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Grundy, Virginia

Coordinates:37°16′42.75″N82°5′59.9″W/ 37.2785417°N 82.099972°W/37.2785417; -82.099972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grundy, Virginia
Town
U.S. Route 460 in Grundy
U.S. Route 460in Grundy
Location in Virginia
Location inVirginia
Coordinates:37°16′42.75″N82°5′59.9″W/ 37.2785417°N 82.099972°W/37.2785417; -82.099972
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyBuchanan
Founded1858
Government
•MayorMarvin Wade McGeorge
Area
[1]
• Total5.04 sq mi (13.05 km2)
• Land4.99 sq mi (12.91 km2)
• Water0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation
1,050 ft (320 m)
Population
(2020)[2]
• Total875
• Estimate
(2021)[3]
822
• Density180.30/sq mi (69.62/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5(EST)
• Summer (DST)UTC-4(EDT)
ZIP code
24614
Area code276
FIPS code51-33648[4]
GNISfeature ID1498485[5]
Websitetownofgrundy.com

Grundyis a town inBuchanan County, Virginia,United States, an area located within theAppalachian Mountainsregion. It is thecounty seatof Buchanan County.[6]The town is home to theAppalachian School of Law.The population was 875 as of the2020 census.[2]

Legislation establishing Buchanan County in 1858 designated a plot of land at the confluence of theLevisa Fork Riverand Slate Creek as the seat of government for the county and directed the erection of the county courthouse on the plot, which marked the beginnings of what would be Grundy.

Although originally developed along theLevisa Fork River,which provided a transportation and power waterway, the town suffered from nine major floods since 1929 that have caused extensive damage, the last of which occurred in 1977. It is notable for having major businesses relocated in the 21st century to higher ground to prevent such damage in the future. A mountain opposite the historic town was blasted to provide a kind of plateau where much of the town was relocated and redeveloped. The federal project included construction of bridges and aflood wall,as well as the relocation of some roadways.

During theAmerican Civil War,the town served as a stop-over forUniontroops on their way to theBattle of Saltville.

History

[edit]

The town, founded in 1858 upon the formation ofBuchanan County,was named forFelix Grundy(1777–1840),United States Attorney General(1838–1839) andUnited States SenatorfromTennessee(1839–1840). It was incorporated in 1876. The presentcourthousedates from 1905 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982. Since the late 19th century, this area depended on coal mining as the basis of its economy. The decline in mining resulted in a loss of jobs and population.

Civil War events

[edit]

In October 1864, Union raiders under Brigadier GeneralStephen G. Burbridgepassed through Grundy on their way to destroy the saltworks nearSaltvilleinSmyth County.There they were met byConfederatetroops commanded by Brigadier GeneralAlfred E. Jacksonat theBattle of Saltville.The Union troops were defeated in the battle, but returned later and succeeded in destroying the saltworks.

Red Jacket Mine explosion

[edit]

On April 25, 1938, a catastrophic mine explosion happened in the Keen Mountain Coal Mine.[7]45 were killed and 3 injured. This is widely regarded as one of the worst mining disasters in Virginia's history. The disaster was reported in theCharleston Gazette.[8]

Grundy Flood-Control Project

[edit]
Aerial view of flooding on the Levisa Fork River in Grundy, Virginia in 1984

Since 1929, Grundy has suffered nine major floods of the adjoiningLevisa Fork River.After the inundation of April 4, 1977, many businesses did not reopen, and owners abandoned the buildings that housed them. In 1984 many businesses flooded again.

A 21st-century project to relocate much of the town to higher ground has been completed. The project started in 2001. The mountain on the other side of theLevisa Forkwas blasted to create 13 acres (53,000 m2) of relatively level land. After a few years of blasting, utilities were placed and new bridges were built across the river. A new town center on the west bank features a multi-levelWal-Martwith a parking deck.

Buchanan County Courthouse in 2009

Buildings backing on the river have been demolished, and a new flood wall protects the county courthouse.U.S. Route 460was relocated to the top of the flood wall. Businesses formerly located downtown were relocated to an industrial building located just outside town.State Route 83will be rerouted to meetU.S. Route 460down the street whereU.S. Route 460originally took a directional split to go through downtown Grundy. Additional work upriver is under study to rerouteU.S. Route 460inland from its current path.

