”Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it” Santayana once said. And he was right. It’s important to think about this sentence now more than ever. Orange County is (if we have the liberty to say it) perhaps one of the capitols of history in America. There is a lot to see and even more to learn. Are you wondering where to start? Check out some of the places from this history lover’s guide to Orange County, VA.
Start at the Orange Train Station
The train in literature often symbolizes an important journey. Therefore, the Orange Train Station can be a perfect place to start your journey to getting more profound knowledge about American history hidden in this beautiful part of Virginia. Trains changed the face of business in the United States in the early twentieth century. Having been constructed in 1910, the Orange Train Station played a crucial role in the county’s continued existence and development.
Although the Colonial Revival-style structure is no longer used for passenger transportation, it is nevertheless worth a visit since it houses the Orange County Visitors Center. The Visitor Center is open all seven days of the week. It’s kind of a crossroads for all the visitors. So, buying a vacation home near it can be a great investment.
Make sure to hop on the train of knowledge with this history lover’s guide to Orange County!
Visit Wilderness Battlefield
The sad cost of the Civil War is memorialized in the Wilderness Battlefield, located in the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. Guests have the option of:
Vehicle excursions
Self-guided hikes
Visits to historic battlegrounds
To an inexperienced eye, it may seem like an ordinary field in the village. But it’s so much more. Every rock and a little piece of grass hides great sorrow but also lessons for the generations to come. Make sure to listen to the old trees’ whispers and spread the word of wisdom to be cherished in the future.
Ellwood Manor is an important part of it
Ellwood Manor, which stands tall on the Wilderness Battlefield, was the command center for the Union’s right wing. There is a walking route and displays that will appeal to visitors of all ages at this historic property. Follow Route 20 to the Ellwood Manor entrance and soak in all it has to offer.
Exchange Hotel Museum was a place of hope
This structure, which opened in 1860 as a hotel, later served as a hospital for more than 70,000 service members from both the Union and the Confederate forces. This is the only surviving hospital from the Civil War era in Virginia. At the moment, you can visit it only on selected Saturdays during the month. But, seeing it and experiencing the place of life-saving and hope is definitely worth the extra effort.
Once a hotel, it became a place of hope and salvation for many during the Civil War.
The Germanna Fort Visitor Center will take your breath away
The Germanna Fort Visitor Center, library, museum, and memorial garden were built to commemorate the arrival of the first German settlers to Virginia in 1714. Also, you can take advantage of the 170 acres of woodland behind the school and the Rapidan River access by visiting the Siegen Forest paths.
You may fall in love with it
Many people fall in love with this region because of it and decide to move here. However, the whole process can be a bit overwhelming, and some choose not to pursue their dreams because of all the fuss. In order to make relocation less stressful and actually enjoy the process, it’s best to find reliable movers and let them handle all the heavy lifting. That way, you’ll be free to enjoy all the hidden gems near Germana Fort.
James Madison’s Montpelier deserves its place in history lover’s guide to Orange County
Historic site commemorating the life and times of James Madison, a key figure in the creation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You may learn about the area’s history and have fun with your family on one of Montpelier’s guided tours, family activities, or hiking trails. Also, if you’re a DC commuter (and a history lover), this place can be quite a treat for you.
However, this big mansion holds the darker side of American history too. This residence offers a colorful insight into the period of slavery. Even though it may not be pleasant to revisit our ancestors’ mistakes, it’s important to learn and experience first-hand the history of the rich and the poor. The history of men in power and the history of the powerless. As only knowledge is the power that will help us make a better future.
Barboursville ruins and vineyards
Thomas Jefferson built this opulent palace for Governor James Barbour. Unfortunately, on Christmas Day 1884, a fire destroyed it. Ruins at Barboursville are preserved as a historical site and are visible amid the grapes. As seen from a distance, this site can be a perfect metaphor for both faces of American history – the richness and the poverty and the potential to grow. Even though this burnt mansion isn’t quite conventionally part of the holiday decorating contest, it can be even more worth visiting and being a part of it, even for a day.
Even though it’s in ruins, this place perfectly sums up the spirit of American history.
