Stuarts Draft, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stuarts Draft
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Location in Virginia
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 Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Augusta |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29.31 sq mi (75.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,421 ft (433 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,142 |
| • Density | 165.4/sq mi (63.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24477
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
| FIPS code | 51-76272 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1500184 |
Stuarts Draft is a special community in Augusta County, Virginia. It is called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a place that the government counts for population, but it is not officially a city or town. Stuarts Draft is located in Virginia, near the South River. In 2020, about 12,142 people lived here.
Long ago, Stuarts Draft was mostly a farming area. Today, it is also home to many factories and businesses. Big companies like Hershey and McKee Foods have plants here. You can still see farms with cattle grazing next to these large buildings.
Contents
Exploring Stuarts Draft's History
Early Days and Native American Life
Before European settlers arrived, the Shawnee people lived in this area. Other tribes, like the Delaware and Catawba, also visited often. When the first European settlers came in 1732, these tribes were sometimes in conflict.
Settlers Arrive and Build a Community
In 1736, a man named William Beverly received a large land grant. He sold parts of this land to new settlers. Archibald Stuart, a Scotch Presbyterian, arrived in 1738. He helped start the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in 1744. His land became known as the Pratt Farm. Many other families also bought land and began to build homes.
Farming Life in Stuarts Draft
The early settlers worked hard to clear land for farming. They grew crops like hemp, corn, wheat, and flax. Hemp was a very important crop. It was used to make ropes for ships. Robert Stuart even had a mill in Stuarts Draft.
Archibald Stuart's son, Thomas, bought more land in 1749. This land was near the South River. It had a small valley, which people called a "draft." This is how the name "Stuarts Draft" began.
Growth and the Post Office
For many years, the roads were not very good. People traveled by horseback or sleds. Stuarts Draft did not get a post office until 1837. It was in Thomas Stuart's old cabin. This is when the name Stuarts Draft became official for the community.
Transportation and Trade
In the 1850s, the Howardsville Turnpike was built. This road helped farmers take their crops to trade posts. They could travel to Howardsville, Virginia, to trade wheat for things like flour and sugar. Later, in 1882, the Shenandoah Valley Railroad came to Stuarts Draft. This connected the community to bigger cities like Roanoke. The railroad brought more growth and made Stuarts Draft a busy farming center.
New Businesses and Services
Stuarts Draft saw many new businesses open. In 1856, the first doctor, James M. Watson, arrived. Stores like C. H. Cohron's Store and J. B. McChesney Store opened near the railroad. A barrel factory and a chair factory also started in 1895. The first telephones were working by 1897. The People's Bank opened in 1907.
Education and Community Life
The first school in Stuarts Draft was built before the Civil War. It was a one-room schoolhouse. Later, a new school was built and expanded. In 1906, Stuarts Draft School was the first in Augusta County to have a nine-month school year.
Modern Industry Comes to Stuarts Draft
In the 1940s, some German-speaking Old Order Amish families moved to Stuarts Draft. In the 1960s, the community began to grow with modern industries. Companies like Draftco and NIBCO opened factories. Later, Hollister Incorporated, Ply Gem, Rexnord, The Hershey Company, and McKee Foods also built facilities here. This growth brought many new jobs and people to Stuarts Draft.
Geography and Natural Wonders
Stuarts Draft is in the southeastern part of Augusta County. It sits on the northwestern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area is part of the Shenandoah Valley, known for its rich, fertile soil. This makes it great for farming.
Stuarts Draft is about eight miles south of Staunton. It is also seven miles southwest of Waynesboro. The area covers about 29.31 square miles (75.9 km2). It includes important waterways like Christians Creek and the South River.
Exploring the George Washington National Forest
The George Washington National Forest borders Stuarts Draft to the south. This forest is full of different kinds of trees, like oak, ash, and maple. You can also find many animals here, such as black bears, deer, and red foxes. The streams in the forest are home to native brook trout.
Ponds and Special Plants
Stuarts Draft has several natural and man-made ponds. Lake Wilda and Green Pond are natural ponds. The Maple Flats Ponds were built for migrating birds. Today, they are stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish for fishing.
