• Close to Everything
• Historical Presence
• Deep Roots and Tall Trees
• Governing Bodies
• Local Taxes
• Economy & Employment
• A Comfortable Place to Call Home
• Time for Fun
• Arts and Entertainment
• An A+ for Education
• A Healthy Outlook
• Communications
• Utilities

Powhatan is conveniently located in the Central Piedmont region of Virginia, between the James and the Appomattox Rivers. From here it is no more than a couple hours drive to the Blue Ridge mountains, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Washington D.C. or the ocean at Virginia Beach. Just minutes off Route 60 west of Richmond, Powhatan is within easy reach of Route 288, the state capital’s “Outer Belt.” Route 522 (north-south) provides access to U.S. 60 and Interstate 64, conveniently leading to points east and west. I 95 north to Washington D.C. and the eastern Seaboard, and I 85 south to Raleigh and Atlanta all connect in nearby Richmond.

Air passengers have plenty of options as well. Nearby Richmond International Airport is modern and well equipped, with direct service to many locations, and connecting flights to destinations worldwide. Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport, both servicing the Washington D.C. area, are true gateways to the world. Central Virginia is linked to the worldwide business economy by excellent air and water cargo shipping options. Richmond’s airport has one of the fastest growing air cargo facilities in the nation, and is served by all the large air-cargo carriers, including FedEx, UPS and Airborne Express/DHL. Chesterfield County Airport, located 12 miles south of Richmond, is a general aviation airport servicing business and recreational flyers.

The Richmond Deepwater Terminal, located nearby on the James River, provides convenient shipping. The Port of Hampton Roads, 130 miles southeast has the world’s largest natural deep-water harbors and is one of the leading shipping ports on the Atlantic Seaboard. More than 75 shipping lines sail into Hampton Roads, with cargo going to more than 330 ports of call throughout the world.

Rail freight is linked throughout the country through Norfolk-Southern Railway System.

First discovered by European explorers in the early 1600’s, officially declared a county by Virginia’s Governor Patrick Henry in the Revolutionary War era, named for Indian Chief Powhatan, father of the famous Indian princess, Pocahontas, and surrounded by historically significant important Civil War sites, Powhatan County is steeped in American history.

In 1608, a band of approximately 120 men led by Christopher Newport made an expedition up the James River to a point as far west as Maidens Bridge.  They were forced to turn back because of hostile Monacan Indians who occupied the area at the time.  Very little is known about the Monacan Indians.  They had an open settlement of huts up and down the riverbank which were abandoned.  What is known is that they were hunters and farmers.  That they were farmers is indicated by the fact that the word "Monacan" is derived from the Algonquin word signifying a stick or spade.

Between the years 1699 and 1705, some five to seven hundred Huguenot refugees fleeing from persecution in France settled on the James River near Manakin in the then-abandoned Monacan Indian villages.  They soon scattered throughout the area, building fine homes, some of which are still standing in the County.

In May 1777, the Virginia General Assembly created the County of Powhatan out of land from the eastern portion of Cumberland County between the Appomattox and James Rivers.  In 1850, a small portion of Chesterfield County was annexed, creating what today is the 273-square mile County of Powhatan.

In Virginia, there are nine counties bearing Indian names.  Only one, Powhatan, is named for an Indian chief.  "Chief Powhatan," father of the famous Indian princess, Pocahontas, was one of the greatest, and is today one of the best known of the Indian chiefs.

After the formation of the County, the first court was held on July 17, 1777, in the home of Littlebury Mosby (1729-1809).  Mosby was an important figure in the history of Cumberland and Powhatan Counties.  Before and after 1777, he was a gentleman Justice.  He was also a vestryman and senior warden of Peterville Church, a colonel in the militia, a tavern keeper, and a high sheriff in the county.  His home still stands and is a private residence at the intersection of Route 60 and Old Tavern Road.

At the first session of the court, plans were considered for laying off the County seat to be known as Scottville in honor of General Charles Scott, a Revolutionary War hero and personal aide to General George Washington at Valley Forge.  Two granite markers, which still stand today, were placed at the south and north ends of the village to serve as meridian markers.  The name of the County seat was changed to Powhatan in 1836 and the present courthouse building was erected in 1848.

