Wise County, Virginia facts for kids

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Wise County

U.S. county

Wise County Courthouse in Wise

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Virginia

Virginia's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Virginia

Founded

1856

Largest town

Area

• Total

405 sq mi (1,050 km²)

• Land

403 sq mi (1,040 km²)

• Water

2 sq mi (5 km²) 0.5%

Population

(2020)

• Total

36,130

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

9th

Wise County is a county located in the state of Virginia, in the United States. It was created in 1856 from parts of Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties. The county was named after Henry A. Wise, who was the Governor of Virginia when it was formed. The main town and county seat is Wise.

History of Wise County

Early Inhabitants and Explorers

The land that is now Wise County was first settled by the Cherokee people. They moved into the area between 1671 and 1685. Later, other Native American groups like the Six Nations and the Shawnee also claimed the land. In 1786, Cherokee and Shawnee hunting groups fought a big battle near the Clinch River. The Cherokee won, but both sides lost many people.

The first European explorers to visit this area were likely Thomas Walker and Christopher Gist in 1750. Settlers began building forts along the Clinch River starting in 1774. It was not until 1794, after a Cherokee leader named Bob Benge was killed, that the area was considered safe for white settlers to live in. One of the first settlers in the county was William Wells around 1792.

Coal Mining and Growth

In the 1880s, coal became very important in Wise County. The Stonega Coke and Coal Company (SC&C) was started in Appalachia, Virginia. Many people moved to the area to find work in the coal mines. These new residents included African Americans, as well as immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Hungary.

Modern Developments

Wise County is home to two state prisons: Red Onion State Prison, which opened in 1998, and Wallens Ridge State Prison, which opened in 1999.

In 2012, a power plant called the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center was built in Wise County. This plant uses a mix of 80% coal and up to 20% biomass (plant material) to create energy.

Geography and Nature

Powell Valley, as viewed from Benge's Gap

Wise County covers about 405 square miles. Most of this area, about 403 square miles, is land, and 2 square miles is water. The county is part of the Appalachian Mountains. It has many mountains and valleys, including the peak of High Knob and Powell Valley.

Neighboring Areas

Wise County shares borders with several other counties and one independent city:

Letcher County, Kentucky (to the northwest)
Pike County, Kentucky (to the north)
Dickenson County (to the northeast)
Russell County (to the east)
Scott County (to the south)
Lee County (to the southwest)
Harlan County, Kentucky (to the west)
Norton, Virginia (an independent city completely surrounded by Wise County)

Main Roads

Major roads that run through Wise County include:

U.S. Route 23
U.S. Route 58 Alternate
State Route 63
State Route 72
State Route 83

Protected Natural Areas

A part of the Jefferson National Forest is located within Wise County. This forest offers many chances to enjoy nature.

Education in Wise County

Public Schools

Wise County Public Schools manages thirteen school buildings for students in the county. In 2011, the school board combined six high schools into three larger ones. These are Union High (serving the western part), Central High (serving the central and northern parts), and Eastside High (serving the eastern part).

Private Schools

Wise County Christian School is a private school in the county.

Colleges and Universities

Students in Wise County can attend:

University of Virginia's College at Wise, located in Wise
Mountain Empire Community College, located in Big Stone Gap

Media and News

Newspapers

The Clinch Valley Times is a weekly newspaper for Castlewood and St. Paul, Virginia.
The Coalfield Progress is published twice a week and covers news throughout the county.
The Post is a weekly newspaper for Big Stone Gap, Virginia and nearby areas.

Radio Stations

Several radio stations broadcast in Wise County, including:

WAXM
WDXC
WGCK-FM
WISE-FM (which plays programs from WVTF)
WLSD
WNVA (AM)
WQSN

Fun Things to Do in Wise County

Outdoor Adventures

High Knob Observation Tower

Wise County is a great place for outdoor activities. A large part of the Jefferson National Forest is here, and the Clinch River flows through the county. Because it's in the Appalachian Mountains, there are many chances to explore nature.

You can find many trails that connect to the Appalachian Trail system. There are also several parks, like Miners' Park in Big Stone Gap and the Louis E. Henegar Miners' Memorial Park in Appalachia.

One special place is High Knob, a mountain that once had one of the last fire towers in the Appalachians. Another unique spot is the Wetlands Estonoa Project, which is an Appalachian Wetland and part of the Clinch River Watershed.

Theater and Arts

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is an outdoor play performed in Big Stone Gap, Virginia during the summer. It is Virginia's official outdoor drama.
The Pro-Art Association offers many plays, concerts, and art events throughout the school year. Its main office is in Wise.
The Wise County Summer Academy of Art provides art programs for children in the summer.
The Appalachian Children's Theater (ACT) helps kids learn about performing and fine arts. In 2006, ACT opened its new building in Downtown Wise.
The Charles W. Harris Art Gallery is located at the Wise County Public Library in Wise.

Festivals and Fairs

Wise County hosts many fun events throughout the year:

"Clinch River Days" celebrates mountain heritage each spring in St. Paul.
The Best Friend Festival is held every year in Norton.
The Virginia-Kentucky District Fair takes place each summer in Wise.
The Wise County Famous Fall Fling is an annual event in Downtown Wise.
Coeburn holds its annual Guest River Rally during the Labor Day weekend in September.
Appalachia Coal Railroad Days is held each summer in Appalachia.
Pound Heritage Days takes place annually the week before Labor Day in Pound.
The Dock Boggs Oldtime Music Festival is held in September at the Country Cabin in Norton.
Mountain Craft Days is held in October at Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap.
The RTE 23 Music Festival is held at the end of August at the University of Virginia's College at Wise.

Historical Places

You can visit many historical sites in Wise County:

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
Wise County Courthouse
High Knob Lookout Tower
Colonial Hotel
E. M. Fulton House
Derby Historic District

Sports Activities

Lonesome Pine Raceway is a place for racing events.
The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVa-Wise) hosts many college sports games. These include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and softball.

Communities in Wise County

The independent city of Norton is located within Wise County, but it is not part of the county itself.

Towns in Wise County

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as towns:

Big Stone Gap East
Dunbar
East Stone Gap
Osaka
Riverview
Stonega
Tacoma
University of Virginia's College at Wise

Famous People from Wise County

Many notable people have come from Wise County, including:

Carroll Dale – A football player for the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.
John Fox Jr. – A journalist and writer.
Napoleon Hill – A well-known author of self-help books.
A. Linwood Holton – The 61st Governor of Virginia.
Julius Jones – A football running back for the Dallas Cowboys and other teams.
Thomas Jones – An actor and former football running back.
Holly Kiser – The first winner of the TV show Make Me a Supermodel.
Glen Roberts – An early basketball player known for using the "jump shot."
George C. Scott – A famous actor, director, and producer, known for playing General George S. Patton in the movie Patton.
Ralph Stanley – A well-known Bluegrass artist, famous for his singing and banjo playing.
Adriana Trigiani – An author, television writer, and film director.