Martinsville, Virginia

History

Martinsville was founded by American Revolutionary War General, Native American agent and explorer Joseph Martin, born in Albemarle County. He developed his plantation Scuffle Hill on the banks of the Smith River near the present-day southern city limits. General Martin and revolutionary patriot Patrick Henry, who lived briefly in Henry County and for whom the county is named, were good friends.

20th century

DuPont in 1941 built a large manufacturing plant for producing textile nylon filament, a vital war material. During the Cold War, the city was identified as a target for strategic bombing by the Soviet Union. This nylon production jump-started the growth of the textiles industry in the area.

In 1947, the paperclip-shaped oval Martinsville Speedway opened. In use by NASCAR since their inaugural season in 1949, it is still in operation by the racing organization today. The speedway is the shortest oval in NASCAR.

For several years Martinsville was known as the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World", and in the 1980s it boasted of having more millionaires per capita than any city in America.

Business leaders in the mid-20th century, like Whitney Shumate, worked to improve sub-standard housing in Martinsville. He helped clear out a portion of Martinsville called "Mill Town", which had sub-standard rental housing originally provided for 19th century employees of a now defunct cotton mill. New homes were constructed in the neighborhood, built with sound materials and with all city services for the first time. What had originally been considered a depressed civic area rapidly became a center of progress as middle class Black residents finally began to prosper. As an editorial in the local newspaper noted, "One of the projects which won him considerable attention and praise was the instigation of the redevelopment of what was once known as Martinsville Cotton Mill Village. He and associates purchased about 50 houses in North Martinsville, and using private capital rather than federal aid, rebuilt them into comfortably inhabitable homes, making it possible for many persons to purchase homes within their financial range."

In the early 1990s, changing global economic conditions and new trade treaties made Martinsville textiles and furniture manufacturing economically unsustainable. Many firms closed shop and laid off thousands of workers; the production moved offshore to other countries. The city is repositioning itself long-term as a center for technology development and manufacturing.

MZM, Inc. opened a facility in Martinsville as part of the Cunningham scandal.

Memorial Hospital of Martinsville (now combined with the hospital in Danville, Virginia to become Sovah Health.) serves the greater Martinsville and Henry County area. The earliest local hospital was the 50-bed Shackelford Hospital, founded by Jesse Martin Shackelford, who was later joined by surgeon son John Armstrong Shackelford, an early graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Founder of the Hospital Association of Virginia, Jesse Shackelford was an early advocate of comprehensive care for state citizens. Shackelford Hospital was sold in 1946, and Martinsville General Hospital subsequently opened with John Shackelford as its first chief surgeon. In 1970 Memorial Hospital of Martinsville opened its doors, replacing Martinsville General.

21st century

In 2008, then Illinois Democratic Senator and 44th President of the United States Barack Obama held a campaign stop in Martinsville.

On January 2, 2013, Kim Adkins was re-elected as mayor.

In August 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam pardoned all 7 African-American men of the Martinsville Seven.

On January 3, 2023, L.C. Jones was elected as new mayor.

Relationship with Henry County

Martinsville's relationship with Henry County is somewhat complex. Martinsville was fully included in Henry County's jurisdiction until it was declared a city by court order in 1928. As with all cities in Virginia, Martinsville's incorporation as a city made it independent from Henry County's jurisdiction. Although Martinsville technically remains the county seat of Henry County, nearby Collinsville serves as the de facto county seat, as it is where the county's primary administrative and judicial offices are located. However, the future of this jurisdictional arrangement became unclear when Martinsville's city council unanimously voted in favor of beginning the process of reverting from a city to a town (which would reincorporate it into the county's jurisdiction) on December 10, 2019, citing economic and demographic concerns. The time frame for this reversion remains unclear, as the city's petition to revert must first be approved by a three-judge panel in the state courts, after which begins a complex process of negotiation with the county over the division of responsibilities. On January 11, 2023, the city council voted to end the reversion process.