Due to the lack of public transportation, small villages sprang up around the County, each of which served their immediate areas.  General stores were stocked with local produce, while dry goods were hauled by packet boat (operated by independent boat companies) on the Kanawha Canal, located on the north side of the river.

Each store was responsible for ordering its own supplies and picking them up at the river.  These goods were then brought across to the Powhatan side of the river boat or ferry and hauled by teams or wagons to various locations through the county.  According to a directory from that period, in 1852 there were 16 merchants in the County as well as 13 attorneys and 13 physicians.

During the War Between the States, Powhatan was spared the battle that raged around Richmond, but became significant during the waning days of the Confederacy.

After the fall of Richmond, retreating Confederate forces passed through the Courthouse area. Robert E. Lee also lived in the county during the summer immediately following the war. Today, there are five sites throughout the county that are part of the Civil War Trails system, and bring tourism to the area.

Several significant educational institutions have been associated with Powhatan. Schools specifically created for the higher education of African-Americans were established at Belmead in the northwest part of the county. The University of Richmond traces its roots to Powhatan in 1830. Many historically significant homes and churches are found throughout the county, including 17 sites listed on the National or Virginia Historic Registry.

Powhatan county is the site of what is believed to be the first commercial coal mines in America. But it was the fertile soil of the river basin, the excellent growing conditions and the large stands of pine and hardwood trees that built prosperity in the area. Tobacco was introduced to the colonies in the early1600’s by an Englishman named John Rolfe. Rolfe was an early settler in the area, and the husband of Pocahontas. It wasn’t long before tobacco became king in the Tidewater and Piedmont area of Virginia, a status it retained until recently.

Food crops were grown, including corn and wheat, but were mostly used for home consumption. Remains of some of the early gristmills that Colonists to grind grain into flour, can still be found in the area. Early Huguenot settlers along the James River began to clear some of the magnificent stands of massive oak and sycamore trees, as well as Virginia pine, as they set up farms.

Over the next 200 years, the bottom hardwood and high quality pine trees were cut and shipped for use all over the world. Many of the taller pines were shipped to England where they were valued as masts for the tall sailing ships. As the hardwoods were cut, the land filled in with pine and other faster growing species. During the Civil War and the Siege of Richmond, both the North and the South felled local trees for railroad ties, firewood and fence rails. Modern inventions also fueled the lumber business in the Powhatan area. By the early 1900’s, the invention of the steam engine, and later the diesel and gasoline engines, made the cutting and transporting of trees easier; large tracts were clear-cut. In the years after the war, clear-cut areas were replanted, and are now managed and protected as commercial forestland. Forestry products are now the largest manufacturing industry in Virginia, and prime timberlands are well protected by management plans and special zoning treatment.

Forests in the Powhatan area cover over 100,000 acres and timber products account for about one million dollars of income yearly to local citizens. Agriculture remains strong in Powhatan County, with more than 50,000 acres of farmland. Cash receipts from crops were more than $1.5 million in 2004, and livestock, including dairy and beef cows, poultry and horses, accounted for another $6.5 million.

The County is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, and a County Administrator who oversees daily operations of the County. The county is also well served by a sheriff, under sheriff and 17 patrol deputies who provide police protection, and five state police officers. A fire chief and 130 member volunteer fire department provides excellent fire-fighting capabilities.

Board of Supervisors

District 1 – Fine Creek and Subletts Precincts
Joseph B. Walton
804-794-4437 – Home
2571 Norwood Creek Way
Powhatan, VA 23139

http://www.joewalton.com

district1@powhatanva.gov

District 2 – Powhatan Station and Graceland Precincts
Charles C. Green

804-794-2946 – Home / 804-794–3885 Fax

1616 Holly Hills Road

Powhatan, VA 23139

http://www.charliegreen.org

district2@powhatanva.gov

District 3 – Bethesda Precinct
Robert R. Cosby
804-598-3864 – Home / 804-347-3117 – Cell
3277 Maidens Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139

http://www.bobcosby.com

district3@powhatanva.gov

District 4 – Powhatan Courthouse and Ballsville Precincts
C. Scott Daniel
804-598-6596 – Home
2225 Ridge Rd.

