Middleburg, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Middleburg, Virginia
Town
Town of Middleburg
Aerial view of Middleburg
Motto(s):  "Semel et Semper" ("Once and Always")
Middleburg, Virginia Location in Northern Virginia Show map of Northern Virginia Middleburg, Virginia Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Middleburg, Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Loudoun
Founded	1787
Area
• Total	1.04 sq mi (2.70 km2)
• Land	1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	486 ft (148 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	673
• Estimate  (2019)	834
• Density	804.24/sq mi (310.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern Time Zone (ET))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	20117–20118
Area code(s)	540
FIPS code	51-51448
GNIS feature ID	1470422
Website	www.middleburgva.gov

Middleburg is a small town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. In 2010, about 673 people lived there. It is located in Loudoun County, right next to Fauquier County.

Many people call Middleburg the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital." This is because it's famous for horse riding, foxhunting, and exciting steeplechase races. The oldest part of town, called the Middleburg Historic District, is a special place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its important 19th-century buildings.

History of Middleburg

Cabin near Middleburg, Loudon, by Frances Benjamin Johnston, ca. 1930s. Photo shows African American man and woman, outdoors, standing at the corner of a house near the chimney

How Middleburg Started

The town of Middleburg was created in 1787 by Leven Powell. He was an officer in the American Revolutionary War. Powell bought the land in 1763 for a very low price. The land was bought from Joseph Chinn, who was a cousin of George Washington.

Before it was Middleburg, the area was called "Chinn's Crossroads." Then it was known as "Powell Town." But Leven Powell did not want the town named after him. So, it became "Middleburgh," and later, just "Middleburg." The town is located exactly halfway between the port of Alexandria and Winchester, Virginia. It was an important stop on an old trading route called the Ashby Gap route. Today, U.S. Route 50 follows this same path.

Middleburg During the Civil War

In 1863, Middleburg was a site of fighting during the Civil War. Two small battles, called skirmishes, happened here. These events were part of the larger Gettysburg Campaign.

Middleburg's Horse and Hunt Culture

Starting in the early 1900s, Middleburg became a popular spot for horse lovers. People came to enjoy foxhunting and steeplechasing. Steeplechasing is a horse race with obstacles like fences. Because of these activities, the town became known as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital." It attracted many important visitors from all over the United States.

Middleburg is also home to the National Sporting Library. This is a large research center for horse and field sports. It even publishes a website called Thoroughbred Heritage. A new part is being added to the library. It will include an art gallery and a museum.

Important Historic Buildings

The Middleburg Historic District is a special area in town. It includes many buildings from the 1800s. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The oldest building in Middleburg is the Red Fox Inn & Tavern. It was first built in 1728 by Joseph Chinn. Back then, it was called Chinn's Ordinary. It is said to be the oldest inn in the U.S. that has been open continuously. The oldest known house still used as a home, "Middleburg House," was built in 1779.

Other important places in the area are also on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Benton, the Burrland Farm Historic District, Green Pastures, Huntland, Mill House, Gen. William Mitchell House, Much Haddam, Unison Historic District, and Welbourne.

Geography and Transportation

Where Middleburg Is Located

Middleburg is a small town, covering about 0.6 square miles (1.5 square kilometers). All of this area is land. The town sits at an elevation of 486 feet above sea level.

US 50 in Middleburg

Getting Around Middleburg

U.S. Route 50 is the main highway that goes through Middleburg. If you go west on US 50 from Middleburg, you will reach Winchester. If you head east, US 50 will take you through Fairfax and Washington, D.C.. Eventually, it ends in Ocean City, Maryland.

People of Middleburg

Population Changes Over Time

In 2000, there were 632 people living in Middleburg. These people made up 322 households and 171 families. The town had about 1,083.8 people per square mile. There were 364 homes, with about 624.2 homes per square mile.

Most of the people in Middleburg were White (76.58%). About 20.25% were African American. A small number were Asian (0.16%) or from other backgrounds. About 4.27% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Households and Families

Out of 322 households, 20.2% had children under 18 living with them. About 33.2% were married couples. In 14.9% of homes, a woman was the head of the household without a husband. About 46.6% of households were not families.

Many people (39.4%) lived alone. About 15.8% of these were people aged 65 or older. On average, there were 1.96 people in each household. The average family size was 2.57 people.

Age and Income

The population of Middleburg had a mix of ages. About 16.9% were under 18. About 29.4% were between 25 and 44 years old. And 21.7% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 44 years.

In 2000, the average income for a household in Middleburg was $40,625. For families, the average income was $60,313. About 9.9% of the town's population lived below the poverty line. This included 10.7% of those under 18 and 10.3% of those 65 or older.

Famous People from Middleburg

Many interesting people have lived in or near Middleburg:

• Charles T. Akre – An investor and businessman.
• Mo Alie-Cox – An American football player.
• Bill Backer – An advertising executive and horse owner.
• Stewart W. Bainum Sr. – A businessman and generous giver.
• Melanie Blunt – A former First Lady of Missouri.
• Marshall Brement – A U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.
• Jack Kent Cooke – A businessman who owned the Washington Redskins football team.
• Robert Duvall – A famous American actor and director.
• Sam Huff – A Hall-of-Fame American football player.
• Rodney Jenkins – A former show jumper (horse rider).
• Sheila Johnson – A billionaire who helped start BET and develops real estate.
• John F. Kennedy – The 35th President of the United States. He and his wife, Jacqueline, built a home nearby.
• Paul Mellon – A generous giver and horse breeder.
• Alice du Pont Mills – An aviator, horse breeder, and environmentalist.
• Keshia Knight Pulliam – An actress known for her role on The Cosby Show.
• Elizabeth Taylor – A famous actress and activist. She owned a farm here with her husband, John Warner.
• Stephanie Zimbalist – An actress known for her role on Remington Steele.

Local News in Middleburg

• Middleburg Eccentric – This is Middleburg's only local newspaper. It is owned and run by people from the town.
• Middleburg Life – This is a monthly magazine and news service. It is Middleburg's oldest local publication. It covers the people, lifestyles, and trends in the countryside.
• Purcellville Gazette – This is a weekly newspaper based in Purcellville. It serves Middleburg and the western part of Loudoun County.

See also

In Spanish: Middleburg (Virginia) para niños