Cuckoo, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cuckoo, Virginia
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Aerial view of Cuckoo
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 Cuckoo, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Cuckoo, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Louisa |
| Elevation | 423 ft (129 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
23117
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1496864 |
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Cuckoo is a small, quiet place in Louisa County, Virginia, United States. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's an unincorporated community, meaning it's part of the county but doesn't have its own local leaders.
Cuckoo is located about eight miles southeast of Louisa. It sits roughly halfway between the larger cities of Charlottesville and Richmond. This small community has a fascinating history, especially from the time of the American Revolution.
What's in a Name? The Cuckoo Story
Have you ever wondered where the name "Cuckoo" came from? It's quite unique! The community was named after a famous building called the Cuckoo Tavern.
The Cuckoo Tavern's Special Clock
The Cuckoo Tavern was a well-known stop in the area. It got its name from a special cuckoo clock that hung on its wall. People say this clock was one of the first cuckoo clocks ever seen in Virginia! Imagine how exciting that must have been for travelers passing through.
A Historic House: The Cuckoo Estate
Besides the tavern, there was also a large house called Cuckoo. This grand home was built in 1819 for a person named Henry Pendleton. It stood on land that once belonged to William Overton Callis. Today, you can find a historical marker at this spot, telling visitors about its past.
Jack Jouett's Famous Ride
Cuckoo played a small but important role in American history, similar to the story of Paul Revere.
Warning the Colonists
In 1781, during the American Revolutionary War, the Cuckoo Tavern was the starting point for a brave ride. A man named Jack Jouett began his journey from here. He rode quickly to warn American leaders that British soldiers were coming.
A Race Against Time
Jack Jouett's ride was meant to alert the Colonists about the arrival of Banastre Tarleton's British cavalry. This warning helped protect important figures and supplies during the war. It's a story of courage and quick thinking!
Famous Faces from Cuckoo
Even small communities can have connections to important people.
Shirley Ann Jackson's Family Ties
Shirley Ann Jackson is a very accomplished American nuclear physicist. She is also the President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a famous university. Interestingly, her family has roots in Cuckoo, Virginia.
The 2011 Virginia Earthquake
On August 23, 2011, Cuckoo was at the center of a big natural event.
A Shaking Experience
At 1:51 PM ET on that Tuesday, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake happened. Its center was very close to Cuckoo, about 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) southwest, near Indian Creek.
Felt Far and Wide
This earthquake was quite powerful and was felt across a huge area. People reported feeling the ground shake from as far south as Atlanta, Georgia, all the way north to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It was even felt as far west as Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a memorable event for many people living in the eastern United States.