Powhatan, VA 23139

District 5 – Smith’s Crossroads and Pineville Precincts
Carson L. Tucker
804-598-2213 - Home

3845 Old River Trail

Powhatan, VA 23139
http://www.carsontucker.com

district5@powhatanva.gov

County Administrator Carolyn Cios
804-598-5612 – Office / 804-598-7835 – Fax
3834 Old Buckingham Rd., #A
Powhatan, VA 23139
ccios@powhatanva.gov

Taxes are evaluated each year along with the County's budget and are adjusted as needed.  A primary attraction for new business growth in the County is the absence of a gross receipts-based business, professional, and occupational license tax.

Although primarily residential in nature, the balance between good living and good business is well met in Powhatan. Most of the necessities and amenities of everyday life can be found in the shops, restaurants and services of local providers. Whether you have a taste for sandwiches or pastries, or maybe a friendly family dinner, you don’t have to go far to be satisfied. More than 50 restaurants and eating establishments are located in the area. Some of Powhatan’s many local businesses also include doctors and health care providers, home and garden stores, realtors and homebuilders, feed stores and spas. Local business provides a solid tax base and local employment opportunities. The Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to use this Membership Directory as a guide, and shop locally to help support the businesses that support the community.

The County’s economy relies heavily on government, construction, services and the retail trade industries. Powhatan has a civilian labor force of 13,727. Approximately 6,100 people are employed in the County with approximately 77 percent of the County’s labor force commuting to surrounding localities for work. With a current 2.7 percent unemployment rate, the County has one of the lowest unemployment levels in the Richmond metropolitan area and the state. Adjusted gross income in Powhatan County is $62,111.00, about 7 percent above the state average. Taxable retail sales in 2005 were $142,804,900.00.

More and more people are discovering the charms of Powhatan, making it one of the fastest growing communities in the state. The area is graced with beautiful single family homes on farms and estate size lots, with a wide spectrum of styles that range from historic Revolutionary War period houses to new subdivisions that boast the latest in modern amenities. Homes reflect individual tastes and custom designs, and range in price from under $200,000 to well over a million. A Comprehensive Land Use Plan throughout most of the county specifies five-acre average and two-acre minimum lot sizes. Smaller lots are permitted in some areas.

Some residents opt for the convenience of in-town living with easy access to the local shops and services within the Village of Powhatan. One whole new community includes Scottville at Powhatan Courthouse, a new housing development for active adults in the Village of Powhatan that features smaller lots, neighborhood shops and walking paths. Although easy highway access and the reputation as an excellent place to raise a family are bringing more people, the rural character and friendliness of small town America remains at the heart of the community.

Please check with a local Realtor for more information.

The annual Powhatan County Fair - one of Virginia’s longest-running fairs – is a family tradition. It features concerts from rising entertainers, community displays, fabulous foods, the thrill of midway rides and plenty of interesting exhibits.

On the last Saturday in October, Powhatan’s historic Courthouse Square overflows with wine, food, shopping and live entertainment at the annual Festival of the Grape. The Powhatan Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Economic Development, and the Extension Service host one of the finest and fastest growing wine festivals in Virginia. Festival goers sample wine by the glass or taste the offerings of 18 Virginia wineries. A variety of cuisine, juried art and crafts booths, add to the festivities. On the following day, the Tour de Vin charts a scenic bike ride through Powhatan County to round out the festival weekend.

Other family friendly community events include a Labor Day parade, Christmas Tree Lighting and parade, a special Bateau Festival, and numerous shows, tours and festivals.

Two 18-hole public golf courses and one private club are located in Powhatan, as is the Virginia State Golf Association statewide golf and education center, named the Independence golf Club. This beautiful 27-hole course, Tom Fazio’s only daily-fee golf course in Virginia, was designed to generate enough operating funds to support the programs for the betterment of golf in Virginia.

There are an estimated 170,000 horses in the State of Virginia, with more than 2000 in the Powhatan area. There are horse clubs, as well as many horse related businesses within the County, which include veterinary services, trailer sales, farm and feed stores, and independent riding instructors.

Fighting Creek Park is a 220-acre facility containing athletic fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, the public library, animal shelter, the Powhatan Fire Company, the Elizabeth Randolph Lewis Powhatan YMCA and National Guard Armory.

