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Catawba, Virginia facts for kids

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Catawba, Virginia
Panoramic image of the Catawba Valley from the McAfee Knob overlook along the Appalachian Trail
Panoramic image of the Catawba Valley from the McAfee Knob overlook along the Appalachian Trail
Catawba, Virginia is located in Virginia
Catawba, Virginia
Catawba, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Country United States
State Virginia
County Roanoke
Elevation
1,742 ft (531 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24070
Area code 540
GNIS ID 1492727
USGS

Catawba is a small, quiet community in Roanoke County, Virginia, United States. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of a larger county.

Catawba sits in the beautiful Catawba Valley. Mountains surround it, with Catawba Mountain to the south. Other mountains to the north form the border with Craig County. The main road through Catawba is State Route 311. Catawba also has its own post office with the zip code 24070.

Welcome to Catawba, Virginia!

Catawba is known as a peaceful, rural area in the Roanoke Valley. It's a place with many farms and cozy bed and breakfasts. For a long time, it was also home to the popular Homeplace Restaurant. People loved visiting Catawba for its quiet charm.

A Special Hospital

Near Route 311, you'll find the Catawba Hospital. This facility is run by the state of Virginia. Its history goes back to 1857. Back then, it was a resort. People believed that the natural sulfur and limestone springs in the area had healing powers.

Fun Things to Do Outdoors

Catawba is a great spot for outdoor adventures. Two important roads, State Route 785 and State Route 779, connect Catawba to other towns. Route 785 leads to Blacksburg, and Route 779 goes to Daleville.

The Famous Appalachian Trail

Dragon Tooth, Virginia
Dragon Tooth, Virginia

The famous Appalachian Trail passes right through the Catawba area. This trail offers access to three very popular hiking spots. These are Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. Hikers often call these three places the "Triple Crown" of hiking in Virginia. Experienced hikers can even complete a 32-mile loop to visit all three overlooks.

A Look at History

Catawba has some interesting historical connections.

A Monument to Audie Murphy

In 1971, a famous American soldier and actor named Audie Murphy died in a plane crash near Catawba. A special monument has been built at the crash site to remember him.

Historic Places to See

Two local spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Anderson-Doosing Farm and the Johnsville Meetinghouse. Being on this list means they are important historical places that are protected.

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