed in the county.[62][63] The prospects of a railroad reaching Highland were limited due to the mountainous terrain and a general lack of sufficient traffic to make such an investment economically viable.[63]
Community services
Education
Currently, Public education in Highland County for grades K-12 is provided by Highland County Public Schools. The district has one elementary school, Highland Elementary School, serving grades kindergarten through 5th, and one high school, Highland High School, serving grades 6th though 12th. The high school includes a middle school division consisting of grades 6th through 8th that is in a separate location in the building from the core high school. Both the elementary and high schools are housed in one building located southeast of Monterey.[64][65][66][67] The district is the smallest school district in Virginia in terms of the student body, with a total student count just exceeding 200.[68][69]
The first record of educational services in the area of Highland County is from 1755 with the arrival of a teacher by the name of William Steuart. It was not until 1820 that education became publicly supported, having been left to private hands previously. Though the system established in 1820 was of a rudimentary quality, books sufficient for teaching the three Rs were provided by public funds. Additional subjects were studied, such as geography and grammar, as resources were available.[70] The first tax levied in support of the public schools was passed in 1847[71] and the county was divided into twelve school districts in 1850.[70] Numerous small schools were distributed throughout the county, and by 1893, there was a total of 47 schools.[72] By the early 1900s, the county was divided into three school districts: Blue Grass, Monterey, and Stonewall. In 1922, the county's school districts were consolidated into one district and there were "52 one- and two-room grammar schools" and "three accredited four-year high schools". By 1929, the total number of schools decreased to 32 as the school district became more consolidated. In 1957, all high schools in the county were consolidated and all high school students were located at the Monterey High School. High school students were again transferred in 1963 to the current high school building, and by 1985, all elementary students were transferred to Monterey Elementary School, housed in the building previously used as the Monterey High School. In 1997, the elementary school was transferred to the complex of the high school, forming the present day status of the school district.[73]
Highland County does not have a hospital, the closest being in neighboring Augusta and Bath Counties, such as Augusta Health.[74] The Highland Medical Center, Inc. is located in Monterey and is the only general patient care medical facility in Highland County. The center opened in 1996 and became a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2003.[74][75] Highland County is one of four counties in Virginia and one of only 50 counties in states east of the Mississippi River (excluding Minnesota) that is designated as a frontier county.[76] This designation is applied because of Highland's remote characteristics with a low population density and limited access to healthcare and other services.[75][77]
Emergency services
There are three volunteer fire departments servicing Highland County. The southern portions of the county are serviced by the Bolar Volunteer Fire Department headquartered in the village of Bolar in neighboring Bath County, Virginia. The McDowell Volunteer Fire Department, organized in 1978, serves the areas of McDowell, Doe Hill, and Head Waters.[74][78][79] The areas of Monterey and Blue Grass are served by the Highland County Volunteer Fire Department. Rescue squad services for the county are provided by the Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad which has locations in Monterey and McDowell.[74][78]
The Highland County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services to the entire county and is located in Monterey.[74] In 2012, the department had 7 sworn deputies and employed 5 civilians.[80]
Highland County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the census[87] of 2010, there were 2,321 people, making it the least populous county in Virginia. The county was the fifth least populous county east of the Mississippi River and the 115th least populous county in the entire United States.[88] There were 1,081 households and 721 families residing in the county. The population density was 5.59 peopleper square mile (2.16 people/km2). There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 4.42 unitsper square mile (1.71 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. 0.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[87] The ancestry of the population was 30.5% German, 16.4% American, 14.5% Scotch-Irish, 11.6% Irish, 11.3% English, and 4.8% French. The remainder of the population was split among twelve other different countries of mostly European origin, all of which accounted for less than 100 people each.[89]
There were 1,081 households, out of which 17.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.60.[87]
In the county, the population was spread out, with 14.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 16.6% from 25 to 44, 38.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.[87]
The median income for a household in the county was $63,636, and the median income for a family was $76,566. Males had a median income of $53,704 versus $41,720 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,326. About 7.8% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[87]
The religious makeup of Highland County is composed mainly of ProtestantChristian denominations. According to a 2010 study, 60.8% of the population claimed adherence to a religious group. The largest denomination in 2010 was the United Methodist Church with 709 members, or 30.5% of the population, followed by the Presbyterians and non-denominational Christians, each with 219 members or 9.4% of the population. 132 people, or 5.7% of the population were members of the Southern Baptist Convention. The remaining 5.5% of the population adhering to a religious group was composed of the Church of the Brethren, the Church of God of Prophecy, the Episcopal Church, and the Baháʼí Faith, each having less than one hundred members.[90] The United Methodist Church held 50.2% of those claiming adherence to a particular religious organization, the ninth highest such rate for the United Methodist Church among all counties in the United States.[91]
Government and politics