Final thoughts
Orange County in Virginia holds many treasures of American history. And we don’t mean the gold or the diamonds. The amount of knowledge circling between the walls of all the residences mentioned above is what is truly valuable. If you have the privilege to follow this history lover’s guide to Orange County, make sure to listen. Listen to all of these places while they’re telling you their story. Listen to the locals and ask them where to find more secret historical gems of this region. Soak in all the knowledge, as only knowledge is power. Take the opportunity to get mentally stronger so you’ll, one day, make the future worth fighting for.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contacting Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Join the Germanna Foundation as they host a Public Access Day event at Historic Sulabria Manor in Stevensburg, Virginia on Saturday, April 30th from 10:30AM – 3:00PM. Visitors will experience hands on activities for kids, opportunity to walk the grounds of the historic building and learn more about the landscape with their staff archaeologist, Dr. Eric Larsen, VCU, and VCU professor Dr. Bernard Means will have a table of 3D objects for visitors to view and ask questions. A tour inside of historic Salubria will also be included with the purchase of a ticket. Touring the grounds is free, but to tour inside it will be $10 per person and includes a 45-minute tour. Tours take place on the hour at 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm however they are limited to 15 visitors per tour hour. Please register for the event here. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Salubria is located at 19173 Salubria Lane (off Route 3; if you are traveling west towards Culpeper, it will be on your left). Visitors can stop anytime between the scheduled hours.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
The father of our country is turning 289, and Ferry Farm is inviting you to celebrate with them! Visit George Washington’s boyhood home on February 15th and celebrate with the whole family from 10AM – 4PM. Guests will be able to engage with archeologists, historians, curators, and various other experts as you learn the history of Ferry Farm and the Washington family. Rumor has it that General Washington himself will be making an appearance to talk about his life growing up on the farm. The annual stone-throwing competition will also take place! It’s only $5 for adults to attend, and children 17 & under get in for free. Purchasing tickets in advance is required, and guests are asked to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing. Credit for the photo goes to the George Washington Foundation. For more information about the event, be sure to Click Here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Northern Virginia, Maryland, or DC we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
What better way to start off the holiday season than visiting Mount Vernon for the Winter Glow lights celebration. Here you’ll get a chance to see the estate illuminated with holiday patterns and soft lights. You’ll also have the opportunity to listen to classic Christmas carols! Enjoy celebrating the holidays with your family at the estate of our founding father! For more information about the event, Click Here!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Both Napoleon and Frederick the Great have been credited with the saying “An army marches on its stomach.” Provisioning an army, especially one that numbered over 125,000 – the size of the Army of the Potomac at the beginning of General U.S. Grant’s Overland Campaign in May 1864 – would prove to be a monumental logistical challenge.
Fresh beef – 1¼ pounds daily according to the US War Department Army Regulations – was an important component of the Federal Civil War soldier’s ration. The most practical way to furnish beef to campaigning soldiers was to have herds of cattle march with the army.
So how much beef was needed?
An estimate given by Lt. Colonel C. W. Tolles in 1864 stated “A
bullock will furnish about 450 rations, so that an army of 100,000 men needs
over two hundred beef cattle for its supply.” Based on 450 rations
per head of beef, an army of 125,000 men consumed 278 head of beef daily.
At least 6,000 head crossed the Rapidan
River with the Army of the Potomac in early May of 1864. These
6,000 documented head produced approximately 2.7 million rations, enough to
supply an army of 125,000 for 21½ days.
The
6,000 head were gathered from holding pens in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington,
D.C. How did 6,000 head of cattle get to the Army of the Potomac for the
Overland Campaign?
An
excerpt from Feeding a Great Army ”
in the United States Service Magazine
in February 1880 by Brevet Brigadier General Thomas Wilson tells how:
“…to carry out my orders of supply, it
would be necessary to have sent up to the front from Alexandria, some 50 miles
distant, about 6,000 head of beef cattle, with the forage, corn in the ear, and
hay necessary to subsist them until the march began, and this feat had to be
accomplished between one Friday morning and the next Tuesday night; or, in
other words… an average of 1,200 head of beef cattle had to be sent daily by me
for five days, with the necessary forage for their maintenance.
