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 community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. It is a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for gathering population data. In 2020, about 7,241 people lived here. Ettrick is home to Virginia State University and the Petersburg Amtrak train station.
Even though most of Ettrick uses a Petersburg mailing address (ZIP code 23803), it is not part of the city of Petersburg itself.
Contents
History of Ettrick
Ettrick got its name around 1765 from a merchant named Neil Buchanan. He called the area "Ettrick Banks" because it reminded him of his home in Ettrick, Scotland.
Captain Christopher Newport explored this area a long time ago. Like nearby Petersburg, Ettrick grew into an industrial town. It had cotton mills because it was located on the Fall Line. This meant rivers dropped here, providing water power for the mills.
During the American Civil War, the Confederate Army set up a large hospital in Ettrick. Later, in the late 1800s, a very important college was founded here in 1882. It was called Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute and is now known as Virginia State University. This was the first state-supported college for African Americans in Virginia. John Mercer Langston, who started the Law School at Howard University, was its first president. He later became a US Congressman from Virginia. The historic buildings of Vawter Hall and Old President's House were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
One of the oldest landmarks in Ettrick is Campbell's Bridge. It was first built around 1810 and has been rebuilt several times. It's the only direct road that crosses the river from Ettrick into Petersburg.
Ettrick Today
Today, Ettrick has an active Historical Society. They hold many yearly events, including a "Burns Night." This event celebrates the Scottish poet Robert Burns and includes a traditional dinner of haggis. Another event is Heritage Day, which happens every second Saturday in April. It features pipe and drum music, food, and people dressed up as Native Americans, Civil War soldiers, and pirates.
Geography of Ettrick
Ettrick is located at 37°14′34″N 77°25′32″W / 37.24278°N 77.42556°W.
The United States Census Bureau says that Ettrick covers a total area of about 7.8 square kilometers (3.0 square miles). Most of this area, about 7.6 square kilometers (2.9 square miles), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square kilometers (0.1 square miles), is water.
Population and 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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Population in 2020
In 2020, Ettrick had a population of 7,241 people. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds. The largest groups are Black or African American residents, followed by White residents. There are also smaller numbers of Asian, Native American, and multiracial residents. A portion of the population is also of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Notable People from Ettrick
- Robert Prentiss Daniel: An educator who was president of Virginia State University for 18 years.
- James Farrior: Played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL and won two Super Bowls.
- Rudi Johnson: A former All-Pro running back for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.
- John Mercer Langston: The first president of Virginia State University in 1882 and a US Congressman from Virginia.
- Lennie Pond: A NASCAR Rookie of the Year, born in Ettrick.
- Robert 'Bob' Eanes: Chesterfield County's first Fire Chief, born in Ettrick.
See also
In Spanish: Ettrick (Virginia) para niños
