With a storied history as the place where the nation reunited, tourism is a centerpiece of Appomattox County’s economy.
History and Tourism
Featuring a village of original and reconstructed buildings, as well as 1,800 acres of rolling hills surrounding the Battle of Appomattox Court House, the Appomattox County Courthouse Historical Park brings history to life. Established in 1935, the park contains the Wilmer McLean House where General Robert E. Lee made his formal surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
A scenic, wooded trail winding 4.5 miles through the park is near the Sweeney Prizery, the oldest building on the grounds, and takes visitors across creeks as it runs along the Appomattox River.
Virginia’s National Battlefield Parks was ranked No. 7 on the Best Things to Do and See in Virginia list by Tripsavvy.com
The American Civil War Museum records the closing days of the war through 400 artifacts, photographs and documents. The museum’s “When Johnny Came Marching Home” exhibition uses the museum’s collection of objects, photographs, and documents to tell the story of Confederate veterans in the postwar South.
The Carver Price Legacy Museum details Appomattox’s journey from Civil War to Civil Rights.
The Museum of the Confederacy in the town of Appomattox showcases Civil War artifacts, as well as photos, letters, and diaries from the era.
Appomattox County Historical Museum and Library, the former Appomattox city jail, offers tours and displays of Civil War artifacts. Outside, a Memorial Park honors those Americans who died in conflicts from Civil War to Vietnam. Nearby is the Clover Hill Village Museum.
The Carver Price Legacy Museum details Appomattox’s journey from civil war to civil rights. The Museum of the Confederacy in the town of Appomattox showcases Civil War artifacts, as well as photos, letters, and diaries.
Appomattox County Historical Museum and Library, the former Appomattox city jail, offers tours and displays of Civil War artifacts. Outside is Memorial Park that honors the dead from the Civil War to Vietnam. Nearby is the Clover Hill Village Museum.
Education
There are four public schools and three private schools in Appomattox County. Two
of the Region’s Teachers of the Year have been from Appomattox.
Theater
Wolfbane Productions provides visitors and residents alike with Broadway-style outdoor entertainment. As company of passionate artists, Wolfbane provides unique theater through unconventionally engaging theatrical works—two of which are performed at the historic park. The company also hosts a ghost tour at the Old Crawford Farm, named the most haunted location in Virginia and listed in the top 25 most haunted in the nation.
Outdoor Recreation
Cozy accommodations in a bed and breakfast, or hotel or campground, set up visitors to enjoy golfing, hiking, biking or a day tasting wine or visiting a charming lavender farm.
For a bit more of a rush, whitewater rafting and canoeing excursions are popular adventures on the Appomattox River, a tributary of the James River.
Holliday Lake State Park is teeming with largemouth bass, yellow perch, crappie, and bluegill ready to be caught. The 150-acre lake also features a guarded beach. The park has several hiking trails, including a connector trail to the 10.2-mile Carter Taylor Multi-Use Trail for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. Campgrounds, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a “Critter Hole” play area, seasonal concession stand, gift shop, and boat ramp are all on-hand. Canoes, kayaks, jon boats, stand-up paddleboards, and paddle boats are available to rent.
Visitors enjoy golfing, hiking, biking as well as a visit to a charming lavender farm. Good food and Virginia wine conclude a fun-filled day in Appomattox. Bed and breakfasts, hotels, and campgrounds provide comfortable accommodations.
Festivals and Annual Events
The Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival, held the second full weekend in October, is a family-friendly festival commemorating the Norfolk & Western Railroad’s donation of the Appomattox Depot to the Town of Appomattox.
The Clover Hill Village Wine Festival and the Appomattox Oyster and Seafood Festival offer local food, wines, craft beer, and live music.
Local artisans put their works on display at the Appomattox Vintage and Artisan Spring Market.
Throughout the spring and summer, Appomattox Friday Cheerz offers live entertainment in the park with food and drinks available.
The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and the American Civil War Museum each year offer visitors the opportunity to observe demonstrations and participate in other programs to commemorate the end of the Civil War.
Quality of Life
Appomattox enjoys a relatively low cost of living, and public and private schools that provide innovative educational opportunities.
Industry flourishes in the county with companies such as Tritech Solutions and Virginia Metal Fab, which offer the local, skilled workforce opportunities to shine in a high-production environment.
Major Employers:
NON-MANUFACTURING
Penelope Jewelry Corporate Headquarters (Jewelry & Fashion)
MANUFACTURING
J.E. Jameson & Sons (Construction/Building Supplies)
Stallworks/VA Metal Fabrication (Metal Fabrication)
Moore’s Machine Shop (Metal Fabrication)
Craneworks (Crane Design/Engineering)
Martin Printwear (Screen Printing and Signs)
Appomattox County
www.appomattoxcountyva.gov
Population 15,414
Median Age 44
Area (in square miles) 334
Median Household Income $59,252
Median Home Value $149,600
Total Household Units 7,152
Real Estate (per $100) $0.65
Personal Property Tax Rate (per $100) $3.35
Commissioner of the Revenue (434) 352-7450
Public Schools (434) 352-8251
Library: J Robert Jamerson
Memorial Library (434) 352-5340
Post Office (434) 352-7026
Emergency/ Police/ Fire 911
Sheriff (434) 352-2666
Electricity 1-800-956-4237
Water, Sewer, Trash (Town) (434) 352-8184
Voting (434) 352-5302
Licenses:
• Automobile (804) 497-7100
• Appomattox DMV Select (434) 352-5547
(Does not issue licenses, learners
or identification cards)
Town of Appomattox
www.townofappomattox.com
Population 1,933
Median Age 44
Area (in square miles) 2.18
Median Household Income $32,585
Median Home Value $121,426
Total Household Units 962
Real Estate (per $100) $0.13
Personal Property Tax Rate (per $100) $0.55
Administrators Office (434) 352-8268
Emergency 911
Water/Other emergencies (evening) (434) 352-8393
Trash (434) 352-8268
Leave a Reply