Lawrenceville, Virginia One Place Study
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Location: Lawrenceville, Brunswick, Virginia, United States
Surnames/tags: One_Place_Studies Virginia United_States
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Lawrenceville, Virginia One Place Study
When you visit Lawrenceville VA, county seat of Brunswick, you may notice people talk about one thing a lot....Brunswick Stew. Don't get us mixed up with Brunswick GA.
THIS IS US NOT THEM:
Welcome to Brunswick County!
The Original Home of Brunswick Stew
Name
T he Town of Lawrenceville was created officially by an act of the General Assembly on January 22, 1814. Legend has it that the name was inspired by a famous racehorse, Lawrence, owned by a prosperous landowner who had built a nearby race track at the end of the eighteenth century. Incorporation for the Town of Lawrenceville was achieved in 1874. Establishment of the Atlantic and Danville Shops in Lawrenceville provided the town with a significant industrial base. The town continued as the major market center for the rich agricultural areas of Brunswick County as evidenced by the tobacco warehouses, cotton gins, creameries, etc. which came and went during the first half of the twentieth century. In 1888 James Solomon Russell established a parish school for black children. By 1893 the school was incorporated and became the Saint Paul’s Normal and Industrial School, then Saint Paul’s College in 1957. Three of the original buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. During the depression years of the 1930’s, federal funds were used to build a baseball field and a swimming pool. The baseball field, now known as Sonny Wholey Memorial Park, remains in use. The core area of Lawrenceville is a State Historic District, so designated by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 1999.
Geography
- Continent: North America
- Country: United States of America
- State/Province: Virginia
- County: Brunswick
- GPS Coordinates: 36.758333, -77.850556
- Elevation: 79.0 m or 259.1 feet
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles all of it land.
History
Lawrenceville Historic District (DHR ID 251-5001), located in Brunswick County, Virginia, was originally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1999. The original nomination form identified nine areas of significance for the district including Architecture, Archaeology (modern industrial), Commerce, Education, Entertainment/Recreation, Ethnic Heritage (Black), Law/ Politics/ Government[1], Religion, and Transportation, with a period of significance spanning from 1784 to 1949.
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| Lawrenceville Historic District Location Map |
LOVEwork
As you may know Virginia is for Lovers! Where ever you go in the state you may see signs of LOVEwork, Lawrenceville is no exception. The Brunswick County LOVEwork is located on the lawn at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center on Fort Christana Highway in Lawrenceville VA. The first ever Brunswick LOVEwork was unveiled at a special ceremony hosted by the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors in April 2019.
L -(wood) represents the prominent timber and forestry industry found in Brunswick County (Wood donated by Lawrenceville Building Supply)
O- (stew pot) represents Brunswick as the original home of Brunswick Stew
V- (tobacco leaves) Brunswick has a strong presence in agriculture
E- (brick) represents brick which can be found throughout our historic structures in downtown Lawrenceville, and represents our long term commercial industry that calls Brunswick home, Lawrenceville Brick. (Brick donated by Lawrenceville Brick/Redland Brick)
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| Lawrenceville VA LOVEworks |
Population
Lawrenceville is a very small community and as you can see by the chart, getting smaller.
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| 1990-2020 Population |
Schools
- Brunswick County Public Schools
- Brunswick Academy
- Saint Pauls College
Churches
- First Baptist Church
18585 Christanna Hwy, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
- Lawrenceville Baptist Church
304 S Hicks St, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
- Poplar Mt Baptist Church
6823 Western Mill Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-4230
- Lawrenceville United Methodist
300 W Church St, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-1707
- James Square Baptist Church
9440 Christanna Hwy, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-4521
- Liberty Church
3381 Planters Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2831
- Tabernacle Zion Church
602 S Hicks St, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2124
- Philadelphia United Methodist
6072 Triplet Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
- Brunswick United Methodist Ch
92 County Pond Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-3116
- Jeruselum Ruza Church
9777 Christanna Hwy, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-4524
- Olive Branch Rzua Church
1699 Sturgeon Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2913
- Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
3238 Poor House Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2724
- Well Christian Fellowship
110 E Hicks St, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-1805
- Cedar Grove Baptist Church
172 Cedar Grove Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-3425
- Lawrenceville United Methodist Church
114 W 6th Ave, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2106
- Philadelphia United Methodist
3717 Triplet Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-4303
- St Luke Church-God & Christ
18680 Christanna Hwy, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-2606
Places of Interest
• Brunswick County Courthouse Square (downtown)
• Brunswick County Museum (on courthouse square)
• Downtown Lawrenceville (Main and Hicks St.)
• Fire Alarm Bell (municipal building grounds)
• Fort Christanna Historical Site (Fort Hill Rd.)
• Lawrenceville Methodist Church (W. Church St.)
• Oakwood Cemetery (W. 5th Ave. and Belt Rd.)
• Saint Paul’s College Campus (downtown)
• Sonny Wholey Memorial Park (downtown)
• South Main Street (between Main St. and town limits)
• St. Andrews Episcopal Church (W. Church St.)
• Windsor Avenue (between W. Church St. and town limits)
• Tobacco Heritage Trail
• Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail
• Meherrin River, a State Scenic River
• County Park at Great Creek Watershed
Fun Facts
•Dr. Walter Reed, who discovered a cure for yellow fever, once lived in Lawrenceville.
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| Sir Walter Reed |
• The great American writer Edgar Allen Poe spent
much of one summer in Brunswick County and
composed a small book of writings while here.
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| Poe |
• Bishop Phillip Brooks of New York who wrote the hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” stayed with Mrs. Pattie Hicks Buford of Lawrenceville and was so moved by her selfless service to indigent blacks that he wrote the fourth verse to that song.
