Purcellville, Virginia

Loudoun County

51-65008

Purcellville is a town in western Loudoun County, Virginia. In the census of 2000, there were 3584 people in Purcellville.

Geography

Purcellville is located about 15 kilometers west of the county town of Leesburg and about 20 miles from Middleburg. Washington, D.C. is located 80 km east of Purcellville. The Blue Ridge Mountains are located far from Purcellville in the West and can be seen in many places in the city.

The average altitude is 167 meters.

History

Although the first subsidy for the area of Lord Fairfax was issued in 1740, it was not until 1764 that the first known settlers, James Dillon from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in today Purcellville settled.

The first company was found to be a record shop and restaurant, founded in 1799 by Abraham Vickers. Stacey Taylor opened in 1804 a new business, it was followed by a post office, which of Valentine Vernon Purcell ( comes from her the name of the city ) was founded. A blacksmith, who established his business in 1848, was also among the first companies Purcellvilles. The first public school in the town was built in 1883.

From the 1790s, the area was called " Purcell 's Store ". On 9 July 1853 the village officially took the name of Purcellville. The incorporation of the city by an Act of the General Assembly took place about 50 years later, on 14 March 1908.

"The Great Road ", a road from Leesburg to Purcellville, was built in 1785 to an official toll road and was expanded westward from Alexandria to Snicker 's Gap and beyond according to Berryville and Winchester. With the construction of this toll road in 1832 the traffic increased by Purcellville. The first stagecoach reached the city of 1841. Prior to the Civil War, a railway connection to Leesburg was built and the traffic to places further west continued with stagecoaches through Purcellville. When in 1874 the railroad was extended to Purcellville, the town Leesburgs took place as the beginning of the carriage to the railway line was extended to 1875 Round Hill. (This railway line was discontinued in 1968. )

Despite some struggles and persecutions of Purcellville during the Civil War the city suffered no major damage. However, destroying a number of destructive fires, one in 1900 and two more in 1914, the business district and deprived the city of many of their early architectural heritage. Despite the fires, many of the old blocks have been rebuilt and the business district could increase considerably.

Purcellvilles dependence of the transport connections to the more populated eastern regions of Northern Virginia has always been very high, and is more important than ever. Purcellvilles excessive growth during the last five years, when the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Route 7 widening and the toll road (Route 267 ) has extended to western Loudoun County is not intended to indicate future growth of the city. In addition, Purcellvilles traditional dependence has reduced by agriculture, as more and more city residents outside the community are active. The difficulty is to accept these changes without the city its historical identity and their small-town idyll, which evolved over centuries loses.

2008 Purcellville celebrates its centennial as a community.

Policy

Purcellville is governed by a city council consisting of a mayor and six seats. Three of the seats and the mayor are elected every two years. The City Council currently consists of Purcellville Mayor Bob Lazaro Jr., Steve Varmecky, Greg Wagner, CJ Walker III, Dr. James Wiley, Tom Priscilla and Janet Clarke. Clarke was chosen to take over Lazaros seat which became vacant after his election as mayor.

Attractions

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, a paved path on the route of the former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, is well suited for walking and cycling, ends in Purcellville.

Education

In the city there are both public and private educational institutions. The public schools ranging from kindergarten to high school. In Purcellville are the Loudoun Valley High School, the Blue Ridge Middle School, Harmony Intermediate School, and Emerick and Mountain View Elementary School. The Patrick Henry College, a private Christian school, is also located in Purcellville.