There were once special cranberry bogs in the area. These bogs were home to rare plants and orchids. One famous bog was changed to create Shenandoah Acres. Because of this, many of these special plants disappeared from the area.
The Cowbane Natural Area Preserve protects 147 acres (0.59 km2) of unique wetlands. These areas are important for preserving rare plants and habitats.
Stuarts Draft's Climate
Stuarts Draft has warm and humid summers. Winters are cold and can be snowy. Temperatures usually range from 26°F to 86°F. It rarely gets colder than 11°F or hotter than 93°F.
| Climate data for Stuarts Draft, Virginia | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high | 44 °F (7 °C) | 47 °F (8 °C) | 56 °F (13 °C) | 66 °F (19 °C) | 74 °F (23 °C) | 82 °F (28 °C) | 85 °F (29 °C) | 83 °F (28 °C) | 77 °F (25 °C) | 67 °F (19 °C) | 56 °F (13 °C) | 47 °F (8 °C) | |
| Daily mean | 34 °F (1 °C) | 37 °F (3 °C) | 45 °F (7 °C) | 55 °F (13 °C) | 63 °F (17 °C) | 72 °F (22 °C) | 75 °F (24 °C) | 73 °F (23 °C) | 67 °F (19 °C) | 56 °F (13 °C) | 46 °F (8 °C) | 37 °F (3 °C) | |
| Average low | 27 °F (−3 °C) | 28 °F (−2 °C) | 35 °F (2 °C) | 44 °F (7 °C) | 53 °F (12 °C) | 62 °F (17 °C) | 65 °F (18 °C) | 64 °F (18 °C) | 57 °F (14 °C) | 46 °F (8 °C) | 36 °F (2 °C) | 30 °F (−1 °C) | |
| Average precipitation | 2.3 in (58 mm) | 2.4 in (61 mm) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | 3.5 in (89 mm) | 3.5 in (89 mm) | 3.2 in (81 mm) | 3.6 in (91 mm) | 3.2 in (81 mm) | 3.6 in (91 mm) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | 2.9 in (74 mm) | 36.7 in (930 mm) |
| Average snowfall | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.8 in (170 mm) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | 0.1 in (2.5 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 0.0 in (0 mm) | 1.0 in (25 mm) | 4.6 in (120 mm) | 21.2 in (540 mm) |
People and Community Life
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 448 | — | |
| 1980 | 1,776 | — | |
| 1990 | 5,067 | 185.3% | |
| 2000 | 8,367 | 65.1% | |
| 2010 | 9,235 | 10.4% | |
| 2020 | 12,142 | 31.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Stuarts Draft had a population of 12,142 people. Most residents are white, with smaller groups of Black, Asian, and Native American people, and those of two or more races. About 51.7% of the population is female and 48.3% is male.
Many people in Stuarts Draft are high school graduates. About 20.5% have a college degree or higher. There are nearly 5,000 households in the community.
Economy and Jobs
Stuarts Draft has a strong economy. In 2020, the average household income was $75,788. Most adults over sixteen years old are employed.
Stuarts Draft is known for its manufacturing and distribution companies. These businesses like the area because it is close to major highways. It also has a good workforce.
Major Employers in Stuarts Draft
- Draftco Inc. started in Stuarts Draft in 1965. It is a machine and fabrication shop.
- NIBCO opened its plant in 1969. They make parts for controlling liquid flow.
- Hollister Incorporated started its facility in 1979. They make medical devices.
- Ply Gem and Rexnord also moved to Stuarts Draft in the 1970s.
- The Hershey Company opened its second-largest U.S. manufacturing plant here in 1980. It employs over 1,300 people. In 2022, some employees voted on forming a union to improve working conditions, but the vote did not pass.
- McKee Foods arrived in 1990. They make Little Debbie snack cakes and employ about 1,000 people.
- The Target Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center is a very large building. It helps distribute products for Target stores.