The Beaver Creek Plantation,John Waddey Carter House, Dry Bridge School, East Church Street-Starling Avenue Historic District, Fayette Street Historic District, Little Post Office, Martinsville Fish Dam, Martinsville Historic District, Martinsville Novelty Corporation Factory, and Scuffle Hill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.0 sqmi, of which 11.0 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.5%) is water. The north side of the city has the highest average elevation. The east side slopes gradually down to the Smith River on the south side. The west side is hilly. Martinsville is located in the Southern Virginia region near the Virginia–North Carolina state line and is 17 mi northwest of Eden, North Carolina, 30 mi northwest of Danville, 48 mi north of Greensboro, North Carolina. 51 mi south of Roanoke, and 54 mi northeast of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Climate

|Jan record high F = 79 |Feb record high F = 82 |Mar record high F = 89 |Apr record high F = 92 |May record high F = 101 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 104 |Aug record high F = 105 |Sep record high F = 101 |Oct record high F = 95 |Nov record high F = 86 |Dec record high F = 82 |year record high F = 105 |Jan record low F = −7 |Feb record low F = −7 |Mar record low F = -3 |Apr record low F = 18 |May record low F = 26 |Jun record low F = 35 |Jul record low F = 43 |Aug record low F = 41 |Sep record low F = 30 |Oct record low F = 14 |Nov record low F = 5 |Dec record low F = −2 |year record low F = -7 | access-date = July 1, 2021}} | access-date = July 1, 2021}}

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,821 people, 6,498 households, and 4,022 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,407.1 /sqmi. There were 7,249 housing units at an average density of 661.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 48.38% White, 45.45% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.70% of the population.

There were 6,498 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,441, and the median income for a family was $35,321. Males had a median income of $28,530 versus $21,367 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,251. About 14.0% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over. As of August 2010, the city's unemployment rate stood at 20 percent.

Economy

The city's chief industry for many early years was the manufacture of plug chewing tobacco. The Henry County area became known as the "plug tobacco capital of the world". In the wake of the collapse of the plantation economy following the American Civil War, the local economy was reeling. Stepping into the breach were several thriving plug firms which sold their merchandise across the nation beginning in the nineteenth century.

Local families were heavily involved in these companies, bestowing their names on them and reaping sizeable profits until the early twentieth century, when the tobacco monopolies created by R.J. Reynolds and James Buchanan Duke bought out most firms. (In most cases, in bold anti-competitive moves, the two tobacco titans simply shut down their acquisitions overnight. These actions resulted in a U.S. government lawsuit against American Tobacco Company.) Among the earliest of these firms were D.H. Spencer & Sons and Spencer Bros. Other families soon joined in founding other early firms, including the Gravelys, the Comptons, the Ruckers, the Wittens, the Lesters and the Browns.

The city's main industry for a century was furniture construction, and today Virginia furniture makers still reside in the region.

On the retail front, Liberty Fair Mall opened in 1989. In 2014, it was renamed the Village of Martinsville.

On October 28, 2021, it was announced the Colorado-based apparel and footwear company VF Corporation will continue to expand in Martinsville creating 82 new jobs, while investing $10 million into the area. Other companies such as Georgia Pacific, Radial, Inc., Crown Holdings, and Eastman Chemical Company are also located in the area.

Government

Local government

The City of Martinsville operates under a council-manager government. The city council has five members who serve four-year terms. Every two years, the council elects a mayor and vice-mayor from among its members. An appointed city manager controls daily operations and manages the city's activities.

Current council members:

• L.C. Jones, mayor
• Kathy Lawson, vice mayor
• Sands Anderson, city attorney
• Aaron Rawls, council member
• Rayshaun Gravely, council member
• Julian Mei, council member
• Robert Fincher, (interim) city manager

Federal, state and county representation

The city of Martinsville and also Henry County is located in Virginia's 9th congressional district and is currently served by Republican Morgan Griffith. Martinsville is served by one member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Eric Philips (R-48th), and one member of the Virginia Senate, Bill Stanley (R-20th).

Politics

Beginning in the 1990s, Martinsville has consistently supported Democratic presidential candidates. In 2008 Barack Obama performed better in the city than any Democrat since 1944 with over 63% of the vote, and in all but one election since then Democrats have continued to obtain over 60% of the vote.

Transportation

Interstate highways

• (future)

Public transportation

The Piedmont Area Regional Transit (PART) operates and serves the city of Martinsville. Routes include parts of both Martinsville and Henry county.

Air

Martinsville is served by two commercial airports. Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport in Roanoke, and Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Blue Ridge Airport is used for general aviation and is located 9 mi outside the city.

