Mount Clifton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Clifton, Virginia
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The former Methodist church sits in the center of the rural village.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Shenandoah |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.4 sq mi (1.036 km2) |
| • Land | 0.38 sq mi (0.9842002 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.0517998 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 110 |
| • Density | 280/sq mi (106/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 51-04928 |
Mount Clifton is a small community in Shenandoah County, Virginia, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. In 2020, about 110 people lived here. It's a quiet village that has a rich history as a busy stop for travelers.
Contents
The Story of Mount Clifton
Mount Clifton likely got its name because it sits on a high spot overlooking Mill Creek. It was founded in the mid-1800s by George Hammon and his sons. They were important to the early community. They built and ran a store, a flour mill, a saw mill, and a blacksmith shop. These businesses helped the community grow.
A Busy Travel Stop
Soon after the Hammons arrived, a major road called the Howard's Lick Turnpike opened. This road connected Mount Jackson to Orkney Springs and West Virginia. Mount Clifton became a popular rest stop for many visitors. People traveling to resorts in Orkney Springs or West Virginia would often stop here. A special building called a toll house was even built in Mount Clifton.
Community Life in the Past
Like many small towns, Mount Clifton developed important places for its residents. These included:
- The Mount Clifton Methodist Church, built in 1884.
- The Mount Clifton Store, built around 1900.
- The Mount Clifton School, which first opened in 1852.
- The Mount Clifton Odd-Fellows, a local group organized in the early 1800s.
- The Mount Clifton Mill, which started operating in 1813.
- The Mount Clifton Post Office, which opened in 1850 and was located inside the local store.
Mount Clifton Today
Over time, the commercial activities in Mount Clifton slowly stopped. The Mount Clifton Post Office closed its doors in 1900. Both the mill and the school shut down in the mid-1940s. The last remaining store closed a few decades later. The church also closed in 2020. Today, many of the buildings that once made up this busy community are either abandoned or have been taken down.
