Ettrick, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ettrick, Virginia
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Ettick historic marker and steps to VSU, viewed from Campbell's Bridge over the Appomattox River
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Location of Ettrick, Virginia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Chesterfield |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km2) |
| • Land | 2.9 sq mi (7.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,241 |
| • Density | 2,404/sq mi (928/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 51-26128 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1496888 |
Ettrick is a census-designated place (CDP) in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 7,241. The town is home to Virginia State University and the Petersburg Amtrak train station.
Most of Ettrick has a Petersburg mailing address, ZIP code 23803, although the community is not part of the city of Petersburg.
History
Ettrick was named around 1765 by the foreign merchant Neil Buchanan, who dubbed the eventual village Ettrick Banks for its similarities to his native Ettrick area of Selkirk, Scotland.
Capt. Christopher Newport led expeditions in this area. Near Petersburg, which developed as an industrial city, Ettrick also developed industry. It had cotton mills, as it was on the Fall Line and could use water power.
During the American Civil War, the Confederate Army established a large hospital here. In the late nineteenth century, the biracial state legislature established the first state-supported black college, founded here in 1882 as Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (now Virginia State University). John Mercer Langston, who founded the Law School at Howard University, was its first president. He was elected as a US Congressman from Virginia from here. Vawter Hall and Old President's House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
One of the longstanding landmarks is Campbell's Bridge, first built around 1810. It has been reconstructed several times and is the only direct thoroughfare from the village across the river into Petersburg.
Ettrick today
Currently there is an active Historical Society, gathering for many annual events including a "Burns Night", which celebrates the life's works of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The evening includes a traditional dinner of haggis. Heritage Day is observed every second Saturday in April, complete with pipe and drums, food, clans, and Native American, Civil War, and pirate re-enactors.
Geography
Ettrick is located at 37°14′34″N 77°25′32″W / 37.24278°N 77.42556°W (37.242750, −77.425418).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2), of which 2.9 square miles (7.6 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.2 km2), or 2.48%, is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 4,890 | — | |
| 1990 | 5,290 | 8.2% | |
| 2000 | 5,627 | 6.4% | |
| 2010 | 6,682 | 18.7% | |
| 2020 | 7,241 | 8.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 1,115 | 1,572 | 16.69% | 21.71% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,160 | 4,957 | 77.22% | 68.46% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 16 | 19 | 0.24% | 0.26% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 21 | 89 | 0.31% | 1.23% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 13 | 31 | 0.19% | 0.43% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 164 | 299 | 2.45% | 4.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 193 | 272 | 2.89% | 3.76% |
| Total | 6,682 | 7,241 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Notable people
- Robert Prentiss Daniel, born in Ettrick; African-American educator and college administrator, president of Virginia State University for 18 years
- James Farrior, plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL and holds two Super Bowl rings
- Rudi Johnson, former All Pro running back for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL
- John Mercer Langston, first president of Virginia State University in 1882 and US Congressman from Virginia
- Lennie Pond, NASCAR Rookie of the year was born in Ettrick
- Robert 'Bob' Eanes, Chesterfield County's first Fire Chief. Born Ettrick.
See also
In Spanish: Ettrick (Virginia) para niños