Education

The city is served by Martinsville City Public Schools. There are five public schools in Martinsville:

• Martinsville High School, opened in 1968 and serves roughly 580 students in grades 9–12.
• Martinsville Middle School, originally built as a high school in 1939 and serves roughly 430 students in grades 6–8.
• Albert Harris Elementary School, opened as a high school in 1958 and now serves roughly 490 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is named after Albert Harris, an African-American minister who was a key advocate for the education of local African-American children.
• Patrick Henry Elementary School, opened in 1950 and serves roughly 435 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is named after founding father Patrick Henry.
• Clearview Early Childhood Center, opened as an elementary school in 1954 and now serves roughly 140 students in preschool as part of the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Piedmont Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology is a magnet school serving both 11th & 12th grade students who take advanced courses.

The city is also home to the K-12 private school, Carlisle School. The school serves approximately 400 students, about 130 of them are high school students. The School was established in 1968

Colleges and universities in Martinsville include the New College Institute and Patrick & Henry Community College, where students can also take satellite courses through Old Dominion University.

Religion

Houses of Worship in Martinsville:

• First Baptist Church
• Broad Street Christian Church
• Christ Episcopal Church
• Christ's Church
• First Baptist Church of East Martinsville
• Fayette Street Christian Church
• First UMC Uptown Ministry Center
• First Presbyterian Church
• Refuge Temple Holiness Church
• Galilean House of Worship
• Starling Avenue Baptist Church
• Hope Presbyterian Church
• Temple Baptist Church
• Rich Acres Christian Church
• Woodland Heights Free Will Baptist Church
• Fellowship Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• Mountainview Missionary Baptist Church
• CrossPoint Church

Arts and culture

• Piedmont Arts Association: Established in 1961, this non-profit museum is a museum partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums
• Virginia Museum of Natural History: Established in 1984, non-profit museum affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution

Events and festivals

• Henry County Fair: An annual Fair held every September at the Martinsville Speedway.
• Martinsville Uptown Oktoberfest: An annual family friendly event held in Uptown Martinsville featuring music, crafts, beer gardens, food, and many children's activities.
• Wine by the River Festival
• Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival
• Martinsville Kiwanis Pancake Day: An annual fundraiser for the Kiwanis Youth Foundation that provides scholarships to the youth in the Martinsville-Henry County community

Sports

Martinsville is home to the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Mustangs play at Hooker Field in Martinsville. The Mustangs began play for the league's 2005 season. Martinsville was also home to two Minor league baseball teams, Martinsville Astros and Martinsville Phillies both Class-A affiliates of the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies respectfully.

The Martinsville area is also home to Martinsville Speedway, which opened in 1947. The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series hosts two races there every year while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hosts one race there every year. The speedway also host the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Notable people

• Rabih Abdullah – NFL player
• Buddy Arrington – former NASCAR driver
• John Robert Brown – American politician
• William Fields Carter (1908–1999) — member of the Virginia House of Delegates
• Fred Dove – racing driver
• H. Clay Earles – NASCAR team owner, founder and chairman of Martinsville Speedway
• Greg Gaines – NFL player
• Tony Gravely – UFC fighter
• Clinton Gregory — American singer-songwriter
• Carl Hairston – NFL player
• George Hairston — plantation owner, former sheriff of Henry County, Brigadier General, War of 1812
• Robert Hairston — American politician
• Jeremy O. Harris — actor and playwright
• Patrick Henry — American Founding Father (resided at Leatherwood Plantation, Henry County, outside current city limits)
• Odell Hodge — played college basketball at Old Dominion University and former professional basketball player
• Randy Hundley — former Major League Baseball player & coach
• Todd Hundley — former Major League Baseball player
• Hodgetwins — stand-up comedians
• Magdalen Hsu-Li — American singer-songwriter
• George Hairston Jamerson — brigadier general during World War I
• Kristen-Paige Madonia — novelist and creative writing teacher
• Joseph Martin — American Revolutionary War general, legislator
• Delvin Joyce — NFL player
• Matur Maker — professional basketball player
• Thon Maker — NBA player for Milwaukee Bucks
• J. C. Martin — former MLB player for New York Mets, 1969 World Series champion
• Barry Michaels — American radio personality
• Clyde Minter — racing driver
• Shawn Moore — NFL and Canadian Football League player
• Alison Parker — former journalist and news reporter for WDBJ
• Jesse Penn — Football player
• Jessamine Shumate — Virginia artist
• Whitney Shumate — businessman, civic leader
• Gregory Swanson — practiced law in Martinsville until 1957
• Robert Tuggle — author, director of the archives at the Metropolitan Opera, Grammy-nominated
• Dennis L. Via — former Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)
• Marilyn Tavenner — American politician
• Sonny Wade — Canadian Football League player
• "Sweet Lou" Whitaker — MLB player for Detroit Tigers, 1978 AL Rookie of the Year, 1984 World Series champion
• Kennon C. Whittle — judge, Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
• Stafford G. Whittle — judge, Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
• Red Top Young — American singer-songwriter

