Purcellville, Virginia: Difference between revisions

Purcellville, Virginia
Purcellville, Virginia
Town
	Downtown Purcellville in May, 2007.
	Location of Purcellville, Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Loudoun
Area
• Total	3.1 sq mi (6.1 km2)
• Land	3.1 sq mi (6.1 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	574 ft (175 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	7,727
• Density	1,512.2/sq mi (583.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	20132, 20134, 20160
Area code	540
FIPS code	51-65008Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	1472871Template:GR
Website	PurcellvilleVA.com

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Purcellville is a town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. The population was 7,727 as of the 2010 census. Purcellville is the major population center for western Loudoun and the Loudoun Valley. Today, many of the older structures remaining in Purcellville reflect the Victorian architecture popular during the early 20th century.^{[clarification needed]}

History

Although the first land grant in the area was issued by Lord Fairfax in 1740, it was not until 1764 that Purcellville's first known settler, James Dillon from Buck's County, Pennsylvania, arrived. The early ox cart track which wound westward from Leesburg towards the Blue Ridge, known later as the "Great Road," served as the nucleus of the town. The first recorded business, an ordinary (a combined store and inn), was established by Abraham Vickers in 1799. This was followed by a second ordinary, established by Stacey Taylor in 1804, and later by "Purcel's Store" and Post Office, established by Valentine Vernon Purcell (from whom the town's name is derived). A blacksmith's shop, established around 1848, was also among the Purcellville's earliest businesses. The first public school was built in 1883. On July 9, 1853 the village officially adopted the name Purcellville and on March 14, 1908 the town was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly ^[1].

The Great Road became an authorized turnpike in 1785 and extended the turnpike system westward from Alexandria to Snicker's Gap, and beyond to Berryville and Winchester^[2]. With the construction of this Turnpike in 1832, travel through Purcellville began to increase ad the first stagecoach arrived in 1841. A railroad on link on the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire line (forerunner to the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad) connecting the town to Leesburg and points east was built prior to the Civil War, and travel to points further west were continued by stagecoach through Purcellville. When the railroad was extended to Purcellville in 1874, The town took Leesburg's place as the beginning of the stage route until the railroad was extended to Round Hill in 1875. The railroad ceased operation in 1968 and its right-of-way serves as the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, which has its western terminus in the town.

Although both Union and Confederate armies passed through Purcellville during the Civil War, the town witnessed limited fighting with the most notable action occurring at the skirmish of Heaton's Crossroads. The town and surrounding area were contained within the area known as Mosby's Confederacy, the main area of operations for Confederate partisan John S. Mosby, and the town was pillaged as part of the The Burning Raid of 1864 in retribution for the area's support of Mosby's command.

In the 20th century, a series of disastrous fires, the first in 1900 and then two more in 1914, virtually wiped out the business district, depriving the town of what remained of its earliest architectural heritage. The town's prominent location in the center of the Loudoun Valley and presence of the railroad helped the town to become the major agricultural center of western Loudoun and led to redevelopment and expansion of the business district in the early and mid 20th century. In the latter 20th century, widening of Virginia State Route 7 has lead to increased suburban development in and around the town and Purcellville's traditional dependence upon agriculture as its primary source of income has since diminished as more and more residents are employed outside of the community ^[3].

Geography

Purcellville is located at 39°8′4″N 77°42′40″W / 39.13444°N 77.71111°W / 39.13444; -77.71111 (39.134530, -77.711177)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²), all of it land.

Purcellville lies in western Loudoun County, Virginia, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley, approximately 9 miles west of the County Seat of Leesburg, Virginia. Just to the west are the Blue Ridge Mountains (visible from many areas of town) and the town Round Hill, 4 miles (6.4 km) away. Philomont is 5 miles (8.0 km) miles south, and Middleburg, Virginia is approximately 12 miles (19 km) to the southeast. Lovettsville is approximately 11 miles (18 km) to the north.

Government

Purcellville is governed by a town council with six seats and a mayor. Three of the seats, and the mayor's seat go before the voters every two years. The Purcellville Town Council is currently composed of Bob Lazaro Jr. as Mayor, Vice Mayor Dr. James Wiley, Council members Greg Wagner, Christopher J.(CJ)Walker III, Tom Priscilla, Joan Lehr,and Newly elected Council member Keith Melton.

The train station that was once part of the W&OD rail line and is now the western end of the W&OD trail.

Demographics

As of the census Template:GR of 2000, there were 3,584 people, 1,253 households, and 956 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,512.2 people per square mile (583.9/km²). There were 1,292 housing units at an average density of 545.1 per square mile (210.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.92% White, 7.45% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.