The local government of Highland County consists of a three-member Board of Supervisors who are elected at-large to serve four-year terms.[29] Three magisterial districts divide the county, which are, from west to east, Blue Grass, Monterey, and Stonewall.[92][93] The Board of Supervisors oversees all "legislative and administrative affairs of the county." A chief administrative officer of the county is selected from the three members of the Board. The Board of Supervisors also appoints a county administrator who handles the implementation of county policies and ordinances. In addition to the Board of Supervisors, other elected members of the county government include the "County Treasurer, the Commissioner of Revenue, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Commonwealth Attorney, and the County Sheriff." Monterey, the county seat, is an incorporated town and thus has its own government officials consisting of a town council and a mayor.[92]
Highland County levies a 1% sales tax, a 1.5% personal property tax, a 1% machinery and tools tax, and a .37% real estate tax.[64][94] 46% of the county's total revenue in 2010 was derived from local taxes, of which 76% was accounted for in property tax levies. The remaining 54% of the county's revenue was from state and federal sources.[92]
The county is a dry county, meaning the "on-premises sale of liquor by the drink" is prohibited. Highland is the northernmost of ten dry counties in Virginia.[103]
Highland County is known by the nickname "Virginia's Switzerland" or "Virginia's Little Switzerland",[107][108] in reference to the steep mountains and valleys.[109][110] The mountains of Highland have historically attracted many tourists to the region, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and other prominent inventors and businessmen who visited the area in 1918.[111]
The Highland County Museum and Heritage Center is located at McDowell and is operated by the Highland Historic Society.[112] Exhibits feature the history of Highland County and the history of the Battle of McDowell during the American Civil War.[113] According to the National Park Service, the battlefield is the best preserved battlefield of all Shenandoah Valley battlefields.[114]
The Highland County Maple Festival has been held annually in March since 1959 to promote the county's maple syrup industry.[115] The festival attracts over 60,000 people annually to the county during the event and has been designated a Local Legacy by the Library of Congress.[115][116] Highland also hosts a seasonal farmers' market,[117] and the Allegheny Mountain School, an organization to help secure community food systems.[118]
Additionally, other outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking, hunting, caving, and cycling are enjoyed in the county.[13][19][119] Every August the Mountain Mama Road Bike Challenge brings cyclists from all over the country to challenge themselves on the steep roads of Highland County.[120] The Highland County fair is the longest continuously running fair in Virginia.[121]
McDowell County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,111. Its county seat is Welch. McDowell County is the southernmost county in the state. It was created in 1858 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor James McDowell. It became a part of West Virginia in 1863, when several Union-affiliated counties seceded from the state of Virginia during the American Civil War. McDowell County is located in the Cumberland Mountains, part of the Appalachia region.
Jefferson County is located in the Shenandoah Valley in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. It is the easternmost county of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,701. Its county seat is Charles Town. The county was founded in 1801, and today is part of the Washington metropolitan area.
Hardy County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,299. Its county seat is Moorefield. The county was created from Hampshire County in 1786 and named for Samuel Hardy, a distinguished Virginian.
Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,757. Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg.
Bath County is a United States county on the central western border of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the West Virginia state line. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,209, the second-least populous county in Virginia. Bath's county seat is Warm Springs.
Stephens City is an incorporated town in the southern part of Frederick County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 2,016 at the time of the 2020 census, and an estimated population of 2,096 in 2022. Founded by Peter Stephens in the 1730s, the colonial town was chartered and named for Lewis Stephens in October 1758. It was originally settled by German Protestants from Heidelberg.
Monterey is a town in Highland County, Virginia, United States. The population was 147 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Highland County.
Elkton is an incorporated town in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. It is included in the Harrisonburg Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,762 at the 2010 census. Elkton was named for the Elk Run stream.
New Market is a town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States. Founded as a small crossroads trading town in the Shenandoah Valley, it has a population of 2,146 as of the most recent 2010 U.S. census. The north–south U.S. 11 and the east–west U.S. 211 pass near it and cross Massanutten Mountain at the town's titular gap.
Woodstock is a town and the county seat of Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States. It has a population of 5,212 according to the 2017 census. Woodstock comprises 3.2 square miles of incorporated area of the town, and is located along the "Seven Bends" of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. While some tourism references list Woodstock as the fourth oldest town in Virginia, the area was sparsely settled and perhaps platted in 1752 or shortly thereafter, but the town was actually established by charter in 1761. While there are a number of Virginia towns closer to the eastern seaboard that claim earlier founding dates, Woodstock was one of the first towns west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
U.S. Route 250 is a route of the United States Numbered Highway System, and is a spur of U.S. Route 50. It currently runs for 514 miles (827 km) from Richmond, Virginia to Sandusky, Ohio. It passes through the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. It goes through the cities of Richmond, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Waynesboro, Virginia; and Wheeling, West Virginia. West of Pruntytown, West Virginia, US 250 intersects and forms a short overlap with its parent US 50.