Media

Print

• Martinsville Bulletin, Martinsville's daily newspaper serving the city of Martinsville and Henry County, Virginia and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Television

Martinsville is served by television stations in the Roanoke/Lynchburg television market. In addition Martinsville also receive television stations in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point television market.

• WDBJ, CBS affiliate based in Roanoke
• WSLS, NBC affiliate based in Roanoke
• WSET, ABC affiliate based in Lynchburg
• WFXR, Fox affiliate based in Roanoke
• WWCW, Fox affiliate based in Lynchburg
• WZBJ, an Independent station, based in Roanoke, licensed in Danville
• WPXR, ION affiliate based in Roanoke

Radio stations

• WHEE 1370, broadcast station based in Martinsville
• WROV-FM 96.3, commercial FM radio station licensed to Martinsville

Gallery

File:Henry Clay Lester house1.jpg|Home of Henry Clay Lester, early tobacco manufacturer, Main Street, Martinsville. Home burned in the early 1940s File:Courthouse Square Martinsville.jpg|Henry County Courthouse Square, Martinsville, circa 1890. File:JosephMartin.jpg|General Joseph Martin (1740–1808), born Albemarle County, Virginia, died Henry County, Virginia File:Drapers Barber Shop Martinsville.jpg|Staff of Draper's Barber Shop, Franklin Street, Martinsville, 1920. White bowls on floor are spittoons File:Pannill Knitting Company.jpg|Pannill Knitting Company, early Martinsville textile concern founded in 1926 File:Oak Hall Martinsville1.jpg|Oak Hall, home of Col. Pannill Rucker, early Martinsville tobacco manufacturer. Oak Hall burned February 19, 1917 File:Class of 1912 Martinsville High School.jpg|Class of 1912, Martinsville High School

File:Shackelford Hospital.jpg|Shackelford Hospital, founded by Jesse Martin Shackelford, predecessor of Martinsville Memorial Hospital

