Thaxton is an unincorporated community in western Bedford County, Virginia, United States. The community is located along U.S. Route 460 between Bedford and Montvale. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Thaxton, Virginia | |
|---|---|
  Thaxton, Virginia  Thaxton, Virginia | |
| Coordinates: 37°21′11″N 79°36′59″W / 37.35306°N 79.61639°W | |
| 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[1] |
History
editThomas Methodist Episcopal Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.[2]
Thaxton was the site of a deadly train accident on July 2, 1889 that killed at least 18 and injured 21.[3] The accident, caused when a passenger train derailed over a section of track that had been washed away by unusually heavy rains, was one of the deadliest railroad accidents in Virginia's history.[4] A memorial was erected later that year in Cleveland, Tennessee in memory of three of the victims, all from prominent families in that city, who were on their way to attend the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.[5] A historical marker was placed near the site of the accident in 2015.[6]
Government
editThe United States Postal Service operates the Thaxton Post Office within the community, although portions of the community have a Bedford ZIP Code.
Education
editThe community is served by Bedford County Public Schools. Public school students residing in Thaxton are zoned to attend either Bedford Elementary School or Montvale Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, and Liberty High School. Thaxton Elementary School, an elementary school operated by Bedford County Public Schools, previously served the community before being closed in 2015. The former school site was sold to a private business in 2017.
A branch campus of Central Virginia Community College in nearby Bedford is the closest higher education institution to the community.
Infrastructure
editThe transmitter for the Lynchburg-Roanoke market ABC television network affiliate WSET-TV is located approximately 2.8 miles SSE of the community center.
Public safety
editLaw enforcement is provided by the Bedford County Sheriff's Office. Fire protection is provided by the Bedford Fire Department and Montvale Volunteer Fire Department. Emergency medical services are provided by the Montvale Volunteer Rescue Squad and Bedford County Department of Fire and Rescue.
Transportation
editAir
editThe New London Airport is the closest public-use airport to the community. The Lynchburg Regional Airport and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport are the closest airports with commercial service to the community.
Highways
edit
U.S. Route 221 (West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike)
U.S. Route 460 (West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike)
Rail
editThe Norfolk Southern Blue Ridge District runs through the community. The closest passenger rail service is located in Roanoke and Lynchburg.
References
edit- ^ "Thaxton". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Casey, Dan (May 20, 2015). "Dan Casey: A new sign marks site of 1889 train wreck in Thaxton". The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, Virginia. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
- ^ Casey, Dan (October 13, 2014). "Casey: A long-forgotten train wreck is remembered". The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, Virginia. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
- ^ Green, Alex (July 5, 2015). "Two towns rediscover deadly 1889 train wreck after a coed knocks down 125-year-old monument in Cleveland". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
- ^ Graves, Brian (May 20, 2015). "'The Day Cleveland Cried'". Cleveland Daily Banner. Cleveland, Tennessee. Retrieved 2019-10-07.