September Rivah Visitor's Guide - The Rappahannock Record

Richmond County
History
Known as the Gateway to the Northern
Neck, Richmond County was established
in 1692 from the old Rappahannock
County.
Originally explored by Captain
John Smith in 1607–1608, the county
was settled in 1640 when people
migrated up from settlements below the
Rappahannock River. It was presumably
named after the First Duke of Richmond,
cousin to both King William III and Queen
Mary. One of the early settlers was Colonel
Moore Fauntleroy, who patented land
in the county in 1650.
The first county seat was thought to be
at the mouth of Little Carter’s Creek, then
moved to Naylors, an early river settlement.
The seat moved inland in 1730 and
renamed the Richmond County Courthouse.
In 1831, the name was changed
to Warsaw in sympathy with the Polish
struggle for independence. Warsaw was
incorporated as the county’s only town in
1947.
The Downing Bridge was built
across the Rappahannock River in
1927, connecting Richmond County
to Essex and opening up travel to and
from the Northern Neck. The bridge
replaced 200 years of ferry service
and was dedicated by Sen. Thomas
Downing of the Northern Neck.
Richmond County was home of the
last president elected under the Articles
of Confederation. In 1788, Judge Cyrus
Griffin was elected president of the U.S.
Congress Assembly and held that position
until the U.S. Constitution was adopted
and his successor, George Washington,
was elected as the first President of the
U. S.
William A. Jones gained recognition
for Richmond County in 1916 when,
in supporting self-government for all
people, he authorized a bill that guaranteed
independence for the Philippines.
In 1926, the people of the Philippines
erected a memorial at Jones’ gravesite
in the St. John’s Episcopal Churchyard in
Warsaw.
Today Richmond County has a population
of 9,300. Serving as the crossroads
of U.S. Route 360 and State Route 3, the
county seat of Warsaw is currently the
headquarters for many regional government
agencies as well as a community
college, vocational center and regional
jail.
Government
The Richmond County seat is at 101
Court Circle in Warsaw. 333-3415. www.
co.richmond.va.us. Richmond County
Hutt Produce near Warsaw is a roadside stand offering fresh vegetables and
fruit.
has one incorporated town, Warsaw. The
sheriff’s office can be reached at 333-
3611.
Libraries
The Richmond County Public Library is
at 52 Campus Dr. in Warsaw. 333-3025.
For Visitors
The Richmond County Museum and
Visitors Center is open Wed. - Sun. and
is at 5874 Richmond Rd. in Warsaw. 333-
3607
Don’t Miss
s Rappahannock River Valley National
Wildlife Refuge recently opened Laurel
Grove Pond for fishing. The pond will be
accessible by canoe, kayak, small handlaunchable
boats or bank fishing from
the dam. The tract is off Laurel Grove
Road in Richmond County. For a map
and site-specific regulations, , visit fws.
gov/northeast/rappahannock/hunting.
html.
Westmoreland County
A couple enjoys the summer’s end on Colonial Beach.
History
Established in 1653 by the colonial government
in Jamestown, Westmoreland
County was named for a British shire. The
county’s most significant contributions to
history include its fostering of more statesmen
than any other county in the country,
and for the Leedstown Resolutions.
62
Considered the forerunner of the Declaration
of Independence, the Leedstown
Resolutions were signed in February,
1766. Prepared by Richard Henry Lee, the
document was signed by 115 patriots who
bound themselves together “To Prevent
The Execution of The Stamp Act.”
Stratford Hall was the boyhood home
of Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot
Lee, signers of the Declaration of Independence.
General Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee
was a Revolutionary War hero and served as
one of General George Washington’s most
trusted officers. He is the father of Robert
E. Lee.
General Robert E. Lee was born in 1807
at Stratford Hall. Lee was a colonel in the
U. S. Army when the Civil War broke out.
Offered the command of the Union Army,
Lee declined because he “could take no
part in an invasion” of his homeland.
Most notable among the statesmen of
Westmoreland, George Washington was
born at Popes Creek in 1732.
James Monroe, the nation’s fifth president,
was born in 1758 on a farm near
Monroe Bay.
Today, Westmoreland has a population
of 16,700 and is home to the only off-track
betting casino in the area. Fishing and agriculture
are still the area’s mainstays, with
wineries, produce farms and seafood packers
among some of the most prominent
businesses in the county.
Government
The Westmoreland County offices are at
111 Polk St. in Montross. 493-0130. westmoreland-county.org.
Westmoreland has
two towns, Colonial Beach and Montross.
The sheriff’s office can be reached 493-
8066.
Libraries
Abraham and William I. Cooper Memorial
Branch is at 18 Washington Ave. in Colonial
Beach. 224-0921. Montross Branch is at
56 Polk St. in Montross. 493-8194. Blake
T. Newton Memorial Branch is at 22 Coles
Point Rd. in Hague. 472-3820.
For Visitors
The Westmoreland County Visitors
Center is in the county museum and library
at 43 Court Square, Montross. 493-8440.
Virginia’s Potomac Gateway Welcome
Center is on Rt. 301 at the Potomac River
Bridge. (540) 663-3205.
Don’t Miss
s Sept. 17––Kinsale Day will feature
artists, crafters and other exhibitors as
early as 8:30 a.m. on the Green or in the
park. Lunch and other family-oriented
fun activities will follow, including the
Rubber Duckie Derby.