Base of a regional grocery store chain

[edit]
Grundy Town Center was built as part of a $200 million redevelopment which included a Walmart store built on top of a two-story parking garage, the only one of its kind in the United States.[9]
Walmart in Grundy

Grundy was the home of the predecessor to theFood City Stores,when Jack Smith opened aPiggly Wigglyfranchise in 1955. The store was Smith's first and the chain has now grown to 150 stores, primarily located inVirginia,Kentucky,TennesseeGeorgia and Alabama. The chain is known for sponsoring theFood City 500NASCARrace atBristol Motor Speedway.[10]The Grundy store remained open one day short of 50 years. It closed in November 2005. A new store opened up just outside the town limits inVansant.The Grundy store was re-opened on June 29, 2011, as one of theKVAT Food City Stores.It is a Super Dollar Foods Center location.

Education as a new sustaining industry

[edit]

Grundy is home to theAppalachian School of Law,which opened in 1997, and theAppalachian College of Pharmacy,which opened in 2005.Buchanan Countychose Grundy as the site for the ASL to revitalize the town, which had been in a steady economic decline since the Flood of 1977. The ASL has generated $12 million for the local economy. Its presence has increased demand for construction of rental homes and stimulated the opening of additional businesses in the area. Additionally, ASL has successfully demonstrated the concept of creating institutions of higher education as an economic development tool.[11][12]

This success contributed to the founding of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy, located inOakwood.[13]Like the Appalachian School of Law, it was created as part of a continuing economic redevelopment effort in the region. ACP is forecast to add $20 million per year to the local economy.[12]

Appalachian School of Law shooting

[edit]
Main article:Appalachian School of Law shooting

On 16 January, 2002, Dean Anthony Sutin, Professor Thomas Blackwell, and 1L student Angela Dales were shot and killed on the campus of theAppalachian School of Lawby student Peter Odighizuwa, 43, ofNigeria.Odighizuwa was found to be mentally competent at his trial. He pleaded guilty to the murders to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced to multiple life terms in prison.[14]

Geography

[edit]
Grundy is located in the Cumberland Mountains portion of the Appalachian range, just east of the Cumberland Plateau. The town is located towards the center left portion of the map.

Grundy is located at37°16′36″N82°5′42″W/ 37.27667°N 82.09500°W/37.27667; -82.09500(37.276760, −82.095038).[15]The town is located at intersection ofU.S. Route 460andState Route 83directly on the banks of theLevisa Fork River.Grundy is located in the coalfields of theAppalachian Mountains.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the town has a total area of 5.0 square miles (13.1 km2), all of which is land.

Grundy is located in theCumberland Plateau Region.

Transportation

[edit]

Grundy is served by theGrundy Municipal Airportlocated inVansant,which serves general aviation traffic. Commercial traffic can be found atBeckley Raleigh County Memorial AirportinWest Virginiaand at theTri-Cities Regional AirportinTennessee.

Four County Transit maintains a local trolley system that services downtown locations. Stops include the Grundy courthouse, Grundy Church of Christ, the former Food City parking lot, the Grundy Community Center, the Appalachian School of Law, and the former downtown parking lot.[16]

TheNorfolk Southern Railwaymaintains tracks and runs trains through the town. However, there are no passenger rail services or stops currently in Grundy.

Grundy is served byU.S. Route 460.TheCoalfields Expresswaywill be built just to the north and east of town.State Route 83is also a major highway in the area.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880123—
1900200—
191026432.0%
192039449.2%
1930815106.9%
19401,47681.1%
19501,94731.9%
19602,28717.5%
19702,054−10.2%
19801,699−17.3%
19901,305−23.2%
20001,105−15.3%
20101,021−7.6%
2020875−14.3%
2021 (est.)822[3]−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
2020 Census[2]
Age distribution of Buchanan County, Virginia

As of thecensusof 2000, there were 1,105 people, 405 households, and 249 families residing in the town. Thepopulation densitywas 219.3 people per square mile (84.7/km2). There were 519 housing units at an average density of 103.0 per square mile (39.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 79.19%White,17.92%African American,0.45%Asian,0.09%Pacific Islander,1.81% fromother races,and 0.54% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.81% of the population.

There were 405 households, out of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 36.3% 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 2.28 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,411, and the median income for a family was $47,143. Males had a median income of $40,236 compared to $24,821 for females. Theper capita incomefor the town was $19,531. About 10.5% of families and 17.3% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 12.8% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]
The Appalachian School of Law is located in Grundy. The school opened its doors to students in 1997.
Grundy Senior High School

Grundy is the home of two public institutions. The town is also home to a private, Christian academy. Additionally, the town is home to a graduate-level college, granting law degrees.

Public schools

[edit]

Private institutions

[edit]
  • Mountain Mission School

Post-secondary education

[edit]

Notable people

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Grundy has ahumid subtropical climate,abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[20]TheTrewartha climate classificationis temperate oceanic due to five months of winter chill (monthly means below 10 °C (50 °F)), abbreviated "Do" on climate maps.