References

References

1. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. (2007-10-25). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
4. "Martinsville city, Martinsville city, Virginia".
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
6. Yancey, Dwayne. (October 25, 2022). "Something has changed in Henry County, more people are now moving in than moving out".
7. Wyatt, Bill. (September 2, 2022). "Martinsville is growing".
8. [https://books.google.com/books?id=z2VzSg9hfp0C&pg=PA611 ''Virginia: A Guide to the Old Dominion'' (Sixth Printing, 1956). Virginia Writers' Project, Work Projects Administration. p. 611. New York: Oxford University Press]. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
9. Dorsey, Barry. (December 24, 2017). "Looking back on Southside: Three transitions".
10. (September 26, 2019). "Local author explores Martinsville, Henry County history through a new lens".
11. (August 27, 1996). "DuPont To Shut Area Nylon Plant; 600 People Will Lose Jobs By '98".
12. Shearer, John. (July 20, 2008). "Remembering When The DuPont Plant Opened 60 Years Ago".
13. Jensen, Tom. (April 5, 2022). "Martinsville Speedway Turns 75".
14. Derks, Scott. Working Americans, 1880-1999: Sports & recreation, 2000, page 426.
15. Hietala, Callie. (March 25, 2022). "Martinsville's textile heritage celebrated at Founders Day".
16. Young, Denise. (July 2, 2022). "Organizing the South's 'Sweatshirt Capital'".
17. Martinsville Bulletin. March 3, 1966. "City Loses Citizen who Helped Make it a Better Community."
18. [http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/henry/henry1.html "Threadbare: The Unravelling of Henry County"] {{webarchive. link. (September 11, 2012 , ''The Roanoke Times'', 17 August 2002. (August 17, 2002). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.)
19. Rozen, Laura. (January 13, 2006). "'Duke' Of Deception". CBS News.
20. Pincus, Walter. (August 1, 2006). "Pentagon To Scrap Site Connected To Scandal Rep. Goode's Earmark Led to Contract Award". [[The Washington Post]].
21. (February 3, 2017). "Sovah Health – Martinsville". Sovah Health.
22. {{usurped
23. {{usurped
24. {{usurped
25. link. (August 29, 2009 . Martinsvillehospital.org. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.)
26. Meola, Olympia. (August 17, 2008). "Obama to visit Martinsville with Warner".
27. Sluss, Michael. (June 7, 2019). "Economy key during Barack Obama's Virginia trip".
28. (January 2, 2013). "Breaking News: Adkins, Teague elected by city council".
29. Schneider, Gregory. (August 31, 2021). "Northam grants posthumous pardons to the Martinsville Seven, Black men executed in 1951 for rape". [[The Washington Post]].
30. Vigdor, Neil. (August 31, 2021). "70 Years after being executed for rape, 7 Black Men are pardoned in Virginia".
31. Sgueglia, Kristina. (September 2, 2021). "7 Black men were executed for an alleged rape in 1951, Now they've been pardoned".
32. Oliver, Maddy. (January 5, 2023). "Jones, Rawls elected as mayor and vice mayor".
33. (19 December 2016). "The Hornbook of Virginia History: Cities of Virginia". Library of Virginia.
34. "Martinsville Reversion".
35. Dwyer, Shayne. (11 December 2019). "After Nearly 70 Years in the Making, City of Martinsville Begins Process of Reversion to Town Status".
36. Crews, Daniel. (October 15, 2021). "Martinsville's reversion to town moves forward following commission's recommendation".
37. Frolo, Caitlyn. (January 11, 2023). "We kept dumping money into a pit: Martinsville Council votes to end reversion process".
38. Graham, Alli. (January 11, 2023). "City of Martinsville votes to end reversion process".
39. "Beaver Creek, Henry County, Virginia".
40. "The Grey Lady – Virginia is For Lovers".
41. Thomas, Will. (October 2, 2021). "Dry Bridge School State Historical Marker unveiled in Martinsville".
42. Kozelsky, Holly. (September 4, 2022). "Area houses recognized as historically significant".
43. Kozelsky, Holly. (May 3, 2015). "Come, visit the Historic Little Post Office".
44. "Martinsville Fish Dam on Smith River – Virginia Is For Lovers".
45. Kozelsky, Holly. (February 28, 2019). "Martinsville eyesore may get a new look".
46. {{NRISref
47. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
48. "Distance between Eden, NC and Martinsville, VA".
49. "Distance between Danville, VA and Martinsville, VA".
50. "Distance between Greensboro, NC and Martinsville, VA".
51. "Distance between Roanoke, VA and Martinsville, VA".
52. "Distance between Winston-Salem, NC and Martinsville, VA".
53. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790". [[US Census Bureau]].
54. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
55. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
56. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
57. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) -Martinsville city, Virginia".
58. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Martinsville city, Virginia".
59. (April 1, 2010). "QuickFacts Martinsville city, Virginia April 1 2010".
60. (August 26, 2010). "To Help or Not to Help". The Economist.
61. Rucker, Steve. (May 15, 2016). "The Tobacco Industry in the City of Martinsville and Henry County".
62. Morris, Bill. (July 1, 1995). "Family/ The American Tobacco Company".
63. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VmICAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA14 ''The Tobacco Worker,'' Tobacco Workers International Union, 1907]. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
64. [https://books.google.com/books?id=2uiy9-hSHzIC&pg=PA221 Federal Anti-trust Decisions, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1917]. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
65. "Furniture Heritage".
66. Powell, Mickey. (January 6, 2017). "Martinsville mall doesn't include Sears building".
67. Lambertsen, Kirsten. (November 22, 2014). "Liberty Fair Mall gets new look and name".
68. Thomas, Pat. (October 28, 2021). "82 new jobs planned as apparel company expands in Martinsville".
69. "Our Locations – Virginia". [[Georgia Pacific]].
70. "Eastman Performance Films, LLC Martinsville, VA USA". [[Eastman Chemical Company.
71. "Radial Locations".
72. (January 28, 2021). "Crown Holdings To Build New Beverage Can Plant in Henry County, Virginia".
73. Stanbridge, Alexia. (October 27, 2023). "Radial in Martinsville is looking for 400 seasonal employees".
74. "Martinsville, VA Official Website".
75. "City Council".
76. (December 5, 2022). "Virginia Ninth Congressional District Election Results".
77. "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings".
78. "Senate of Virginia".
79. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
80. "Bus System (P.A.R.T.)".
81. "Transportation".
82. "About Us – Blue Ridge Regional Airport".
83. "Martinsville City Public Schools – Official Website". martinsville.k12.va.us.
84. "About".
85. "About".
86. "About".
87. "About".
88. "About".
89. "Piedmont Governors School Homepage".
90. "Carlisle School Homepage".
91. "History of Carlisle School: Celebrating 54 years of Excellence in Education".
92. "About NCI".
93. "About us – Patrick Henry Community College".
94. "Who We Are".
95. "About BSC".
96. "The History of Christ Church".
97. "Christ's Church – Martinsville, Virginia".
98. "First Baptist Church of East Martinsville Homepage".
99. "Welcome to Fayette Street Christian Church".
100. "History of First United Methodist Church of Martinsville".
101. "About Us – First Presbyterian Church".
102. "Refuge Temple Holiness Church Facebook homepage".
103. "Galilean House of Worship – GHOW – Martinsville VA".
104. "Starling Avenue Baptist Church Homepage".
105. "Welcome to Hope Presbyterian Church".
106. "History of Temple Baptist Church".
107. "Rich Acres Christian Church webpage".
108. "Woodland Heights Free Will Baptist Church Homepage".
109. "Fellowship Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Homepage: Welcome to Fellowship".
110. "Mountainview Missionary Baptist Church: Welcome to the Mountain View Nation".
111. "CrossPoint Church: Homepage".
112. "About Piedmont Arts Association". www.piedmontarts.org.
113. Wyatt, Bill. (October 31, 2023). "Winter programs begin at Piedmont Arts".
114. "The Official website of the Virginia Museum of Natural History".
115. "Henry County VA Fair Homepage".
116. McMiller, Itinease. (October 4, 2019). "Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, sausage, and crafts in Martinsville".
117. Kozelsky, Holly. (October 5, 2019). "Oktoberfest in Martinsville is a little bit of everything for a whole bunch of everyone".
118. "Wine by the River – Wine Festival".
119. "Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival Homepage".
120. Anstaett, Colter. (October 12, 2017). "Pancakes being served all day in Martinsville".
121. "The official website of the Martinsville Mustangs".
122. "About Hooker Field".
123. (October 22, 2019). "Martinsville Astros".
124. Cooper, Cara. (July 21, 2023). "Martinsville's Bad Phillies team leads to Hall of Fame".
125. Cooper, Cara. (April 11, 2020). "Let's take a look at the Martinsville Phillies most successful players".
126. "About the Speedway". www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
127. Lambert, Paul. (March 30, 2021). "Modifieds bring history back with return to Martinsville".
128. "Rabih Abdullah". Pro-Football-Reference.Com.
129. Buchanan, Rob. (May 20, 1985). "Buddy Arrington Has Never Won A Grand National But He's No Loser".
130. "John Robert Brown Biography".
131. (1999-04-05). "Carter". Martinsville Bulletin.
132. Long, Dustin. (November 16, 1999). "Martinsville Track Owner Earles Dies/ H. Clay Earles, One of the Earliest Supporters of Stock Car Racing and the Founder of The Martinsville Speedway, Passes Away at Age 86".