The existing capacity of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad in cattle cars was, at this time, for only 300 head daily…
The sudden call and the subsequent
remarkable feat of shipping 6,000 cattle over this road of a single track, in
the time required and with its limited resources was accomplished by the
authorities seizing all the flat cars within reach and placing fences around
them… In this manner, 1,800 head were
sent up in one day of twenty-four hours.
At one time during the shipment an endless train of cattle cars was in
transit, most of the railroad sidings being filled with them… We received all the cattle asked for before
the time needed.
Three hundred men were kept constantly
employed in unloading the cattle cars on their arrival at the front, so that
the emptied cars might be sent back without delay.”
The herds and animals that we see today
in the rural parts of Spotsylvania and Orange Counties are insignificant when
compared to those that travelled with General Grant. The Army of the Potomac had more than 50,000
horses and mules and at least 6,000 head of beef. Big armies meant big numbers.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
May 6, 1864 was a day of changing fortunes as the Union fought the Confederates along Orange Plank Rd. It began with a 5 AM attack by the Union II Corps, reinforced by divisions from V and VI Corps, under command of General Hancock. The attack drove General A.P. Hill’s III Corps from its positions. They fled west towards Parker’s Store. The 7 AM arrival of General Longstreet’s I Corps stemmed the rout. Longstreet’s counter attack at Tapp Field drove the Federals back toward their starting positions to the east. By 10 AM the two armies were at a standstill facing each other astride Orange Plank in the vicinity of the monument to Union General James Wadsworth.
Exhibit 15: Unfinished Railroad Cut
General Lee sent his Chief Engineer, General Smith, to see if there was a way to break the stalemate. Smith and his party walked east along the unfinished railroad, which lay south of the Union’s flank. Both armies were aware of the unfinished railroad about ¼ mile south of and parallel to Orange Plank. In the chaos of battle, neither army had thought about using it as an attack route, or about defending it against such an attack, until Smith’s reconnaissance. Smith found the railroad grade undefended. He returned and reported his findings to Longstreet.
Longstreet sent four brigades to attack
the Union flank under the command of his aide Lt. Col. Sorrel. Sorrel arranged the men along the railroad
grade and, when all men were in position, began the attack shortly after 11
AM. It burst upon the Union flank in
total surprise. In addition, as soon as
the fighting started on the flank, Longstreet’s remaining troops attacked the
Union’s front.
McAlister’s brigade on the Union flank
was first to feel the Confederate onslaught.
It was quickly routed. Soon all eight
Union brigades south of Orange plank had collapsed like dominos. Union General Wadsworth, in command of Union
forces north of Orange Plank, heroically attempted to organize a defense on the
north side of the road. It was to no
avail leaving him mortally wounded. By
12:30 PM, all Union positions had been overrun with the defenders withdrawing
east to Brock Road or north to the Lacy House (Ellwood Manor).
The Confederate’s success quickly
turned to failure. While riding to the
front to direct a continued advance, General Longstreet was accidentally shot
by soldiers of the 12th Virginia of Mahone’s Brigade. While he
survived, it wasn’t until four hours later that the Confederates were able to
reorganize and resume the attack. By
then the Union had strengthened its defenses along Brock Road. The renewed attack failed. In addition to the short term loss, it would
be months before Longstreet recovered sufficiently to resume command.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
The term “unfinished railroad” refers to the roadbed without track that existed during the Civil War. This article will give a brief description of its history. Another article will discuss its use specifically during the Civil War period.
The “unfinished railroad” had a role in the Civil War, but
later it was two different working railroads run on the same roadbed. Although
incorporated in 1853 no track had been laid as the Civil War began. Running
between Orange and Fredericksburg, it existed under several names and
configurations existing operationally from 1877 until 1984. The first line was
narrow gauge, best known as the Potomac, Fredericksburg and Piedmont Railroad
(PF&P). It provided passenger and freight service for almost fifty years.
