Springwood, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Springwood
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 Springwood
Location in Virginia
Springwood
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Botetourt |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Springwood is a small place in Botetourt County, Virginia, in the United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Springwood is found in the northern part of the Roanoke Valley and at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. It's also part of the larger Roanoke Metropolitan Area. A special feature of Springwood is that it sits right next to the James River.
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Discover Springwood's Location and Past
Springwood is located in the northern half of Botetourt County. It sits about halfway between the towns of Buchanan and Fincastle. The area is mostly rural, meaning it has lots of open land and farms. Springwood Road is the main road that runs through the community.
Nature's Influence on Springwood
The landscape around Springwood is shaped by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The James River also flows very close to the historic center of the community. These natural features make Springwood a unique place to visit and live.
How Springwood Got Its Name
Before it was called Springwood, this area had two other names: Hickory and Jackson. A local resident, Lynwood Hayth, explained in 1978 why the name changed. He said the place was sometimes called Jackson to honor Andrew Jackson, a former U.S. President.
The name was changed to Springwood because of a funny mistake. In the past, people in this area canned a lot of tomatoes. One time, the railroad accidentally sent the tomato cans to Jackson, Kentucky, instead of Springwood. To avoid future mix-ups, the name was officially changed to Springwood.
What Springwood Used to Be Like
Springwood once had its own post office and a small downtown area. This downtown was located along Springwood Road. Today, most of those old buildings are gone. What remains are a few churches and an Odd Fellows Lodge. The Odd Fellows is a friendly organization that helps people in their communities.
Fun Activities in Springwood
Springwood is well-known for its water sports. Because it's right on the James River, it's a popular spot for many river activities.
- Fishing: Many people enjoy fishing in the James River near Springwood.
- Canoeing and Kayaking: It's a great place for canoeing and kayaking. There's even a special route that connects Springwood to nearby Arcadia and Buchanan.
There is also a small airport and a glider strip in Springwood. It's located on a hill that looks over the James River. Small local flights often take off and land here. The Springwood area is also a popular spot for hunting deer and turkey. This is because the area has many fields, farmlands, and woods.
Learning in Springwood: Schools and Education
Students in Springwood attend schools that are part of the Botetourt County Public Schools system.
James River High School
The community is home to James River High School. Even though the school is in Springwood, its mailing address is Buchanan. This is because Springwood no longer has its own post office.
Elementary and Middle Schools
Younger students living in Springwood go to one of two elementary schools:
- Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle
- Buchanan Elementary School in Buchanan
After elementary school, students attend Central Academy Middle School. This middle school is also located in Fincastle. After middle school, they move on to James River High School.
