Cumberland County Virginia Real Estate 

Cumberland County Virginia History

Cumberland County was formed from Goochland County by an act of the Virginia Assembly in 1749 and named for the Duke of Cumberland, second son of King George II.

On Apri 22, 1776, Cumberland led the Colonies in calling for independence from Britain.

This is recorded as the first positive call for American Independence issued by a governmental body.

One of the last battles of the Civil War was fought at historic "High Bridge," which spans the Appomattox River from Cumberland to Prince Edward County.

This historic railroad bridge was built in 1854 with brick piers supporting a wooden superstructure, which was partially burned during the Civil War.

These now stand overshadowed by their 1914 steel counterpart in use today for freight trains.

General Robert E. Lee received Grant's first communication concerning the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia while camping at Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Both of the sites are included in the driving tour of the Route of Lee's Retreat, which follows the final campaign of the Civil War from Petersburg to Appomattox.

Cumberland County is known as Virginia’s Heartland and is rich in history that tells a story of courage and perserverance.

Located in the Heart of Virginia, the Farmville Area includes the Town of Farmville, the County of Cumberland, and the County of Prince Edward.

Prince Edward County dates to 1754, Cumberland County to 1749, and the Town of Farmville to 1798.

 Farmville soon became the center of trade, education, law, and finance for the surrounding seven counties, a position it maintains today, as the largest municipality between Richmond and Lynchburg.

It is home to many successful businesses, industries, and cultural and educational organizations.

Hampden-Sydney College, a selective private four-year college, was founded in 1776; Longwood University, chartered in 1839 as Farmville Female Seminary, was the first state teacher training college in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Patrick Henry, five-time Governor of Virginia, served as Prince Edward’s representative in the Virginia General Assembly.

As the county’s representative, he participated with John Randolph in debates over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

The first call for independence came from Cumberland County – when the certainty of the approaching conflict came, Cumberland led the Colonies in calling for a completely independent American nation.

On April 22, 1776, from the balcony of Effingham Tavern, Carter H. Harrison read the Committee’s instructions to the county delegates to the State convention: “We therefore, your constituents, instruct you positively to declare for an Independency, that you solemnly abjure any allegiance to His Britannic Majesty and bid him a good night forever…

” The Virginia Convention decided to follow Cumberland’s lead, and this resulted in the Virginian Resolutions, which were presented to the Continental Congress and embodied in the Declaration of Independence.

The Civil War left its mark on Farmville, with its last major battle at nearby Sayler’s Creek.

 Lee retreated directly through the town, and the Confederates crossed and then attempted to burn the railroad's impressive High Bridge, a 120-foot-high, nearly half-mile-long span across the Appomattox River.

The bridge and other sites along Lee’s Retreat are part of the state’s Civil War Trails.

Location of Cumberland County Virginia

Located in the central Piedmont area of Virginia, Cumberland County is situated near a number of the state's largest metropolitan areas. It's central location affords easy accessibility to markets.

Richmond......................................40 miles

Charlottesville................................55 miles

Lynchburg.....................................58 miles

Hampton Roads............................130 miles

Washington.................................145 miles

Cumberland County Virginia Communities

Cartersville

The village of Cartersville is located in northern Cumberland County on the James River. Originally known as Carter's Ferry, it was established in 1790 by the General Assembly.

Twenty-seven acres of land formerly owned by John Woodson was laid off in one-half acre lots with the main street call High Street.

The oldest home in the village is probably the Deanery which was owned by the Deane family.

Designated as a Historic District on the State Register of Historic Places, Cartersville features extraordinary examples of 18th, 19th, and 20th century architecture.

Clinton

Clinton is located on Route 60 about seven miles east of Cumberland Court House, and although it has virtually vanished from the road maps it was once a thriving community consisting of some thirty homes, two stores, a gristmill, carriage shop, four blacksmith shops, and a post office.

Its history dates back to the 1800s and was named after British General Henry Clinton who rested his men here on their way to Yorktown to help Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War.

In the center of Clinton is a building dating to 1790 which is believed to be the county's first drug store. It was originally built as a Grange and Masonic Hall, but it has been used as a church, Sunday school, schoolhouse, dance hall, sawmill house, tobacco stripping barn, and then a store.