Climate data for Grundy, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26) 		83
(28) 		89
(32) 		94
(34) 		98
(37) 		100
(38) 		101
(38) 		100
(38) 		102
(39) 		93
(34) 		85
(29) 		80
(27) 		102
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 42.9
(6.1) 		47.1
(8.4) 		55.8
(13.2) 		67.1
(19.5) 		73.8
(23.2) 		79.8
(26.6) 		82.6
(28.1) 		81.6
(27.6) 		77.1
(25.1) 		67.4
(19.7) 		56.2
(13.4) 		46.0
(7.8) 		64.8
(18.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 33.7
(0.9) 		36.9
(2.7) 		43.8
(6.6) 		53.6
(12.0) 		62.0
(16.7) 		69.3
(20.7) 		72.9
(22.7) 		72.1
(22.3) 		66.6
(19.2) 		55.5
(13.1) 		44.3
(6.8) 		36.9
(2.7) 		54.0
(12.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 24.4
(−4.2) 		26.6
(−3.0) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		40.1
(4.5) 		50.1
(10.1) 		58.8
(14.9) 		63.3
(17.4) 		62.5
(16.9) 		56.1
(13.4) 		43.6
(6.4) 		32.5
(0.3) 		27.9
(−2.3) 		43.1
(6.2)
Record low °F (°C) −14
(−26) 		−17
(−27) 		−3
(−19) 		21
(−6) 		25
(−4) 		40
(4) 		40
(4) 		45
(7) 		30
(−1) 		19
(−7) 		9
(−13) 		−11
(−24) 		−17
(−27)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 3.31
(84) 		3.28
(83) 		4.03
(102) 		4.30
(109) 		4.81
(122) 		4.76
(121) 		5.69
(145) 		4.19
(106) 		3.16
(80) 		3.02
(77) 		2.61
(66) 		3.70
(94) 		46.86
(1,190)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.2
(16) 		4.2
(11) 		2.6
(6.6) 		0.2
(0.51) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.4
(1.0) 		2.4
(6.1) 		16.0
(41)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 13.1 11.9 13.1 12.8 14.1 13.9 13.2 11.3 9.3 9.9 9.6 13.1 145.3
Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) 5.0 3.8 2.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 3.0 14.9
Source:NOAA[21][22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 7,2020.
  2. ^abc"Explore Census Data".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  3. ^ab"City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021".United States Census Bureau. July 5, 2022.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  4. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  5. ^"US Board on Geographic Names".United States Geological Survey.October 25, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  6. ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
  7. ^Development, PodBean."April 22 - The Red Jacket Mine Explosion".laborhistoryin2.podbean.com.RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
  8. ^"Keen Mountain Mine Explosion".usminedisasters.miningquiz.com.RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
  9. ^Mcintosh, Chris (September 14, 2011)."Unique new Wal-Mart Supercenter opens in Grundy, Va".HeraldCourier.com.RetrievedApril 3,2020.
  10. ^"Food City Founder Passes Away".WVLT Television. Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2007.RetrievedApril 5,2007.
  11. ^"Buchanan's 10-year-old $2.5 million debt forgiven".Bluefield (WV) Daily Telegraph. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2013.RetrievedApril 2,2007.
  12. ^ab"Colleges bring coal country a fresh mine of resources".Roanoke Times. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2007.RetrievedApril 3,2007.
  13. ^"Open House".Virginia Mountaineer. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2007.RetrievedMarch 16,2007.
  14. ^Davis, W. Jeremy.""Against All Sense and Reason or Change and the Art of Getting Lucky"".University of Toledo Law Review, vol. 36 No.1.University of Toledo.RetrievedApril 4,2007.
  15. ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
  16. ^"Trolley Bus Service Now Available".Virginia Mountaineer.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2006.RetrievedApril 6,2007.
  17. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  18. ^Maria Gold and Michael D. Shear, "DNA Tests Confirm Guilt of Executed Man",Washington Post,January 12, 2006; Quote: "The testing in Coleman's case marks only the second time nationwide that DNA tests have been performed after an execution. In 2000, tests ordered by a Georgia judge in the case of Ellis W. Felker, who was executed in 1996, were inconclusive."; accessed May 26, 2017
  19. ^"Capt. Francis Gary Powers | National Air and Space Museum".
  20. ^Climate Summary for Grundy, Virginia
  21. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
  22. ^ "Station: Grundy, VA".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
[edit]
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