There were 1,253 households out of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,108, and the median income for a family was $69,211. Males had a median income of $50,815 versus $34,808 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,112. About 2.6% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The town's educational institutions include public and private institutions. Loudoun County Public Schools operates public schools. Public schools covering kindergarten to twelfth grade include Loudoun Valley High School, Woodgrove High School, Blue Ridge Middle School, Harmony Middle School, Emerick, Kenneth W. Culbert, and Mountain View Elementary Schools. Patrick Henry College, a private Christian liberal arts college, is located just inside the eastern border of Purcellville.

Public safety

The Purcellville Police Department is a 24-hour law enforcement, state-accredited agency, comprising 14 officers and 1 civilian personnel. The Police Department is located at 125 Hirst Road in Purcellville, and is one of many law enforcement agencies in Loudoun County. It also has an auxiliary unit, the Purcellville Citizen Support Team, that performs street patrols and assist officers in accidents and civil events like parades.

Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad Company 14, established in 1969, is a 100% volunteer organization in partnership with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. The organization operates three ambulances and provides both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) to the citizens and community of Purcellville and its surrounding areas.

Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company 2 is a separate organization and is staffed by career Loudoun County personnel from 6AM to 6PM and volunteers from 6PM to 6AM. During the day, the career staff have first-pull on any emergency call for the station, but volunteers must staff the second-out fire apparatus on a call, and any remaining calls while the career staff are out of the station. Their apparatus currently includes a class A attack pumper/medium duty squad (Rescue Engine 602), class A attack pumper(Engine 602), 3000 gallon tanker (Tanker 602), 102 ft ladder truck (Tower 602), a brush truck (Brush 602), a jeep designed in house for off road fires (Jeep 602), a Ford Excursion for transportation of personnel (SERV 602), a 2011 Ford F250 for transporting equipment and snowplow during the winter (Utility 602) and a 2011 Chevy Tahoe designated Command 602.

Purcellville Fire and Purcellville Rescue moved into their new building at 500 N. Maple Ave. in early June 2009. While they reside under one roof they still retain their independent company names and numbers. Purcellville Fire's side opens onto Hirst Road, while Purcellville Rescue opens on to Maple Ave.

Loudoun County Battalion Chief 602, also operates out of Station 2 24/7.

References

^ Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.
^ Pawlett, Nathanial Mason, Historic Roads of Virginia, Virginia Highway Research Council, 1977.
^ Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.

External links

[1] Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.

[2] Pawlett, Nathanial Mason, Historic Roads of Virginia, Virginia Highway Research Council, 1977.

