Richmond County History Known as the Gateway to the Northern Neck, Richmond County was established in 1692 from the old <strong>Rappahannock</strong> County. Originally explored by Captain John Smith in 1607–1608, the county was settled in 1640 when people migrated up from settlements below the <strong>Rappahannock</strong> 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. <strong>The</strong> first county seat was thought to be at the mouth of Little Carter’s Creek, then moved to Naylors, an early river settlement. <strong>The</strong> 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. <strong>The</strong> Downing Bridge was built across the <strong>Rappahannock</strong> River in 1927, connecting Richmond County to Essex and opening up travel to and from the Northern Neck. <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>The</strong> 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. <strong>The</strong> sheriff’s office can be reached at 333- 3611. Libraries <strong>The</strong> Richmond County Public Library is at 52 Campus Dr. in Warsaw. 333-3025. For Visitors <strong>The</strong> Richmond County Museum and Visitors Center is open Wed. - Sun. and is at 5874 Richmond Rd. in Warsaw. 333- 3607 Don’t Miss s <strong>Rappahannock</strong> River Valley National Wildlife Refuge recently opened Laurel Grove Pond for fishing. <strong>The</strong> pond will be accessible by canoe, kayak, small handlaunchable boats or bank fishing from the dam. <strong>The</strong> 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. <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>The</strong> Execution of <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>The</strong> Westmoreland County offices are at 111 Polk St. in Montross. 493-0130. westmoreland-county.org. Westmoreland has two towns, Colonial Beach and Montross. <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>The</strong> 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.
Re/Max Waterfront Realty 79 South Main Street TERRI GROH Broker Associate Cranes Creek 5’ MLW 6’ MLW Bay Wicomico Church 125 Halls Farm Road $1,185,000 14 Tides Point Lane Indian Creek $1,450,000 REEDVILLE 843 Chesapeake Beach Road, $850,000 9’ MLW Boat Slip Available 401 Highbank Road White Stone $699,000 Possible Owner Financing WHITE STONE Bellows Landing Lot #8 $595,000 LANCASTER 931 Laurel Point Rd $397,000 Slip Brown’s Creek Taylors Creek Water Access WEEMS 251 Grand Villa $324,500 MOTIVATED! WEEMS 263 Quarters Cove Road $269,000 Community Boat Ramp LANCASTER BEWDLEY ROAD <strong>Rappahannock</strong> River 2 Lots, Each $225,000 Sale or Lease Marina Nearby Water Access WHITE STONE 261 Beach Road $184,000 KILMARNOCK 17 Chase Street $158,500 16 Apache Trail Indian Creek Estates $118,000 www.northernneckvarealestate.net go to website for virtual tours and more MLS listings
Change language