Altavista, Virginia

History

Colonial Period

Pre-colonial

Prior to the colonization of Virginia, the area around what would be Altavista was inhabited by the native Saponi people, in a tribal town that was called "Sapon Town", near what is now the Staunton River. The Saponi cleared out large networks of paths through the forests to connect their villages, inadvertently enabling colonists to come through the area with ease. The more hostile Occaneechi people were also present in the area, and killed some of the first colonizers in the area. Cherokee and Iroquois people also came through the area.

Founding

In 1905, John and Henry Lane's firm, The Lane Brothers Construction Company, had been awarded a contract to build 51 kilometers of railroad between Leesville and The Mansion for the Tidewater Railway Company, which was incorporated by William Nelson Page and Henry Huttleston Rogers. This railroad would also intersect the Southern Railway.

Recognizing the excellent location for a new town, the Lane Company bought 2000 acres of land around the intersection and started planning a town named Lane's Siding. On September 9, 1907, the first settlers arrived to the town of Lane's Siding in a small red caboose. A firsthand account of the early settlement of the town was written by Mrs. E. G. Fitzgerald:

In September 1912, the town of Altavista had been incorporated

Lane Home Furnishings

In March 1912, John Edward Lane had bought a small box company which had gone bankrupt in an auction for $500, and put his son Edward Hudson Lane in charge of the facility even though he had no experience in the field. Because of how uncertain this new venture was, it was simply incorporated as the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company.

During World War I, the company was contracted to build ammunition boxes for the military. To meet demand, an "efficient assembly system" was introduced at the factory. Although the war was a setback for the company, they were able to sustain itself with capital from the Peoples Bank of Charlottesville, and after the war, they enjoyed great success mass-producing cedar chests. In 1922, the company was renamed to The Lane Company. The company expanded to television cabinets, tables, bedroom furniture, and recliners throughout the mid-20th century.

The Lane Company was most famous for their Lane cedar chests made at the original plant in Altavista.{{cite book

Historic sites

The Avoca Museum and Altavista Downtown Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Government

The current mayor of Altavista is Mike Mattox, a former teacher and local businessman; the Vice-Mayor is Reggie Bennett. There are five elected members of the Town Council.

Geography

Altavista is located in southwestern Campbell County at (37.117622, −79.289632). It is bordered to the south by the Roanoke River, which forms the boundary with Pittsylvania County. The town of Hurt is directly to the south across the river.

U.S. Route 29, a four-lane expressway, forms the northern border of the town and provides access from four exits. US 29 leads north 25 mi to Lynchburg and south 43 mi to Danville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Altavista has a total area of 13.0 sqkm, of which 12.7 sqkm is land and 0.3 sqkm, or 2.24%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,425 people, 1,502 households, and 940 families residing in the town. The population density was 699.9 /mi2. There were 1,650 housing units at an average density of 337.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 74.25% White, 24.55% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 1,502 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,818, and the median income for a family was $40,039. Males had a median income of $32,017 versus $22,140 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,997. About 13.6% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The public schools are operated by Campbell County Public Schools.

Altavista High School Team State Championships

Sports teams from Altavista High School have won several state championships in recent years.

• Boys Basketball 2015 1A, Defeated Honaker Tigers 57–44
• Football 2014 1A, Defeated Essex Trojans 22–20
• Boys Basketball 2014 1A, Defeated Radford Bobcats 49–44
• Football 2013 1A, Defeated Essex Trojans 21–0
• Boys Basketball 2013 Group A, Division 1, Defeated West Point Pointers 80–62
• Boys Cross Country 2010 Group A
• Football 2009 Group A, Division 1, Defeated J.I. Burton Raiders 27–7
• Girls Softball 2009 Group A, Defeated Glenvar Highlanders 7–1
• Girls Basketball 2004 Single A, Defeated Radford Bobcats 50–39
• Boys Basketball 2004 Single A, Defeated Riverheads 54–37
• Girls Volleyball 2002 Single A

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Altavista has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Notable person

• Juan Thornhill, NFL safety

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
4. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Altavista town, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder.
5. Popek, Diane. (1984). "TRACKS Along the Staunton: A History of Leesville, Lynch Station, Hurt, & Altavista". Altavista Printing Company.
6. 'Founding of Altavista', Staunton River Memorial Library
7. Carpenter, Robert. (2007). "A Pictorial History of Altavista, Virginia (1907-2007)". The Altavista Town Council.
8. Fitzgerald, E. G., "Altavista''",'' 1957 (''The Altavista Journal, 10/20/1982)''
9. (October 23, 1909). "Unique Altavista A Remarkable Town". The Altavista Journal.
10. (1936). "Charter".
11. "Lane Cedar Chest".
12. "Lane Company History {{!}} Lane Cedar Box.com".
13. {{NRISref
14. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. (May 24, 2020). "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
17. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=661044&cityname=AltaVista%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Altavista, Virginia]