The Powhatan Wildlife Management Area includes 4462 acres under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, provides hunting and fishing. The department also maintains two public boat landings.

The Powhatan Youth Athletic Association, the Powhatan Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Powhatan Soccer Association provide recreational activities for sportsmen and women of all ages. The County owns several baseball, softball, and soccer fields. Playgrounds and athletic fields are also located at four local public schools.

The Powhatan Public Library offers over 30,000 volumes, with 10 high-speed Internet computers and a wireless network available for public use.

The newly formed Performing Arts Foundation of Powhatan is working to create a state-of-the-arts cultural arts organization to present prominent talent and showcase local gifted artists. Through musical and fine art presentations, they hope to become a focal point of community energy and pride.

Operation of the public school is the responsibility of the Powhatan County School Board, and the division superintendent implements policies.  The school board office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  School board meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Pocahontas Elementary School, 4294 Anderson Highway.  Dr. Margaret S. Meara is division superintendent, and members of the school board are:

          H. A. "Rick" Gideons
          District I (794-5841)

          Jason Moore
          District 2 (598-2018)

          Valerie Ayers
          District 3 (598-7290)

          Kelly Kain
          District 4 (598-7460)

          Germando L. Harris
          District 5 (598-2649)

          Wanda T. Hagy, Clerk

Powhatan County School Board
2320 Skaggs Road
598-5700 or fax 598-5705
On the web: Powhatan County Schools

Students in the Powhatan area are academically challenged by excellent public and private educational systems. The Powhatan County Public Schools includes two elementary schools, a middle school, a junior high and one high school that all work to prepare the community’s children for productive futures. The high school recently added a Junior ROTC and cosmetology program for interested high school students. They also offer to qualified seniors the opportunity to earn the equivalent of a year’s worth of college credits while completing their 12th grade year through The College Connection Academy.

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot is a Catholic college-preparatory school for students from pre-school through 12th grade. The administration and faculty are dedicated to educating the whole child spiritually, academically, socially and physically. Adult education courses and community college courses are taught during the evening.

The Richmond metropolitan area is home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, and Randolph-Macon College. Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney, John Tyler Community College, and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College are all located in nearby communities.

SCHOOLS (In Alphabetical Order)

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot
(Private)
2501 Academy Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-4211

Pocahontas Elementary School
(Grades Junior Kindergarten – 4)
4294 Anderson Hwy.
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-5717
Principal: Linda Dail

Powhatan Elementary School
(Grades Junior Kindergarten – 4)
4111 Old Buckingham Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-5730
Principal: Constance Deal

Pocahontas Middle School
(Grades 5-6)
4290 Anderson Hwy.
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-5720
Principal: Rose Studivant

Powhatan Junior High School
(Grades 7-8)
4135 Old Buckingham Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-5782
Principal: Richard Stewart

Powhatan High School
(Grades 9-12)
1800 Judes Ferry Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139

The Richmond metropolitan area is home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, and Randolph-Macon College, Longwood College and Hampden-Sydney are located in Farmville (40 miles), John Tyler Community College (10 miles) and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (12 miles) provide college transfer and technical and vocational educational programs.

Residents in the Powhatan area can choose from among several excellent medical facilities. CJW Medical Center is one of the largest facilities in the nation’s largest hospital system, HCA. CJW has 758 beds on two medical campuses in the Richmond area, Chippenham and Johnston-Willis. Each campus provides a wide range of services, but specialty programs have been established at one hospital or the other, not at both.

Together, their services include one of the East Coast’s leading neuroscience and Gamma Knife centers, the highly accredited Thomas Johns Cancer Center, the top rated Levinson Heart Hospital, a full-service rehabilitation center, a 113-bed facility providing mental health and substance abuse services, and extensive pediatric services including pediatric ER, a pediatric intensive care unit, and two neonatal care units. The area’s newest hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center is located in western Chesterfield County and provides easy access to residents in Powhatan. It is a state-of-the art facility with 130 private rooms. Services include 24-hour emergency care, surgery, women’s services, on-site neonatology, cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, urology, pediatric services, MRI/CT diagnostics and nuclear medicine.

