Wytheville, Virginia

Wytheville, Virginia
source
Name	Wytheville, Virginia
Settlement type	Town
Coordinates	36.9479, -81.0847
Subdivision type	United States
Subdivision name	Virginia
Subdivision type1	County
Subdivision name1	Wythe
Established title	Founded
Established date	1792
Founder	George Wythe

Wytheville, Virginia is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, near the New River Valley. The town is situated in Wythe County, Virginia, which was formed from Montgomery County, Virginia in 1790, and is named after George Wythe, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and a judge of the Virginia Supreme Court. Wytheville is close to the North Carolina border and is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is also near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Geography

Wytheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, near the New River and the New River Trail State Park. The town is surrounded by the Piedmont and the Appalachian Mountains, and is close to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Grayson Highlands State Park. The New River flows through the town and offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Wytheville is also near the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, and the Radford University campus in Radford, Virginia. The town is situated near the intersection of Interstate 77 and Interstate 81, and is close to the Roanoke Regional Airport and the Tri-Cities Airport.

History

Wytheville was founded in 1792 and was named after George Wythe, a prominent Virginia lawyer and judge. The town was established as the county seat of Wythe County, Virginia, which was formed from Montgomery County, Virginia in 1790. During the American Civil War, Wytheville was a key location for the Confederacy, and was the site of several battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Wytheville. The town was also an important stop on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, which connected Richmond, Virginia to Bristol, Virginia and Knoxville, Tennessee. Wytheville is also close to the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865, ending the American Civil War.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Wytheville was approximately 8,200 people, with a median household income of around $40,000. The town has a diverse population, with a mix of European Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics. Wytheville is also home to a large number of veterans, with many residents having served in the United States Armed Forces, including the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps. The town is close to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, and the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Economy

The economy of Wytheville is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, retail, and tourism. The town is home to several major employers, including the Wythe County Public Schools, the Town of Wytheville, and the Wythe County Sheriff's Office. Wytheville is also close to the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center and the Blacksburg Electronic Village, which provide opportunities for technology and innovation. The town is also a popular destination for tourists, with many visitors drawn to the area's natural beauty, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the New River. Wytheville is also near the Smithfield Foods plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina, and the Merck & Co. plant in Durham, North Carolina.

Culture

Wytheville has a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums, galleries, and performance venues. The town is home to the Wytheville Community Center, which hosts a variety of events and activities, including concerts, theater productions, and art exhibits. Wytheville is also close to the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and the Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Virginia. The town is also home to the Wytheville Farmers' Market, which offers a variety of local produce, crafts, and food vendors. Wytheville is also near the University of Virginia's College at Wise, and the Southwest Virginia Community College.

Transportation

Wytheville is located at the intersection of Interstate 77 and Interstate 81, making it a key transportation hub in Southwest Virginia. The town is also served by the Wytheville Transit system, which provides public transportation to residents and visitors. Wytheville is close to the Roanoke Regional Airport and the Tri-Cities Airport, which offer commercial air service to destinations across the United States. The town is also near the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, which conducts research on transportation safety and sustainability. Wytheville is also close to the Norfolk Southern Railway and the CSX Transportation rail lines, which provide freight and passenger rail service to the area. Category:Town in Virginia