Chesterfield County Central Water System

Chesterfield County Central Water System Municipal Water Report Info

Campbell County, established in 1736 and formally organized in 1781, is nestled in Virginia's south central Piedmont region at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area combines natural beauty with rich historical significance.

Named after Revolutionary War hero General William Campbell, who led forces to victory against Tories and Loyalists at the Battle of King's Mountain, the county saw its first settlers when Scotch-Irish Presbyterians formed the Hat Creek community in the late 1730s. Additional settlements quickly developed near Flat Creek/Otter River and Concord.

In 1757, John Lynch established a ferry service across the James River, around which Lynchburg later developed. Meanwhile, his brother Charles developed Green Level (now Avoca) in present-day Altavista. Lynchburg was formally created from Campbell County land in 1786.

The county seat of Rustburg was established on fifty acres donated by Jeremiah Rust in 1784. Brookneal, a busy trail intersection on the Staunton River, was founded in 1802, while Altavista was planned in 1907 by entrepreneurs recognizing its strategic railroad location.

Patrick Henry, after his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech and five terms as Virginia's governor, moved to Campbell County in 1792, first to Long Island and later to Red Hill Plantation, which he called "the garden spot of the world." Henry died on June 6, 1799, and was buried at his beloved Red Hill, which still maintains its colonial-era appearance and charm nearly 200 years later.

The county's early economy centered on tobacco, with Brookneal serving as an important market due to its location on the Staunton River. Beyond agriculture, manufacturing has supported Campbell County since its earliest days, with Oxford Iron Works operating even before the Revolutionary War. The final furnace, which closed in 1875, still stands as testament to the county's early industrial activity.

Campbell County has evolved with changing times while maintaining connections to its historical roots, offering residents and visitors a compelling blend of history, natural beauty, culture, and economic opportunity as it moves forward in the 21st century.