Woodford, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woodford, Virginia
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Unincorporated community
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 Woodford, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Woodford, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Caroline |
| Elevation | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
22580
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| Area code(s) | 804 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1500344 |
Woodford is a small, unincorporated community in Caroline County, Virginia. This means it is a group of homes and businesses that are not part of a city or town government. It is mainly found along Route 626, northwest of Bowling Green.
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History of Woodford
Early Days and the Railroad
Woodford started as a place called Downer's Crossing. This was a spot where people could cross the Mattaponi River. In October 1836, the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad arrived. This railroad helped the area grow.
By 1837, the community was known as Woodford's Lane. If people wanted to catch a train, they had to wave a handkerchief during the day. At night, they would wave a light. The train usually did not stop there unless someone signaled it.
How Woodford Grew
With the railroad, a general store, and a post office, Woodford slowly started to grow. In the early 1900s, about 30 people lived there. By 1925, the population had grown to over a hundred.
A big reason for this growth was a mill. This mill made a product called excelsior. Excelsior is like wood shavings made from soft pine trees. It was used for many things:
- Packing furniture and fragile items for shipping.
- Stuffing cushions for cars.
- Making gypsum wall boards stronger.
Naming Woodford
A post office opened in Woodford in 1874. The community was named after William Woodford. He was an important general during the American Revolutionary War.
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad used to stop here. Later, CSXT took over the railroad lines.
Historic Places in Woodford
A historic home called Edge Hill is located in Woodford. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
