Amsterdam, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amsterdam
|
|
|---|---|
 Amsterdam
Location in Virginia
Amsterdam
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Botetourt |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Amsterdam is a small place located in Botetourt County, Virginia, in the United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that don't have their own local government, like a city or town. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own official city or town government. Instead, the county government takes care of services like roads and public safety. Amsterdam is one such community within Botetourt County.
A Glimpse into Amsterdam's Past
We can learn about Amsterdam's history from old records. In 1855, a book called a "gazetteer" mentioned Amsterdam. A gazetteer is like an old-fashioned atlas or dictionary of places. It describes towns, cities, and other locations.
Amsterdam as a Post-Village
The 1855 gazetteer described Amsterdam as a "post-village." This meant it was an important stop for mail and travelers. Back then, people often traveled by stagecoach. A stagecoach stop was a place where these coaches would pause. Travelers could rest, eat, and change horses.
What Amsterdam Looked Like in 1855
The gazetteer also tells us a little about what Amsterdam was like in 1855. It had "1 brick church." This shows that the community had a place for people to gather and worship. There were also "several tradesmen's shops." These shops would have provided goods and services to the people living in Amsterdam and travelers passing through. They might have included a blacksmith, a general store, or other important businesses for daily life.
