Thaxton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thaxton, Virginia
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 Thaxton, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Thaxton, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Bedford |
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
24174 (Thaxton)
24523 (Bedford) |
| Area code(s) | 540 and 826 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1493697 |
Thaxton is a small community in western Bedford County, Virginia, United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather an "unincorporated community." Thaxton is located right along U.S. Route 460, between the towns of Bedford and Montvale. It is also part of the larger Lynchburg area.
Contents
Thaxton's Past
Thaxton has some interesting history. The Thomas Methodist Episcopal Chapel is a historic building in the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, meaning it's an important place to protect.
A very serious train accident happened near Thaxton on July 2, 1889. Heavy rains had washed away part of the train tracks. A passenger train went off the rails, causing many injuries and deaths. This was one of the worst train accidents in Virginia's history. Years later, a special marker was placed near the accident site in 2015 to remember what happened.
Learning in Thaxton
Students living in Thaxton attend schools run by Bedford County Public Schools. Depending on where they live, younger students go to either Bedford Elementary School or Montvale Elementary School. Older students attend Liberty Middle School and Liberty High School.
There used to be a Thaxton Elementary School, but it closed in 2015. The building was later sold to a private business. For students interested in college, a branch of Central Virginia Community College is nearby in Bedford.
Community Services
Public Safety
The Bedford County Sheriff's Office helps keep the community safe. Fire protection is provided by the Bedford Fire Department and the Montvale Volunteer Fire Department. If someone needs medical help, the Montvale Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Bedford County Department of Fire and Rescue are there to assist.
Transportation
Thaxton is connected by several ways to get around.
By Air
The closest small airport for general use is the New London Airport. For bigger flights, the Lynchburg Regional Airport and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport offer commercial flights.
By Road
Two important U.S. Routes pass through or near Thaxton:
U.S. Route 221
U.S. Route 460
By Rail
The Norfolk Southern Blue Ridge District train line runs through Thaxton. If you want to catch a passenger train, the closest stations are in Roanoke and Lynchburg.