Long known as R. O. Moore's Mercantile Store and later as Brunner's store, it now houses an antique business. There are only a few homes that remain along with several outbuildings.

Cumberland Court House

Cumberland Court House is the county seat located on Route 60 in the approximate geographical center of the county. It is a thriving community which dates to 1748 after Cumberland County was separated from Powhatan.

Hamilton

The Hamilton crossroads community is located along Route 45 (Cartersville Road) at the intersection with Route 690 (Columbia Road) in northern Cumberland County.

Several dwellings, the chimney of an 18th century tavern, two stores, and the former Hamilton High School are located in the area.

Hillcrest

Prior to the construction of Route 60 (Anderson Highway) a store owned by James Ranson was located on Route 45 (Cumberland Road) on the crest of a hill, thus resulting in his naming it Hillcrest.

The area at the intersection of Route 45 (Cumberland Road) and Route 60 which has several businesses, a few private homes, and the former Luther P. Jackson School still bears this name.

Lakeside Village

Lakeside Village is a residential community which has developed around Trice's Lake in northern Cumberland County. It is located south of Route 690 (Columbia Road) and west of Route 714 (Trice's Lake Road).

Sunnyside

Sunnyside is a small community located five miles east of Cumberland Court House on Route 13 (Old Buckingham Road).

Tamworth

Tamworth was once a thriving community located on Muddy Creek on Route 659 (Tamworth Road).

A store built in 1792 which once housed the post office remains today and is completely furnished with antiques and collectibles.

Tamworth retains its postal zip code although it is not operated as a post office. The store is privately owned and in sight of Muddy Creek Mill.

CUMBERLAND VIRGINIA ECONOMY

The Town of Farmville (partly located in Cumberland County) serves as the hub of retail and commercial activity for surrounding counties in Central Virginia. Farmville has a service market area of more than 100,000 people.

Cumberland County issued 496 business licenses in 2000. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, services, construction, public administration, agriculture and forestry.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Forests -- Cumberland County has 135,560 acres of woodland or more than 70% of the county's total land area. The most common commercial forest species found are oak-hickory types, followed by Virginia pine, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, elm and ash.

Water -- Domestic supplies of groundwater are obtained from wells that are bored 20 to 70 feet below ground level. Water levels vary with climate changes. The water is generaly soft and free from mineral matter.

Minerals -- Cumberland County is in the Piedmont province and is underlain primarily by igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Recent testing indicates that clay materials at selected localities in Cumberland are potentially suitable for the manufacture of brick and other ceramic products.

Sulfide minerals and gold were prospected at a site near Cartersville.

The abandoned Piedmont Coal Company produced coal for local use from the early 1860s intermittently until the early 1980s in the southern part of the county.

Cumberland County Virginia GOVERNMENT

Cumberland County is governed by a five-member board of supervisors. A county administrator handles the daily operations of the county.

The county has adopted a comprehensive zoning plan.

Police protection is provided by a sheriff's office, with staffing that includes the sheriff, 9 full-time deputies, and 5 full-time dispatchers.

There are four state troopers assigned to the County.

There are three volunteer fire departments providing fire protection for Cumberland County: Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department, Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department and Randolph Volunteer Fire Department.

There are two volunteer rescue squads providing emergency medical services for Cumberland County: Cumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad and Cartersville Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Additional emergency medical services for the Randolph district are provided with volunteer rescue squad service from the Town of Farmville.

Cumberland County Schools

The Cumberland County Public School System is a small, model, rural, school system that promotes the academic excellence of each student through quality instruction and innovative programs while employing research-based practices.

The varied implemented programs such as Cortez Math and History, Accelerated Reader, Direct Instruction, Power Writing, Saxon Math, Senior Project, Fast-forward, Dell Laptop Initiative etc. consider the need of the whole child which include the child’s academic, emotional, physical, and social well-being.

The Cumberland County Public School System houses approximately 1400 students in 3 schools, Cumberland County Elementary School (grades pre-kindergarten–5 th), Cumberland Middle School (grades 6 th-8 th), and Cumberland High School (grade 9 th-12 th).

Approximately 105 instructional staff members are working toward preparing our students for tomorrow’s world.