The Battle of Camp Allegheny, also known as the Battle of Allegheny Mountain, took place on December 13, 1861, in Pocahontas County, Virginia, about 3 miles from the mountainous border of Highland County, Virginia, as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War. The battle was a small brigade-level conflict, and while the Confederates technically won with a Union withdrawal, it was considered militarily indecisive. However, it had critical implications for the future border of Virginia and West Virginia, ensuring Highland County remained in Confederate hands and would not be involved in the formation of the future state of West Virginia.
Hightown is an unincorporated community at the crossroads of U.S. Route 250 and Secondary State Route 640 in Highland County, Virginia, United States. Hightown is located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Monterey, Virginia. The community lies on the division of the James River and Potomac River watersheds, with the main source of the South Branch Potomac River to the north of Hightown along State Route 640 and the source of the Jackson River, a tributary of the James, south of U.S. Route 250 west of Hightown. The roof of a barn owned by Jacob Hevener located near Hightown is said to have divided the two watersheds, with rain falling on one side of the roof flowing to the James and on the other to the Potomac. The community was originally known as Heveners Store.
New Hampden is an unincorporated community in Highland County, Virginia, United States. New Hampden is located in the Blue Grass Valley on VA State Route 640 approximately 5.7 miles (9.2 km) north of Monterey, Virginia. The community is situated on the banks of the South Branch Potomac River west of the northern end of Monterey Mountain and southwest of the community of Blue Grass, Virginia and the Devils Backbone rock outcrop. The community appeared around 1858 and is characterized as having a "regular appearance" in contrast to more haphazardly developed villages. West of New Hampden is the site of a flint quarry used by Native Americans to procure sources of flint for the production of arrowheads. Some accounts state that the area was of such importance that it was considered to be neutral ground by the native tribes.
In the U.S. state of Virginia, U.S. Route 220 (US 220) is a major north-south state highway that extends from the North Carolina state line through Roanoke to the West Virginia state line. South of Roanoke, US 220 is a four-lane highway within the proposed Interstate 73 (I-73) corridor. US 220 narrows to two lanes north of Roanoke, connecting to I-64 near Clifton Forge and then paralleling the Appalachian Mountains north-northeasterly in the direction of Cumberland, Maryland.
State Route 84 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as Mill Gap Road, the state highway runs 14.94 miles (24.04 km) from the West Virginia state line near Mill Gap, where the highway continues west as West Virginia Route 84, east to U.S. Route 220 at Vanderpool.
U.S. Route 250 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Sandusky, Ohio to Richmond, Virginia. In Virginia, the highway runs 166.74 miles (268.34 km) from the West Virginia state line near Hightown east to its eastern terminus at US 360 in Richmond. US 250 is the main east–west highway of Highland County, which is known as Virginia's Little Switzerland; the highway follows the path of the 19th century Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike. From Staunton east to Richmond, the highway serves as the local complement to Interstate 64 (I-64), roughly following the 18th century Three Notch'd Road through Waynesboro and Charlottesville on its way through the Shenandoah Valley, its crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap, and the Piedmont. In the Richmond metropolitan area, US 250 is known as Broad Street, a major thoroughfare through the city's West End and downtown areas.
McDowell is an unincorporated community in Highland County, Virginia, United States. McDowell is 7.2 miles (11.6 km) southeast of Monterey, Virginia on U.S. Route 250. It is in the Bullpasture Valley near the mouth of Crab Run on the Bullpasture River. The community was named after James McDowell, governor of Virginia from 1843 to 1846. McDowell is the location of the May 8, 1862 Battle of McDowell during the American Civil War. The community has a post office with ZIP code 24458 that was established in 1828.
The Laurel Fork is a 15.7-mile-long (25.3 km) stream in Virginia and West Virginia, United States. The stream flows north from Highland County, Virginia, where its source and the majority of its length is located, to its mouth in Pendleton County, West Virginia. Laurel Fork is a tributary to the North Fork South Branch Potomac River, making it a part of the Potomac River watershed. The area surrounding Laurel Fork is home to several plant and animal species found nowhere else in Virginia, and is a prime example of a northern boreal forest in the state.
↑ "County of Highland - Elevation (Map)"(PDF). highlandcova.org. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. 2010. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
↑ "Highland County Climate (1948-1990)". Regional Data Center for Virginia's Central Shenandoah Valley. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
↑ Anita K. Rose (2007). "Virginia's Forests"(PDF). United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. p.73. Archived from the original(PDF) on August 13, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
↑ "Crime in Virginia"(PDF). Virginia Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Department of State Police. 2012. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 12, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
↑ "Highland County Local Taxes". Regional Data Center for Virginia's Central Shenandoah Valley. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
↑ "Retail Privatization Options"(PDF). Commonwealth of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control. 2011. p.34. Archived from the original(PDF) on February 3, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
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