Bassett, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bassett, Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
Fairystone Park Highway; John D. Bassett High School in the background
|
|
Location of Bassett, Virginia
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County | Henry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) |
| • Land | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 774 ft (236 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 1,100 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24055
|
| Area code(s) | 276 |
| FIPS code | 51-04872 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1488909 |
Bassett is a small community located in Henry County, Virginia, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for collecting census data. In 2010, about 1,100 people lived here. Bassett is part of the larger Martinsville area. The town was started by a family who also created the famous Bassett Furniture company. This company's main office has been in Bassett since it began in 1902.
Contents
History of Bassett
Bassett has a rich history with several important buildings. The John D. Bassett High School, Eltham Manor, and R.L. Stone House are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
How Bassett Got Its Name
The area where Bassett is now was once part of a place called Horsepasture, Virginia. A man named John D. Bassett opened a general store on his family's land. More and more people started to live around his store. Eventually, his store even included a postal service. When the government asked John D. Bassett what to call the area for the post office, he suggested "Bassetts." Later, the "S" at the end was removed, and it became just "Bassett."
The Train Depot
The train station in Bassett was once a busy place. It was a "combination station," meaning it handled both goods and passengers. Three trains a day would pick up products from local companies and carry people. The last time passengers were picked up by train was on February 18, 1961. Today, the old train depot is used as a market during certain seasons.
Bassett Historical Center
The Bassett Historical Center is a special place in town. It keeps records of family histories and local events for Henry and Patrick counties, and the city of Martinsville. It's now part of the Blue Ridge Regional Library. The center has unique records, like lists that helped families of enslaved people trace their ancestors. These records are very important for understanding the past.
Geography and Nature
Bassett is located at coordinates 36.759905 degrees North and -79.986763 degrees West. It covers about 3.5 square miles (9.1 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
The Smith River
Bassett is situated along the Smith River (Virginia). This river once caused a big flood in 1937. The water level reached about 22.9 feet high! Since August 1950, the river's water flow in Bassett has been controlled. This is thanks to the Philpott Dam, which is located about 6.2 miles upstream. The dam helps prevent floods and manages the river's water.
Community Life
In 2000, there were 1,338 people living in Bassett. The community had 530 households. The average household had about 2.33 people. The median age in Bassett was 46 years old.
Education
- Bassett High School is the main high school serving the community.
Climate
The weather in Bassett has hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Places to Visit
- Philpott Dam and its beautiful lake are popular spots.
- The historic John D. Bassett High School building is also a venue for events.
Famous People from Bassett
Many notable people have connections to Bassett:
- Ward Armstrong – a former leader in the Virginia House of Delegates.
- John D. Bassett – the main founder of the Bassett Furniture Company.
- Sherman Dillard – a former American basketball player and coach.
- Michael C. Maxey – a former president of Roanoke College.
- A. L. Philpott – a former Speaker of the House of Virginia Delegates.
- Harry M. Philpott – a former president of Auburn University.
- Harvey Cloyd Philpott – a businessman and former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.
- Philip C. Stone – a former president of Bridgewater College and Sweet Briar College.
See also
In Spanish: Bassett (Virginia) para niños
