Waverly, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waverly, Virginia
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Downtown Waverly
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Location of Waverly, Virginia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Sussex |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.08 sq mi (7.99 km2) |
| • Land | 3.08 sq mi (7.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 2,149 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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1,953 |
| • Density | 633.06/sq mi (244.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
23890-23891
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| Area code(s) | 804 |
| FIPS code | 51-83600 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1500286 |
Waverly is a small town located in Sussex County, Virginia, United States. In 2010, about 2,149 people lived there.
Contents
History of Waverly
How Waverly Got Its Name
A popular story tells us how Waverly and other nearby towns got their names. William Mahone (1826–1895) was a man who built the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. His wife, Otelia Butler Mahone (1837–1911), was a very educated woman. As they traveled along the new railroad, they named the stations.
Otelia was reading a book called Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. She loved his Scottish stories. From these books, she chose names like Waverly, Windsor, and Wakefield. She even picked "Ivor" for a town in Southampton County from a Scottish clan. If they couldn't agree on a name, they would make one up! That's how the town of Disputanta got its name, which means "dispute" or "argument." The railroad was finished in 1858.
William Mahone's Role
William Mahone became a high-ranking officer, a Major General, in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a Senator in the United States Congress. A large part of U.S. Route 460 is named after him.
Waverly is the second largest town that General Mahone helped to establish. It has also sent many people to serve in the Virginia General Assembly, which is Virginia's state legislature. Some of these important leaders include Junius Edgar West, Thomas H. Howerton, William O. Rogers, Garland "Peck" Gray, and Elmon T. Gray.
Historic Places and Events
Several buildings in Waverly are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Miles B. Carpenter House, Hunting Quarter, and the Waverly Downtown Historic District. These places are important because they show the history and culture of the town.
On February 24, 2016, a strong tornado hit Waverly. This storm caused a lot of damage to the town. It was part of a larger storm system that moved quickly across the region.
Geography of Waverly
Waverly is located at 37°2′2″N 77°5′43″W / 37.03389°N 77.09528°W.
The town covers an area of about 3.1 square miles (which is about 8.0 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the town limits.
People of Waverly
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 170 | — | |
| 1900 | 493 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,064 | 115.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,306 | 22.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,355 | 3.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,288 | −4.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,502 | 16.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,601 | 6.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,717 | 7.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,284 | 33.0% | |
| 1990 | 2,223 | −2.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,309 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 2,149 | −6.9% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 1,953 | −9.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population and Diversity
In 2010, there were 2,149 people living in Waverly. The town is home to people from different backgrounds. About 64.7% of the people were Black, and 29.8% were White. A small number of people were Asian or from two or more races. About 3.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 2000, there were 2,309 people and 880 households in the town. A household means all the people living in one home. About 29.8% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.47 people.
Age Groups
The people in Waverly are of different ages. In 2000, about 25.4% of the population was under 18 years old. About 18.6% of the people were 65 years old or older. The average age in Waverly was 40 years.
Notable People from Waverly
- Garland Gray (1902 - 1977): He was a banker, farmer, and owned a sawmill. He served in the Virginia Senate for many years, from the 1940s to the 1970s.
- Elmon T. Gray (1925 - 2011): He worked with wood, developed real estate, and was a generous person who gave money to good causes. He also served in the Virginia Senate from the 1970s to the 1990s.
- Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty: These famous actors lived in Waverly as young children. Their father, Ira Beaty, was briefly the principal of the local school.
- Miles B. Carpenter: He was a well-known American folk artist. Folk art is art made by ordinary people, often using traditional methods.
See also
In Spanish: Waverly (Virginia) para niños