The second venture was standard gauge. It also hauled freight and passengers
under the name of the Virginia Central Railway between 1927 to1937 and freight
within Fredericksburg until 1984.
Incorporated in 1853, the
Fredericksburg and Gordonsville Railroad Company’s (FGRRC’s) “purpose was to
build a railroad between Fredericksburg and Gordonsville or Orange Court House
in order to connect with the rail lines already running to Gordonsville.” The
company failed by November 1857. Road
grading from Fredericksburg on 18 miles of the project had taken place by the
time of the Civil War but no track had been laid, thus the “unfinished
railroad” term. The project was resurrected in 1871. Some progress was made by
the new company, however, after many delays, the State took possession of the
railroad in December of 1873. It restored the property to the original owner,
the FGRRC. In March 1876 the railroad was again reorganized and the name
changed to the Potomac, Fredericksburg and Piedmont (PF&P), best known to
locals as the “Poor Folks, and Preachers” due to its clientele. The first train
to Orange arrived on February 26th, 1877.
PF&P showed a profit for many years. 1910 proved a banner year with 18,000 passengers and $56,000 in freight revenue. The high point for number of employees was 63 in 1920 but the decline was coming. The automobile and the truck “offered portal to portal service and substantial reductions in labor costs.” Furthermore the line could not interchange freight with mainline connections. In 1925 the line was sold and reorganized as the Orange and Fredericksburg Railroad but that was quickly sold to Langhorne Williams, a Richmond banker. The new name was the Virginia Central and the first upgrade was to install standard gauge track in 1926.
The line generally operated at a loss until it petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1937 to abandon the 37 miles between Orange and West Fredericksburg. It would continue to operate one mile of track in Fredericksburg as a switching operation for 15 industrial customers. The Williams family continued to operate that line until 1967 when it was transferred to the city. The line was quickly recognized as a white elephant and although several schemes promised a profit, in March of 1984 the ICC approved final abandonment
Three excellent sources of reading are
“Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad Historical Society, Inc.”
Volume 5, Issue 4, Fall 2009, “The Virginia Central Railway,” Ames Williams,
pages 18-28, Remembering: A History of Orange County, Frank S. Walker
Jr., pages 252-256 and “Tracks Through Time; A Railfan Tour of Orange County,
Virginia”, Frank S. Walker Jr., page 20, a pamphlet available at the Orange
County Visitor Center.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Next month marks the 154th
anniversary of one of the largest and most significant battles in America’s
Civil War, the Battle of the Wilderness.
Conducted around, and sometimes on, our community’s grounds during the
first week of May 1864, the battle is often considered the beginning of the end
of the Confederacy. This year, during
the weekend of May 5 and 6, the National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction
with local living history re-enactor organizations and the Friends of the
Wilderness Battlefield, will offer to the public, free of charge, a full range
of events and demonstrations commemorating this momentous battle.
This event will be held on the grounds of Ellwood Manor,
a restored plantation home located on Route 20, approximately a half mile from
intersection of Route 20 and Route 3.
Participating in the weekend’s activities will be Confederate and Union
infantry and cavalry re-enactors as well as individuals depicting key battle
commanders such as Generals Ulysses Grant, George Meade, and Gouverneur
Warren. Each participating organization
will set up a campsite near Ellwood that will allow you to view several
demonstrations of camp life, including stepping into the life of a soldier or
learning about the medical realities of war in the mid-19th century.
Anyone who wants to learn more about this hallowed land
where we live should not miss this event.
The activities will be held on the grounds of Ellwood each day on May 5
and 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; some will be ongoing and others scheduled at
specific times, usually on the hour.
There will be multiple infantry and cavalry battle
demonstrations between the Confederate and Union re-enactors each day. At 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days, the NPS will
conduct live fire artillery demonstrations.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, all of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery units
will conduct a combined battle demonstration.
You don’t want to miss these!
Just prior to the midday firing demonstrations each day, you will be
able to witness a major confrontation among Generals Grant, Meade, and Warren
just as it may have occurred on May 5, 1863.
There will be opportunities to talk to each of the participants and
plenty of photo ops in front of the manor house as well as with all re-enactors
and horses.
