Lynchburg Virginia
“City of Seven Hills”
Town of Lynchburg VA
Lynchburg is located in the eastern foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River. Lynchburg is known as the, “City of Seven Hills”. Lynchburg offers a downtown scene, unique architecture, attractions, shopping, local restaurants, and premier accommodations. Lynchburg is a historic city filled with adventure, entertainment, culture, and relaxing recreation.
Lynchburg’s downtown districts has many locally owned coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping. Take a walk along the river on the Bluffwalk, grab some lunch at the community market, visit the Amazement Square with the family, take a bike ride, view history at the museum or see performing arts at the Academy Center of the Arts. Lynchburg has an abundance of activities and things to do for everyone of all ages.
History of Lynchburg VA
Lynchburg has been inhabited since 1270 by the Monocan people and the Siouan Tutelo tribes long before English settlers. In 1757 Lyncburg was settled by and named for its founder John Lynch who started a ferry service across the James River to New London, when he was 17 years old. After the canal was built Lynchburg became a commercial, tobacco, and industrial center until the railroad ceased water transportation. Lynchburg was incorporated as a city in 1852.
During the Civil War, the city of Lynchburg served as a Confederate transportation hub and supply depot, and hospital center. By the end of the war most of the railroads were destroyed by occupying forces.
In the Late 19th century Lynchburg embraced manufacturing being nicknamed the “Pittsburgh of the South”. In 1880 James Albert invented the first cigarette rolling machine. Another invention in the area came from a physician by mass marketing the first over-the-counter enema. In 1888 the Lynchburg Cotton Mill and Craddock-Terry Shoe companies became the largest manufacturing in the South.
In the early 1900s Lynchburg founded many educational institutions such as the Virginia University of Lynchburg, Randolph-Macon women’s college, and Sweet Briar College, Lynchburg College which became the University of Lyncburg in 2018, and Liberty University formerly known as Lynchburg Baptist College. Education along with the growth of college apartments has contributed to the revitalization and economic growth of Lynchburg creating the city of adventure and learning it is today.