We are at the forefront of technology, from our fiber-optic computer network, technology labs, classroom computers to individuals’ computers at a high school level.

Our students are given many opportunities to acquire necessary skills for a successful future.

Dual enrollment classes are offered in conjunction with Southside Virginia Community College for college credit. Advanced placement classes are available as well as Virginia Satellite Education Network courses.

Each year, students are selected to attend school part of the day at the Governor’s School for Global Economics & Technology at Longwood College.

These offerings are in addition to a full spectrum of courses in academic and vocational areas.

Cumberland School System is very competitive the region in Standards of Learning tests, in sports and extra-curricula activities, in teacher salaries, attendance, graduation, etc.

Vision Statement: The Cumberland County School System will be a model rural school system that serves as the educational and resource center for the community.

Mission Statement: Cumberland Public Schools, in partnership with the family and community, will provide every student with the opportunity for a first class education in a safe, respectful environment.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Parks -- There are three state parks within 30 miles of Cumberland, Bear Creek Lake State Park, Twin Lakes State Park and Holliday Lake State Park.

Bear Creek Lake State Park, located in heart of Cumberland County, offers swimming, camping, hiking and boating facilities.

There are 16,779 acres of state forest land open for hunting, boating and fishing with five public lakes located within the state forest boundaries.

The Park has partnered with the Cumberland State Forest to create the Cumberland Multi-Use Trail, which offers 20 miles of trails designed to accommodate hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The Willis River Hiking Trail extends for 16-miles through the Piedmont hills of the Cumberland State Forest. Most of its route is in mature hardwood forest.

At points, the trail overlooks Winston Lake and at times follows the banks of the scenic Willis River.

Two swinging footbridges are a highlight, crossing the Willis River, leading to perfect picnicking spots in the forests.

Cumberland State Forest is the second largest state forest in Virginia covering more than 16,000 acres. In addition to trails, the Forest is home to a 10-station, 50-shot sporting clays range and an archery range.

Within two hours of Cumberland are Kings Dominion Amusement Park, Wintergreen Ski Resort, Busch Gardens Theme Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Recreation -- Swimming, tennis, golf and ball field facilities are locally maintained. The county offers a public recreational program. A very active Dixie Youth League is offered to children of the county, along with a varied sports program for adults.

Heartland Golf and Country Club, a semi-private club, offers a 9-hole golf course, olympic-size swimming pool and clubhouse facilities. It is located adjacent to the Farmville Regional Airport.

Cultural -- Nearby Hampden-Sydney College and Longwood University provide such cultural offerings as plays, musical performances, forums, lecture series, performing arts series and festivals.

A "Fourth of July Celebration" has become a tradition at Cartersville on the James River. For years, it has attracted festival-goers of all ages from miles around. The fireworks display over the river is spectacular. Cartersville is also featured as an overnight stop in the annual Batteau Festival on the James River in July.

There are three movie theaters and one amateur theatre located in nearby Farmville.

Churches -- More than 40 Protestant churches and one Catholic church offer religious services in the county.

Lodging -- Lodging is available at one motel on Rt. 60, Cumberland, and at a bed and breakfast inn, historic Ampthill, in Cartersville. There are various motels and inns conveniently located in the nearby town of Farmville.

Public Library -- Located on Route 60 in the Court House area, the library contains 12,759 volumes plus video cassettes. Hours of operation are Monday, 1-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m-1 p.m., Sunday, closed.

AGRICULTURE

In 1998, Cumberland County had 237 farms. Average farm size is approximately 260 acres. The market value of agricultural products sold in 1991 was $29 million. Principle crops include tobacco and field crops except cash grains; livestock include poultry and eggs, beef cattle and dairy farms. Poultry and beef cattle are the major agricultural operations in the county.

MEDICAL

Southside Community Hospital, Farmville, is a 117-bed, full-service hospital. It offers 24-hour physician emergency services, an intensive/coronary care unit, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, physical/occupational therapy, radiology, pathology and home health care.

There are three doctors and two dentists, two medical centers and two drug stores in the county.

Health department services include home health care, pregnancy testing, immunizations, venereal disease testing, treatment and counseling, physical examinations and special medical services for children.

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