Regardless of what you know about the Wilderness Battle
or the Civil War writ large, you will leave Ellwood with a better understanding
of and new perspectives about the events that occurred on this hallowed ground
and how they affected the final outcome of the war less than a year later.
For more information about this Living History event, you
can visit the local NPS website (www.nps.gov.frsp) or the Friends of the Wilderness
Battlefield website (www.fowb.org).
They will provide you with additional details about the events and
participants, as well as the timeline for specific activities and
demonstrations. Mark your calendars –
this weekend is a must see!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
One of the main reasons to move to Virginia is the great quality of life.
If you’re thinking about moving from New York City and buying a property in Virginia, you’re not the only one. A lot of New Yorkers are starting to look for a property in Virginia, and there are a lot of reasons why. One of them is an excellent offer of available jobs. Another is the high numbers of educated people in Virginia. People come to Orange County similar places to start a career and enjoy all that Virginia has to offer. Quiet and crowd-free beaches are a perfect spot to spend your Sunday afternoon at. Similarly, if you’re moving there with kids, you can be sure that there would be a lot of activities to do, like going to amusement parks or museums.
If you want to find a good job, move to Northern Virginia.
Since Northern Virginia is close to Washington D.C., you might want to consider buying a property there. This location is great when it comes to job opportunities and building your career. That’s because a lot of companies are moving into Northern Virginia, meaning that there will be and already are plenty of hiring opportunities for job seekers. If you’re trying to find a job in the government or technology, you’ll see that there are a lot of government agencies and IT companies there. Similarly, if you’re looking to open your own company and need suitable office space, there sure are plenty to find in Northern Virginia. Plus, you’ll be close to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.
Some other things that Northern Virginia has to offer to New Yorkers are gorgeous mountain views, nature preserves, and spots for camping. New York, on the other hand, is a busy place with plenty of stuff going on nonstop. Virginia, however, is the perfect getaway from all the hustle and bustle of a big city. You’ll have the best of both worlds: amazing career options and much more peaceful surroundings.
If you’re ready to relocate and start a career in Virginia, you’ll need to find a home. Try searching for open houses and see if any meets your standards.
Choose peaceful West Virginia when buying a property.
West Virginia has a lot to offer to those who enjoy the outdoors and a peaceful, natural surrounding.
West Virginia has a lot to offer to those who enjoy the outdoors and a peaceful, natural surrounding Alt tag: Cheat Lake, West Virginia, one of the things worth buying a property in Virginia for
Moreover, if your main reason for moving out of New York City is to find a quieter place, the Appalachian Mountains or the coast are great locations. You can find impressive properties in small towns close to these areas and enjoy your daily peace and quiet.
If you’re a true New Yorker, getting used to the calming natural surroundings and activities that can be done there can take some time. However, this need not be the case. You may discover that you actually quite enjoy nature and the mountainous regions. So, expect to make some lifestyle changes and don’t be afraid to try something new. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some planting and agriculture or go hiking in the mountains. Finally, get ready for some breathtaking natural views, especially in fall. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale just by being surrounded by beautiful nature.
All in all, buying a property in West Virginia is a great idea if you want to save up a bit since it is quite the contrary to the expensive lifestyle back in New York City. So, you’ll just need to find a good real estate agent to help you buy a house in Virginia that best suits your needs.
Virginia is diverse, just like New York City.
Virginia is home to a diverse population that makes this state a beautiful place to live in.
One thing that won’t require plenty of adjusting is diversity in Virginia. Just like in New York City, Virginia is home to a richly diverse population that keeps on growing. There are a lot of Asian Americans as well as Hispanic Americans that live in Virginia. Moreover, many are still relocating there in large numbers. Virginia has become the place of choice for many immigrant families because of cheaper lifestyle and many job offers. That is why you won’t need to worry about buying a property there. Moreover you don’t need to worry about fitting in with the rest of the population. Virginia continues to be a welcoming place for people with all kinds of backgrounds and culture. Find a reliable moving company with experienced workers like the ones from divinemoving.com. With such professionals, moving to a new property in Virginia will actually be an enjoyable process.