[3] Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 ==History==
-Although the first land grant in the area was issued by Lord Fairfax in 1740 it was not until 1764 that Purcellville's first known settler, James Dillon from Buck's County, Pennsylvania, arrived.1 As might be expected, it would take a road to make a town; the early ox cart track which wound westward from Leesburg, known later as the "Great Road," served the purpose. The first recorded business, an ordinary (a combined store and inn), was established by Abraham Vickers in 1799. This was followed by a second ordinary, established by Stacey Taylor in 1804, and later by "Purcel's Store" and Post Office, Established by Valentine Vernon Purcell (from whom the Town's name is derived). A blacksmith's shop, established around 1848, was also among the Town's earliest businesses. The Town's first public school was built in 1883. On July 9, 1853 the village officially adopted the name Purcellville and on March 14, 1908 the Town was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly.
+Although the first land grant in the area was issued by Lord Fairfax in 1740, it was not until 1764 that Purcellville's first known settler, James Dillon from Buck's County, Pennsylvania, arrived. The early ox cart track which wound westward from Leesburg towards the Blue Ridge, known later as the "Great Road," served  as the nucleus of the town. The first recorded business, an ordinary (a combined store and inn), was established by Abraham Vickers in 1799. This was followed by a second ordinary, established by Stacey Taylor in 1804, and later by "Purcel's Store" and Post Office, established by Valentine Vernon Purcell (from whom the town's name is derived). A blacksmith's shop, established around 1848, was also among the Purcellville's earliest businesses. The first public school was built in 1883. On July 9, 1853 the village officially adopted the name Purcellville and on March 14, 1908 the town was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly <ref>Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.</ref>.
-The Great Road became an authorized turnpike in 1785 and extended the turnpike system westward from Alexandria to Snicker's Gap, and beyond to Berryville and Winchester.2 With the construction of this Turnpike in 1832, travel through Purcellville began to increase—the first stagecoach arrived in 1841. A railroad link was built to Leesburg prior to the Civil War, and travel to points further west were continued by stagecoach through Purcellville. When the railroad was extended to Purcellville in 1874, The Town took Leesburg's place as the beginning of the stage route until the railroad was extended to Round Hill in 1875. (This railroad ceases operation in 1968.)
+The Great Road became an authorized turnpike in 1785 and extended the turnpike system westward from Alexandria to [[Snicker's Gap]], and beyond to [[Berryville, Virginia|Berryville]] and [[Winchester, Virginia|Winchester]]<ref>Pawlett, Nathanial Mason, Historic Roads of Virginia, Virginia Highway Research Council, 1977.</ref>. With the construction of this Turnpike in 1832, travel through Purcellville began to increase ad the first stagecoach arrived in 1841. A railroad on link on the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire line (forerunner to the [[Washington and Old Dominion Railroad]]) connecting the town to Leesburg and points east was built prior to the Civil War, and travel to points further west were continued by stagecoach through Purcellville. When the railroad was extended to Purcellville in 1874, The town took Leesburg's place as the beginning of the stage route until the railroad was extended to Round Hill in 1875.  The railroad ceased operation in 1968 and its right-of-way serves as the [[Washington and Old Dominion Trail]], which has its western terminus in the town.
-Although there were several marches and chases through Purcellville during the Civil War, the town sustained no major damage. However, a series of disastrous fires, the first in 1900 and then two more in 1914, virtually wiped out the business district, depriving the Town of much of its earliest architectural heritage. Despite the fires, many of the old blocks have been rebuilt and the business district has been extended considerably.
+Although both Union and Confederate armies passed through Purcellville during the Civil War, the town witnessed limited fighting with the most notable action  occurring at the skirmish of [[Heaton's Crossroads]].  The town and surrounding area were contained within the area known as Mosby's Confederacy, the main area of operations for Confederate [[partisan (military)|partisan]] [[John S. Mosby]], and the town was pillaged as part of the [[The Burning Raid]] of 1864 in retribution for the area's support of Mosby's command.
-From its very beginning, the Town's dependence upon transportation links to the more populous eastern sections of Northern Virginia has remained strong, and is now more important than ever. Since the Virginia Department of Transportation has widened Route 7 and extended the Toll Road to western Loudoun County, all within the past five years, Purcellville's moderate growth during this period should not be seen as indicative of its future growth. Furthermore, Purcellville's traditional dependence upon agriculture as its primary source of income has diminished as more and more residents are employed outside of the community. The challenge is to accept this change without the Town losing its historic identity and those everyday, small town amenities which have developed over its long history.
+In the 20th century, a series of disastrous fires, the first in 1900 and then two more in 1914, virtually wiped out the business district, depriving the town of what remained of its earliest architectural heritage.  The town's prominent location in the center of the Loudoun Valley and presence of the railroad helped the town to become the major agricultural center of western Loudoun and led to redevelopment and expansion of the business district in the early and mid 20th century.  In the latter 20th century, widening of [[Virginia State Route 7]] has lead to increased suburban development in and around the town and Purcellville's traditional dependence upon agriculture as its primary source of income has since diminished as more and more residents are employed outside of the community
+<ref>Scheel, Eugene M.,The Story of Purcellville, 1983.</ref>.
-Town history is summarized from The Story of Purcellville by Eugene M. Scheel, reprinted in Commemoration of its 75th anniversary 1908-1983.
-Historic Roads of Virginia, Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, Virginia Highway Research Council, 1977.
 ==Geography==

v t e Municipalities and communities of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States
County seat: Leesburg
Towns	Hamilton Hillsboro Leesburg Lovettsville Middleburg Purcellville Round Hill	Map of Virginia highlighting Loudoun County
CDPs	Aldie Arcola Ashburn Belmont Brambleton Broadlands Cascades Countryside Dulles Town Center Goose Creek Village Kincora Lansdowne Loudoun Valley Estates Lowes Island Moorefield Oak Grove One Loudoun South Riding Sterling Stone Ridge Sugarland Run University Center Waterford
Unincorporated communities	Airmont Bloomfield Bluemont Britain Conklin Dover Dulles Elvan Eubanks Georges Mill Gilberts Corner Gleedsville Howardsville Leithtown Lenah Lincoln Little Washington Loudoun Heights Lucketts Mechanicsville Milltown Morrisonville Mount Gilead Mountville Neersville Paeonian Springs Paxson Philomont River Creek Ryan Saint Louis Scattersville Silcott Spring Stewartown Stumptown Taylorstown Telegraph Spring Trapp Unison Watson Waxpool Wheatland Willisville Woodburn
Former	Willard
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