Historical Resources

Historic Locations

Altavista - Created in 1905 when the Lane family bought 2,000 acres of land in Campbell County for the purpose of building 32 miles of the Virginia Railway.

Brookneal - Chartered in 1802 after John Brooke built a tobacco warehouse near the boat landing and ferry crossing on the Staunton River.

Cat Rock Sluice - Part of the Roanoke Navigational Canal, located near Brookneal.

Concord - Third earliest settlement in the County and an important railroad stop.

Evington - Second oldest settlement in Campbell County; the site of a mill and a tavern that served as a traveler's rest and later a railroad station.

Hat Creek - The oldest settlement in Campbell County located six miles northeast of Brookneal on Virginia Route 601.

Gladys - Once called "Pigeon Run" after flocks of now extinct passenger pigeons that roosted in the forests. Later named Gladys after the daughter of a railroad executive.

Kanawa Canal - The remains of the canal lock serve as a reminder of the historical significance of the Kanawa Canal. The canal once served as a primary source of commerce and transportation in central Virginia.

Leesville - A center of trade before the American Revolution.

Naruna - A Native American name with an unknown meaning serves as the village of Naruna, and early trade center and mail stop, later a train stop.

New London - The county seat of Bedford County before the formation of Campbell County in 1781. Site of a Revolutionary War arsenal that was moved during the war to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, (now West Virginia), an arsenal made famous by John Brown in 1859. New London was also the site of one of Patrick Henry's most famous court cases, the celebrated Hook Case, during which the famous orator unleashed his venom and derision against John Hook, one of the many Tories (British sympathizers) who lived in the New London area.

Rustburg - Established as the county seat in 1784 when Jeremiah Rust donated land for the first court house. Numerous old buildings line the streets of this village, including the 1848 Court House, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also in Rustburg is Nickup, formerly a tavern where Patrick Henry rested on trips between his homes.

Historic Homes & Museums

Avoca Museum - Home of Colonel Charles Lynch, revolutionary patriot, and property on which the Lynch Tree is located. Lynch Tree - The old walnut tree under which Colonel Charles Lynch and others held informal court. Tories and criminals were tried under this tree in 1780 and thus evolved the term "Lynch Law". Tories were hung by a limb by their thumb nail until they cried "Liberty Forever" three times. Records indicate that none were killed.

Blenheim - Built before 1782, located on the Falling River near Brookneal.

Green Hill - Built by Samuel Pannell in 1797 near Long Island.

Plantation Gardens - The Gardens, located on State Route 622 (Lynbrook Road) were built in 1790 and include huge American and English boxwoods averaging 150-180 years old.

Red Hill - Patrick Henry National Memorial - Last home and burial place of Patrick Henry, the "Voice of the Revolution". Patrick Henry was Virginia's first governor (1776-1779 and 1784-1786) after independence was declared from Great Britain. The memorial includes Henry's reconstructed residence and the Osage Orange Tree. The Osage Orange Tree is a National Champion and in the American Forestry Hall of Fame with an 85 foot span and a height of 60-feet.

Shady Grove - Located on Route 650 near Gladys, was built on property inherited by Spotswood Henry, son of Patrick Henry.

White Hall - Built in 1810 by John S. Payne, the plantation contains two original construction native stone servant's quarters.