Other hospitals in the greater Powhatan area include the Medical College of Virginia, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Retreat Hospital, and St. Mary’s Hospital. Medical and dental offices, and chiropractic centers are also located in the Powhatan area. The County’s health department provides immunizations, family planning, home health care, maternity care and well-child care.

Within the County are six medical doctors, four dentists and two chiropractic centers.  Four veterinary hospitals service the area.  The Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad provides service to nearby hospitals including Columbia Johnston-Willis Hospital (330-2273 / 20 miles), Columbia Chippenham Medical Center (330-3911 / 27 miles) and The Medical College of Virginia (828-9000 / 30 miles).  Other hospitals in the Richmond area are Columbia Henrico Doctors' Hospital (289-4500 / 31 miles), Columbia Retreat Hospital (254-5100 / 32 miles), and St. Mary's Hospital (285-2011 / 27 miles).  Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, in western Chesterfield, is only five miles away.  The County's health department provides all immunizations, family planning, home health care, maternity care, and well-child care.

Amelia Monitor (weekly)
Farmville Herald (3 times a week)
The News Journal (internet)
Powhatan Today (weekly)
Richmond Times-Dispatch (morning daily)

Radio

Numerous stations are received from the Richmond, Charlottesville and Farmville areas.

Telephone

Verizon is the phone company which services Powhatan County.  Cellular phone capability exists throughout the County, and fiber optic facilities are also present.

Television

County residents receive all major networks, an independent station and PBS from the Richmond and Charlottesville areas.  Comcast Communications supplies cable television.  Satellite television is provided by Direct TV and Southside Communications Cooperative, a subsidiary of Southside Electric Cooperative.

Parcel

United Parcel Service and Federal Express service the Powhatan area.

While most of Powhatan must depend on wells, there are privately owned water companies in Powhatan. The two main firms are AquaVirginia and Sydnor Hydro. Some of the areas in Powhatan served by private water firms include the Flat Rock Shopping Center and several homes and businesses around the Academy Road and Route 60 intersection. The Courthouse Square area’s fire fighting water is supplied by private firms as well. Private water systems are not unusual. Sydnor, for example, operates more than 100 water systems in Virginia.

Although privately-owned, these systems are still required to operate as a public utility in the areas they serve and must meet the same quality standards as any other municipally-owned system. Customers’ water is tested for problems such as bacteria, metals, inorganic materials, high radioactive levels, nitrates, pesticides and other contaminates.

Water and sewer services in Powhatan are provided mostly by private wells and septic tanks. Regulations and other information regarding wells may be obtained by calling the environmental health specialist at the Powhatan Health Department at 598-5680.

In order to draw economic development to the county, Powhatan has started a program to provide water and sewer service to certain areas. A Sewer Service District has been created by the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors. This district encompasses the Village as well as the Route 60 corridor, roughly from Bell Road to Academy Road. A Sewer and Water Service District exists along Rt. 60 from Academy Road to the Powhatan/Chesterfield boundary. These districts were discussed in public hearings and adopted in it’s most recent version on August 15, 2005.

The Fighting Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was opened in 2000. This facility serves the village as well as a portion of Rt. 60. Sewer service is currently available in some areas of the village as well as along Rt. 60 from Mann Road to Academy Road. Future service could be extended along Rt. 60 from Academy Road to Red Lane. Powhatan County does not offer water service in the village area, thus only a Sewer Service District was created. However, public water is available in this area. Aqua Virginia (formerly Sydnor Hydrodynamics) operates a water system and currently serves portions of the village and Rt. 60.

The Dutoy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was opened in 2003. This facility serves the new high school and portions of Rt. 60. Powhatan County also owns and operates the Flat Rock Water system. There are currently two public wells that provide the water for this system. A 500,000 gallon elevated storage facility provides pressure for this system as well as storage for fire protection. Powhatan County purchased some water capacity from Chesterfield County in the late 1990’s. An extension of water infrastructure will soon be in place that will allow Powhatan County to begin using the Chesterfield water source. Currently, sewer and water service is available for a small portion of eastern Rt. 60, from Batterson Road to the eastern boundary of South Creek Commercial Center. When the extension mentioned previously is completed, service will then be available from Batterson Road to the Powhatan/Chesterfield boundary. Future extensions could make utilities available along Rt. 60 from Batterson to Rocky Oak Road, then further west to Red Lane.