Fincastle, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fincastle, Virginia
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The historic Botetourt County Courthouse in Fincastle, Virginia.
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Location of Fincastle, Virginia
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Virginia | |
| County | Botetourt | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.06 sq mi (5.32 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.05 sq mi (5.30 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,240 ft (378 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 755 | |
| • Density | 368/sq mi (142/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
24090
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| Area code(s) | 540 | |
| FIPS code | 51-27824 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498478 | |
| Website | https://www.townoffincastle.org/ | |
Fincastle is a small town in Botetourt County, Virginia, in the United States. It's the main town, or county seat, of Botetourt County. In 2020, about 755 people lived there. Fincastle is also part of the larger Roanoke area.
Contents
History of Fincastle
Fincastle was first settled by people from Scotland and Ireland and Germany. They came from Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s. A man named John Miller built a sawmill, which became the start of the village.
In 1770, Botetourt County was created from Augusta County. Miller's home was chosen as the place for the court to meet. Two years later, Israel Christian gave 45 acres (18 hectares) of land. He planned the streets and lots for the new town of Fincastle. The town was named after George, Lord Fincastle. He was the oldest son of Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, Lord Dunmore.
Early Buildings and Growth
In 1773, the first wooden courthouse was built in the center of Fincastle. Around the same time, a brick church was built. Israel Christian donated the land for this church. It was for the official church of the time, the Anglican Church.
After the Revolutionary War, the Anglican Church was no longer the official church in Virginia. The church building was later used by Presbyterians. They rebuilt it in the Greek Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek temples.
By the early 1800s, Fincastle had become an important trading center. It was especially known for its wool industry. Many taverns, hotels, and shops were built to help with trade. A second courthouse was built in 1818. It was replaced by a third, larger brick courthouse in 1850. This courthouse is also in the Greek Revival style. It still serves Botetourt County today, even after being rebuilt after a big fire in 1970.
Historic Places in Fincastle
Several buildings and areas in Fincastle are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include:
- Bowyer-Holladay House
- Breckinridge Mill
- Fincastle Historic District
- Greenfield
- Hawthorne Hall
- Prospect Hill
- Santillane
- Wheatland Manor
- Wiloma
Geography of Fincastle
Fincastle is located at 37°29′58″N 79°52′36″W / 37.499421°N 79.876674°W. This is its exact position on a map.
In May 2018, the town's size changed. Its total area grew from 0.2 square miles (0.6 km2) to 2.06 square miles (5.32 km2).
Population Changes in Fincastle
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 896 | — | |
| 1880 | 675 | — | |
| 1900 | 652 | — | |
| 1910 | 479 | −26.5% | |
| 1920 | 457 | −4.6% | |
| 1930 | 517 | 13.1% | |
| 1940 | 442 | −14.5% | |
| 1950 | 405 | −8.4% | |
| 1960 | 403 | −0.5% | |
| 1970 | 397 | −1.5% | |
| 1980 | 282 | −29.0% | |
| 1990 | 236 | −16.3% | |
| 2000 | 359 | 52.1% | |
| 2010 | 353 | −1.7% | |
| 2020 | 755 | 113.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Fincastle has changed over many years. The table above shows how many people lived in the town during different census years. For example, in 1860, there were 896 people. By 2020, the population was 755.
In 2000, there were 359 people living in Fincastle. There were 129 households, and 83 families. About 27% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in Fincastle was 39 years old.
Notable People from Fincastle
Many interesting people have connections to Fincastle. Here are a few:
- Jacob Ammen (1807–1894): He was born in Fincastle and became a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
- Joseph R. Anderson (1813–1892): Also born in Fincastle, he was a general in the Confederate Army. He was also an important iron manufacturer.
- Ben Cline (born 1972): He is a U.S. Representative for Virginia's 6th congressional district. This means he represents the area in the United States Congress.
- John Strother Griffin (1816–1898): A doctor and land developer who worked in Los Angeles, California.
- John M. Peck (died 1985): He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, which is part of Virginia's state government.
- William Radford (1808–1890): He was an officer in the Union Navy and later became an Admiral.
See also
In Spanish: Fincastle (Virginia) para niños
