Brookneal, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brookneal, Virginia
Town
Rush Street downtown
Flag Seal Logo
Location of Brookneal, Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Campbell
Area
• Total	3.59 sq mi (9.30 km2)
• Land	3.50 sq mi (9.05 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2)
Elevation	568 ft (173 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,112
• Estimate  (2019)	1,098
• Density	314.16/sq mi (121.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	24528
Area code(s)	434
FIPS code	51-10296
GNIS feature ID	1463884
Website	Official website: http://www.townofbrookneal.com/

Brookneal is a small town in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. It is an "incorporated town," meaning it has its own local government. In 2020, about 1,090 people lived there. Brookneal is part of the larger Lynchburg area.

History of Brookneal

How Brookneal Started

Brookneal was officially created on January 14, 1802. It was named after John Brooke and his wife, Sarah Neal Brooke. They owned a tobacco warehouse, which became known as "Brooke's Warehouse." This warehouse was located near a boat landing and a ferry crossing on the Staunton River.

The "Town of Brookneal" became an official town with its own rules in 1908. It was the smallest incorporated town in Central Virginia. Brookneal was an important trading center for parts of Campbell, Charlotte, and Halifax counties.

Travel and Trade in Early Brookneal

For a long time, rivers were the main way to travel and trade goods in Virginia. Roads were often rough and hard to use. People used special boats called batteaux to move goods up and down the rivers.

Later, in the 1800s, railroads became popular. They made it easier to transport goods and people to more places.

Rivers and Canals

The Roanoke River (also called the Staunton River) flows near Brookneal. This river goes all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1815, a company worked to make the Roanoke River easier to navigate. By 1828, boats could travel about 124 miles on the river from Brookneal.

Patrick Henry, who was the first Governor of Virginia after it became a state, thought waterways were very important. He lived near Brookneal at his home, Red Hill Plantation. He even set up a ferry on the Staunton River to connect his plantation to other counties.

Railroads Arrive

By the 1850s, railroads started to replace river travel. In 1887, the Lynchburg and Durham Railroad began building tracks through Brookneal. This railroad was finished in 1892 and later became part of the Norfolk and Western Railway.

Another important railroad, the Virginian Railway, was built nearby. It was created to carry bituminous coal from West Virginia to the coast. This line opened in 1909. Both the Norfolk and Western and the Virginian railways later became part of the modern Norfolk Southern system.

Challenges and Growth

In the late 1800s, Brookneal became home to textile mills. These mills used the river's power to make fabrics and were very important for the local economy.

In 1912, Brookneal faced several problems, including a big fire that destroyed much of the town. But the people of Brookneal rebuilt their town, often using strong brick for new buildings. The town soon started growing again.

Over the years, Brookneal continued to grow with both train services and major roads like U.S. Highway 501 and State Route 40. This helped the town have different types of businesses, including factories, farms, and shops. The river also offered fun activities for people.

Recent Economic Changes

Recently, Brookneal has faced some economic challenges. The Virginia Tobacco Co-Op closed, which meant tobacco warehouses were no longer needed. Also, the American textile industry declined, leading to the closing of the Dan River mill in Brookneal. This mill used to employ nearly 400 people.

Historic Places in Brookneal

Several places in and around Brookneal are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Red Hill, the Brookneal Historic District, Cat Rock Sluice of the Roanoke Navigation, Staunton Hill, and Westview.

Geography

Brookneal is located at 37°3′7″N 78°56′42″W / 37.05194°N 78.94500°W / 37.05194; -78.94500.

The town covers a total area of about 3.59 square miles (9.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Population Information

In 2000, there were 1,259 people living in Brookneal. The population density was about 360 people per square mile. The town had 509 households. About 29% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in Brookneal was 42 years old.

Climate

Brookneal has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and winters that are usually mild to cool.

Famous People from Brookneal

• Patrick Henry: A very important person in American history, known as the "Voice of the American Revolution." He was also the first Governor of Virginia.
• Charlie Pick: A professional baseball player who played as an infielder.
• Lewis A. Pick: A Lieutenant General in the United States Army and Chief of Engineers.
• Dagen McDowell: A business reporter for Fox News.
• Buddy Booker: A professional baseball player who played as a catcher.

See also

In Spanish: Brookneal para niños