Great Education and Healthcare are worth buying a property for.
You can count on great healthcare in Virginia.
Northern Virginia is a place with many prestigious and award-winning hospitals. Similarly, a lot of Virginia’s healthcare institutions are nationally ranked thanks to their exceptional care. So, this alone should be the reason to consider buying a property in Virginia.
Virginia also has the following organizations:
Virginia Health Foundation
The Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
Moreover, the education system in Virginia is also impressive. Students have amazing results in almost every subject and public schools have high ranks. There are almost 170 universities and colleges which is why there are so many highly educated people. If you are a student or have children, you can be sure that moving to Virginia is a great idea.
If you have bought a home in Virginia you’ll also need a good moving company. They will pack your belongings in cheap but secure boxes. In that way you won’t need to experience any stress during relocation.
Low crime rates and great quality of life
Due to the low crime rates and therefore, a great quality of life, you should certainly consider moving to Virginia. The feeling of being safe in your own home is an important factor to consider when buying a property. Part of the reason for Virginia’s good quality of life is the median income that is significantly higher than the nation’s average. This is due to the fact that there is a large number of people with high education.
In addition, Virginia has a lot of employment opportunities. That is why New Yorkers decide on relocating here and buying a property.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Initially, this series on History in Our Backyard
described how the Wilderness became the Wilderness. Now we will delve into the early inhabitants
who came to what would become known as “The Wilderness.” All things Wilderness
were synonymous with Alexander Spotswood, the colony’s Royal Lt Governor in the
early 1700s. He initiated the economic progress of the region through his
efforts to establish Germanna fort and an iron industry. One source states that
“there, thirty miles from the last outlying farms, the Germans set to work,
clearing a site on the riverbank and building a fortified town.” The same
source references the fort being supplied by pack-trains of mules and horses.
Exhibit 2 Germanna Fort
Those same pack-trains were instrumental in his 1716
venture into the mountains to the west. His band of adventure-seeking explorers
departed from the Germanna fort accompanied by animals laden with supplies
including a healthy supply of spirits. He later awarded each participant with a
golden horseshoe pin thereby identifying them as the “Knights of the Golden
Horseshoe” for eternity.
At the time of Spotswood’s term as Lt Governor of
Virginia in 1722, he had firmly established his presence in the area. Through a
somewhat devious plan he had accumulated over 80,000 acres of land. Records
show that he never sold a single acre of the land, choosing instead to lease
lots, mostly in 50 acre parcels, a few in parcels of up to 500 acres.
English law at that time dictated that settlers
construct a home and plant an orchard on their leased property within three
years. They also had to clear and plant a minimum one-acre garden and/or cropland.
Initially, many chose to plant tobacco. The Colony was cash-strapped in those
days and tobacco became the medium of exchange in most commercial transactions.
A 1724 inventory of Spotswood’s properties shows that
he owned his fort, his large home, dozens of farm animals and the basis of the
iron works, namely the Tubal site, about 12 miles east of his residence. At
Germanna, he established the first County seat of Spotsylvania and held court
in his home. The presence of the court quickly brought its own society;
travelers arrived routinely for appearances before the justices.
County courts developed “Order Books” in those days.
Both the Spotsylvania and later Orange (after 1734) books contain references to
orders issued to Spotswood, primarily dictating that he organize work crews to
maintain the road to Germanna and the bridge over Wilderness Run, located near
the present day intersection of State Route 3 and US 20. Local residents
provided the labor for the crews, usually their slaves. Spotswood did maintain
the ferry that operated over the Rapid Anne River, today’s Rapidan. He also
maintained his own road from Germanna to the Tubal Iron Works.
Eventually, small enterprises sprang up in the area.
Those that were not located at the Court complex would be found along the
Germanna Road. Retail stores, grain mills, saw mills, post offices, wagon
makers and leatherworks businesses all found their place. Physicians took up
residence in the area and church spires began to become part of the local
scenery. By 1725 there were 7 plantations alone in the area surrounding the
Tubal Iron Works site. The new Wilderness society was beginning to take shape.
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