133. "Greg Gaines". Pro-Football-Reference.Com.
134. Davis, Kendall. (August 6, 2019). "Local fighter Tony Gravely ready to fight for spot in UFC".
135. (December 26, 2019). "Tony Gravely Bio".
136. "Carl Hairston". Pro-Football Reference.Com.
137. Klingaman, Mike. (September 15, 2017). "Catching up with former UMES and NFL star Carl Hairston".
138. "George Hairston".
139. "Robert Hairston".
140. Kumar, Naveen. (November 28, 2018). "A Playwright Who Won't let Anyone Off the Hook".
141. "Patrick Henry". [[The History Channel]].
142. "Odell Hodge".
143. (July 25, 2006). "Star Track: Odell Hodge".
144. Miller, Ed. (November 27, 1997). "What In The World Is Odell Hodge Doing In Istanbul? Former ODU Star Adjusts To Basketball European-Style".
145. "Randy Hundley".
146. Yellon, Al. (December 18, 2006). "The Top 100 Cubs of All Time – #64 Randy Hundley".
147. "Todd Hundley".
148. Edes, Gordon. (March 8, 1992). "Hand-Me-Down Now A Prize Catch".
149. "Todd Hundley Stats, Fantasy & News". [[MLB Advanced Media]].
150. Kozelsky, Holly. (May 3, 2019). "Two Martinsville-area children injured in a road-rage shooting last month are gaining worldwide support inspired by the famous Hodgetwins".
151. "Magdalen Hsu-Li Biography". [[University of Washington]].
152. Kozelsky, Holly. (May 20, 2016). "Madonia crosses genres in latest book".
153. Powell, Mickey. (June 29, 2008). "Monument placed in Martin's honor".
154. "Delvin Joyce". Pro-Football-Reference.Com.
155. Collins, Paul. (February 19, 2017). "Residents encouraged to pursue their dreams at NAACP ceremony".
156. Halley, Jim. (April 17, 2015). "Jordan Brand Classic: Mature Maker a big part of brother Thon's possible reclassification decision".
157. "Ceiling high for 7-foot 1 NBA draft prospect Thon Maker". www.roanoke.com.
158. Hamlet, Harrison. (June 25, 2016). "Meeting the Maker: How one moment changed basketball".
159. Armas, Genaro. (June 24, 2016). "Thon Maker taken No.10 by Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Draft".
160. Garfield, Ken. (October 17, 2019). "50 years removed from Mets' improbable World Series, J.C. Martin still has the bunt".
161. Filmore, Andy. (June 26, 2014). "Wind FM's Barry Michaels has taken his VW Bug all over this land".
162. "Clyde Minter".
163. Gildea, William. (September 28, 1990). "Really, These Moore's are the most". [[The Washington Post]].
164. "Shawn Moore". Pro-Football-Reference.Com.
165. (August 27, 2015). "Martinsville community remembers their little angel; slain WDBJ reporter Alison Parker".
166. Vinograd, Cassandra. (August 26, 2015). "WDBJ7 Reporter Alison Parker, Photographer Adam Ward Killed on Live TV".
167. Kozelsky, Holly. (April 1, 2020). "Martinsville native Nancy Redd writes 'Bedtime Bonet' to share black culture, style, and heritage with children".
168. Winston, Eliza. (September 21, 2010). "Philpot Dam construction paintings given to center".
169. "Whitney Shumate – Martinsville and Henry County VA".
170. Williamson, Eric. (April 9, 2018). "The Long Walk: What Life Was Like for Gregory Swanson, the Lawyer Who Integrated UVA". [[University of Virginia]].
171. Roberts, Sam. (January 27, 2016). "Robert Tuggle, Longtime Archivist of the Metropolitan Opera, Dies at 83".
172. (August 8, 2016). "Meet your Army: Gen. Dennis L. Via, Army Materiel Command". [[United States Army]].
173. Pear, Robert. (July 15, 2015). "Head of Obama's Health Care Rollout to Lobby for Insurers".
174. "Jesse "Sonny" Wade". Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
175. Cooper, Cara. (November 11, 2019). "If that day comes, Martinsville is welcome: Lou Whitaker benefiting from second look at his baseball career".
176. Stavenhagen, Cody. (December 5, 2019). "Lou Whitaker's Hall of Fame dreams start and end with a little town in Virginia".
177. "Lou Whitaker Stats, Fantasy & News". [[MLB Advanced Media]].
178. (May 2, 2014). "Kennon Caithness Whittle, March 14, 1951-February 1, 1965".
179. "Our History: Featured Alumni/ae: Whittle, Stafford G., 1871". [[University of Virginia]].
180. "Martinsville Bulletin Homepage".
181. "WDBJ: Virginia Local News, Weather and Sports".
182. "Martinsville – WSLS 10".
183. "WSET: Lynchburg News, Weather, Sports and More".
184. "WFXR News Homepage".
185. "WWCW – Nexstar Media Group, Inc".
186. (June 10, 2020). "WZBJ24 – WDBJ".
187. "WHEE – The Talk of the Town".
188. "96.3 ROV – The Rock of Virginia – Roanoke/Lynchburg's Home for Classic Rock".
189. "General Joseph Martin".
190. (July 10, 2015). "Draper's Barber Shop In the 1920's".
191. (June 20, 1988). "Sara Lee Corp Plans To Buy Stock In Pannill Knitting Co". [[The Washington Post]].
192. Tuck, Alyson. (July 27, 2017). "A Legacy of Success". [[North Carolina State University]].
193. (October 8, 2009). "The Doctors Shackelford and Shackelford Hospital".