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Coordinates: 37°47′N 78°53′W / 37.79°N 78.88°W / 37.79; -78.88
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As many people slept unaware, the ensuing flash floods and mudslides killed 153&nbsp;people, 22 of them from [[Massies Mill, Virginia|Massies Mill]] alone.<ref> http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17 </ref> Across Nelson County, 133 bridges were washed out, while some entire communities were under water.<ref name="CamilleTCR">{{cite web|author=United States Department of Commerce|year=1969|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1969-prelim/camille/TCR-1969Camille.pdf|title=Hurricane Camille August 14-22, 1969|publisher=Environmental Science Services Administration|accessdate=2008-03-23|format=PDF}}</ref> In the tiny Davis Creek community, only 3 of 35 homes were left standing after the floodwaters receded.<ref> http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17 </ref> The bodies of some people were never found; other washed as much as 25 miles downstream along the creeks and rivers. The entire county was virtually cutoff, with many roads and virtually all bridges, telephone and electric service interupted.
As many people slept unaware, the ensuing flash floods and mudslides killed 153&nbsp;people, 22 of them from [[Massies Mill, Virginia|Massies Mill]] alone.<ref> http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17 </ref> Across Nelson County, 133 bridges were washed out, while some entire communities were under water.<ref name="CamilleTCR">{{cite web|author=United States Department of Commerce|year=1969|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1969-prelim/camille/TCR-1969Camille.pdf|title=Hurricane Camille August 14-22, 1969|publisher=Environmental Science Services Administration|accessdate=2008-03-23|format=PDF}}</ref> In the tiny Davis Creek community, only 3 of 35 homes were left standing after the floodwaters receded.<ref> http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17 </ref> The bodies of some people were never found; other washed as much as 25 miles downstream along the creeks and rivers. The entire county was virtually cutoff, with many roads and virtually all bridges, telephone and electric service interupted.


There was massive flooding elsewhere in Virginia; the [[James River (Virginia)|James River]] just above Richmond crested more than 20 feet above flood stage at [[Westham, Virginia|Westham]], as citizens watched portions of houses and buidlings and dead livestock flow past. However, nowhere in Virginia was the storm as devastating and deadly as in Nelson County.
There was massive flooding elsewhere in Virginia; the [[James River (Virginia)|James River]] just above Richmond crested more than 20 feet above flood stage at [[Westham, Virginia|Westham]], as citizens watched portions of houses and buidlings and dead livestock flow past. Just below the latter crossing, the waters of the Tye River flowed into the James River. Joined by massive flooding from other tributaries, the James crested in Richmond at 28.6 feet at the City Locks, swamping downtown areas and a substantial portion of South Richmond which had formerly been the separate city of [[Manchester, Virginia|Manchester]].<ref> http://www.discoverrichmond.com/dis/sports/recreation/james_river/article/flood_wall_park/1457/ </ref> However, nowhere in Virginia was the storm as devastating and deadly as in Nelson County.


{{seealso|Hurricane Camille}}
{{seealso|Hurricane Camille}}

Revision as of 10:46, 2 January 2009

Nelson County
County
Official seal of Nelson County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Nelson County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°47′N 78°53′W / 37.79°N 78.88°W / 37.79; -78.88
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1807
SeatLovingston
Area
 • Total474 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water2 sq mi (5 km2)  0.41%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total14,445
 • Density30/sq mi (12/km2)
Websitewww.nelsoncounty.com

Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,445. Its county seat is LovingstonTemplate:GR. It is also home to Wintergreen Resort, a local ski area, and is the location of Walton's Mountain made famous by the television show, The Waltons. Nelson County is also home to many thriving vineyards.

Nelson County is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Nelson County was established in 1807 from Amherst County. The county is named for Thomas Nelson, Jr., Governor of Virginia in 1781.

On thee night of August 20, 1969, Nelson County was the site of disastrous flooding due to Hurricane Camille. The hurricane had come ashore on the Gulf Coast 2 days earlier, and weakening over land, had traveled north and and then stalled on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, dumping a record quantity of 27 inches (690 mm) of rain, mostly within only a 3 hour period. The rainfall was so heavy there were reports of birds drowning in trees and of survivors who had to cup their hands around mouth and nose in order to breathe through such a deluge.

As many people slept unaware, the ensuing flash floods and mudslides killed 153 people, 22 of them from Massies Mill alone.[1] Across Nelson County, 133 bridges were washed out, while some entire communities were under water.[2] In the tiny Davis Creek community, only 3 of 35 homes were left standing after the floodwaters receded.[3] The bodies of some people were never found; other washed as much as 25 miles downstream along the creeks and rivers. The entire county was virtually cutoff, with many roads and virtually all bridges, telephone and electric service interupted.

There was massive flooding elsewhere in Virginia; the James River just above Richmond crested more than 20 feet above flood stage at Westham, as citizens watched portions of houses and buidlings and dead livestock flow past. Just below the latter crossing, the waters of the Tye River flowed into the James River. Joined by massive flooding from other tributaries, the James crested in Richmond at 28.6 feet at the City Locks, swamping downtown areas and a substantial portion of South Richmond which had formerly been the separate city of Manchester.[4] However, nowhere in Virginia was the storm as devastating and deadly as in Nelson County.

See also: Hurricane Camille
The Tye River flows through the mountains and low hills of Nelson County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,228 km²), of which, 472 square miles (1,223 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) of it (0.41%) is water. The Blue Ridge Mountains form the northwest boundary of the county; the James River forms the boundary to the southeast. Internally, Nelson consists of the Rockfish, Tye and Piney Rivers, along with many known creeks.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Education

Nelson County Public Schools is a Virginia public school division. It operates two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The middle and high schools are located just outside Lovingston, Virginia. Nelson County also provides free GED testing to all adults.

Unincorporated towns

There are no cities or incorporated towns in Nelson County. Unincorporated communities include:

Demographics

Historical marker on Route 250 heading east over Afton Mountain.

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 14,445 people, 5,887 households, and 4,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.65% White, 14.89% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 2.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,887 households out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 29.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,769, and the median income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $29,684 versus $24,153 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,230. 12.10% of the population and 8.50% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.40% are under the age of 18 and 14.60% are 65 or older.

Notable people from Nelson County

References

  1. ^ http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17
  2. ^ United States Department of Commerce (1969). "Hurricane Camille August 14-22, 1969" (PDF). Environmental Science Services Administration. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  3. ^ http://hurricanewatch.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=TFP&PackageID=9&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=66&GroupID=17
  4. ^ http://www.discoverrichmond.com/dis/sports/recreation/james_river/article/flood_wall_park/1457/

37°47′N 78°53′W / 37.79°N 78.88°W / 37.79; -78.88

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