- The Plant Company opened a large greenhouse in 2019. They grow houseplants for Proven Winners.
| Rank | Business | Number of employees | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hershey Chocolate of Virginia | 1,300 and over | |
| 2 | Target Distribution Center | 1,000 and over | |
| 3 | McKee Foods Corporation | 500 to 999 | |
| 4 | Hollister | 500 to 999 | |
| 5 | NIBCO of Virginia | 250 to 499 | |
| 6 | McKee Foods Transportation | 100 to 249 | |
| 7 | Rexford Industries | 50 to 99 |
Arts and Culture in Stuarts Draft
Fun Events and Festivals
Sweet Dreams is a popular family festival. It takes place every summer in Stuarts Draft Park. It has been a community favorite since about 2004.
Historic Buildings and Architecture
Stuarts Draft has a historic area along Draft Avenue. You can see old buildings like the Kube Blacksmith Shop (from 1928) and the Etter Funeral Home (from 1895). The Shenvalee Farmhouse (from 1890) is a beautiful Victorian-style house.
Two important properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Bare House was built around 1857. It is a brick house with Greek Revival and Italianate style. Its old stone mill, now in ruins, operated from 1795 to 1850.
- The Harper House is another historic brick house from the mid-1800s. It is also in the Italianate style.
Places of Worship
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Stuarts Draft has many churches. These include Calvary United Methodist Church, Finley Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Stuarts Draft Baptist Church. There are also several Mennonite and other Christian churches.
Sports and Recreation
Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks Baseball
Stuarts Draft has a summer baseball team called the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks. They play at The Diamond Club. The team is part of the Rockingham County Baseball League. They have won championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
- Kate Schneider Park has three lit baseball fields and one unlit field. It also has a pavilion and a large horseshoes court.
- Friendship Park offers a single lit baseball field.
- Stuarts Draft Park opened in 2004. This 13-acre (0.05 km2) park has a swimming pool, an amphitheater, baseball fields, picnic shelters, a playground, and walking trails.
Shenandoah Acres Resort
Shenandoah Acres was a very popular resort from 1935 to 2004. It was known as "America's Finest Inland Beach." It had campsites, cabins, horseback riding, tennis courts, and a swimming lake. It reopened in 2015 as Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley. The new owners added more campsites and an arcade. It is the largest recreation area in the George Washington National Forest.
Stuarts Draft Library
The Stuarts Draft Library opened in October 2017. It is part of the Augusta County Library system.
Government and Education
Local Government
Stuarts Draft is governed by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. The community's representative is chosen from the South River Magisterial District.
Schools in Stuarts Draft
Stuarts Draft has several public schools. These are part of the Augusta County Schools system.
- Guy K. Stump Elementary School
- Stuarts Draft Elementary School
- Stuarts Draft Middle School
- Stuarts Draft High School
Other schools serving the expanded area include Beverley Manor Middle School, Riverheads Elementary School, and Riverheads High School.
There are also private schools in Stuarts Draft. These include Pilgrim Christian School and Ridgeview Christian School.
Infrastructure and Services
Getting Around: Transportation
- Public Transit: The Brite Bus offers public transportation. The Stuarts Draft Link connects the community to Fishersville, Waynesboro, and other important places.
- Major Roads: U.S. Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) is a main road. Stuarts Draft is also close to Interstate 81 and Interstate 64.
Staying Healthy: Health Care
Stuarts Draft has many doctors' offices. These include clinics linked to the University of Virginia Health System and Augusta Health. The closest hospital is Augusta Health in Fishersville. It is a 255-bed facility.
Essential Services: Utilities
The Augusta County Service Authority provides public water and sewer services. Dominion Energy and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative supply electricity to the area.
Notable People from Stuarts Draft
- Shonn Bell, a professional football player
- John Colter, who was part of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition
- George Harris, a professional wrestler
- James Patton, an early merchant and soldier
- Susan Swecker, who chairs the Democratic Party of Virginia
- Brian Whitesell, a NASCAR team manager
- Kenneth R. Whitesell, a vice admiral in the United States Navy
See also
In Spanish: Stuarts Draft (Virginia) para niños
