Hightown, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hightown, Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
Hightown, looking east from Lantz Mountain
|
|
 Hightown, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Hightown, Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Highland |
| Elevation | 3,123 ft (952 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
24465
|
| Area code(s) | 540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1495691 |
Hightown is a small, quiet community in Highland County, Virginia, United States. It is an unincorporated community. This means it is not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it is a group of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county. Hightown is known for its unique location, sitting right on a special line that divides where rainwater flows.
Contents
Discovering Hightown, Virginia
Hightown is a unique place in Virginia. It is located at an elevation of 3,123 feet (952 meters) above sea level. This makes it one of the higher communities in the state. The area is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.
Where is Hightown Located?
Hightown is found where two important roads meet. These are U.S. Route 250 and Secondary State Route 640. It is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) northwest of a nearby community called Monterey, Virginia. The community's location makes it a crossroads for travelers.
The Great Water Divide
One of the most interesting facts about Hightown is its role in the "Great Water Divide." This community sits on a natural boundary. Rainwater that falls on one side of this boundary flows to the James River. The James River eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Rainwater on the other side flows to the South Branch Potomac River. The Potomac River also flows to the Atlantic Ocean, but through a different path.
This division means Hightown is a "watershed divide." A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains to the same place. Hightown is where two major watersheds meet. The main source of the South Branch Potomac River is just north of Hightown. The source of the Jackson River is south of Hightown. The Jackson River is a tributary of the James River.
The Barn Story
There is a famous local story about this water divide. It involves a barn owned by Jacob Hevener. This barn was located near Hightown. People say that the roof of this barn actually split the two watersheds. Rain falling on one side of the barn's roof would flow towards the James River. Rain falling on the other side would flow towards the Potomac River. This story shows how precisely the water divide runs through the area.
What Was Hightown Called Before?
Before it was known as Hightown, the community had a different name. It was originally called Heveners Store. This name likely came from the Hevener family, who were important in the area. The change in name reflects the community's growth and development over time.