• General Starke, a famous Confederate General, is buried near Lawrenceville.
• The St. Louis Cardinals had a Class D minor league baseball team in Lawrenceville for two years (1948-49). The ballpark remains in use.
• The first Brunswick Stew was cooked in Brunswick County on a hunting trip by Jimmy Matthews, the retainer to Dr. Creed Haskins.
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| My Stuff Image 20 |
• The first stud book in America was created in Brunswick County by James Harrison at “Diamond Grove” farm which remains in use.
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| Throroughbred in Brunswick Co Virginia |
• Brunswick County has been invaded by “enemy” forces twice, Lawrenceville once. Courthouse records were saved because the invading commander and Court Clerk were Masons.
• Albertis Harrison, former Governor of Virginia, began his career as the town attorney.
• In the day when blacks in Virginia had no access to a seminary education, such an education was given to a slave, James Soloman Russell, later Archdeacon Russell, who founded Saint Paul’s College in 1888 and about fifteen other Episcopal Churches. Pattie Hicks Buford of Lawrenceville was instrumental in obtaining the seminary education for Archdeacon Russell.
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| James Solomon Russell |
Must Visit
1. Brunswick Museum & Historical Society
Founded in 1990, what was once a library, is now a museum that holds many artifacts and is still gaining them from donors. The purpose of the Brunswick Museum & Historical Society, Inc. (BM&HS) is to identify and preserve the cultural and natural history of Brunswick County, Virginia.
228 N Main St, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
2. Brunswick Byways Visitors Center
Brunswick County was awarded the Southern Economic Development grant from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and the National Scenic Byways project grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to redevelop the former International Paper Company commercial site to serve as the Brunswick Byways Visitors Center with interpretive displays, maps, brochures, and other amenities.
Completed in October 2017, the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center serves and informs the traveling public on the County's two Virginia Byways – Christanna Highway (Hwy 46) and Lake Gaston Byway (Highways 903/626), Native AmericanByways Visitors Center display heritage, Colonial American “frontier” history, Civil War history, early American religious history, natural resources and assets, and agricultural economy. Visitors will find two and three-dimensional exhibits, graphics, artifact cases, hands-on interactive exhibits, a short informational film, and brochures and maps to help direct travelers to the County's many attractions.
13516 Christanna Hwy Lawrenceville, Virginia 23868
3. Fort Christanna Historical Site
Fort Christanna Historical Site is a 25-acre site designed to provide a historical overview of the fort established by Governor Alexander Spotswood in 1714. The site includes information kiosks, garden area, a cannon, and a wilderness walking trail. There is no charge to visit this site. The site is maintained by the Brunswick Museum & Historical Society and is open year-round.
1000 Fort Hill Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
4. Rosenwald Schools Brunswick County has two Rosenwald schools, established in the South to improve the quality of public education for African Americans. In 1912, philanthropist Julius Rosenwald gave Booker T. Washington money to construct six rural schools in Alabama. By, 1928, one in every five rural schools for black students in the South was a Rosenwald school. The two in Brunswick County-Oak Grove and St. Paul's Chapel-were awarded National Treasure status in 2011.
Both located in Lawrenceville VA
5. James Solomon Russell-Saint Paul's College Museum and Archives
The James Solomon Russel-Saint Paul's College Museum and Archives is a wonderful, preserved collection of history with emphases on Saint Paul's College and its founder Mr. James Solomon Russell. The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM located on the second floor of the Brunswick County Conference Center.
6. County Park at Great Creek
Located in Brunswick County, just off Christanna Highway on Park Place, northwest of Lawrenceville. This picturesque park is situated on the outer banks of Great Creek Reservoir, a 212 acre lake, and offers a wide variety of amenities for individuals of all ages.
Park Pl, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
7. Tobacco Heritage Trail
From Lawrenceville westward to South Hill: This section of the trail follows the abandoned Atlantic & Danville Railway that later became the Norfolk, Franklin, and Danville Railway, then the Norfolk & Western Railway (NS). Milepost zero is located at Brooks Crossing just east of Lawrenceville, but the segment between there and South Street (MP 1.7) has not been constructed yet. The segment constructed in Boydton is also on this abandoned right-of-way, and as such, carries milepost numbers in the same sequence.
High St/SR 618 & VA 642 (La Crosse) to South St & W. Railroad St (Lawrenceville)
8. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail
The Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail is a self-guided driving tour through Southside Virginia which encompasses five locations on its trail in Brunswick County. The trail was established by the Old Dominion Resource Conservation & Development Council and is managed by Virginia's Retreat, a tourism marketing consortium. The trail highlights the progression of African Americans, Native Americans, and women to their right to an education to that of white males in this time period.
9.Virginia Civil War Trails
Take in over 50 sites along two trails of civil war history: Lee's Retreat and the Wilson Kautz Raid. Along the trails you will travel across highways, byways and back roads to not just sites and places along the trails, but you will find experiences that will have you imagining what life would be like during this time in history.
10. Taste of Brunswick Festival (October 14, 2023 – 10:00am)
And if you are smart, you will plan your visit around the biggest festival of the year
THE TASTE OF BRUNSWICK
Experience the Best of Southern Food and Hospitality Welcome to the Taste of Brunswick Festival, where we celebrate the best of Southern food, music, and hospitality. Our festival is a beloved tradition in Brunswick County, VA, and we’re thrilled to welcome visitors from near and far to experience our unique blend of down-home charm and festival fun. Whether you’re a fan of classic Southern stews or just looking for a fun day out with family and friends, the Taste of Brunswick Festival has something for everyone. From our famous stew cooking competition to our live music performances, food vendors, and more, there’s no shortage of things to see and do at our festival.
Notables
- Robert Turnbull (1850–1920), U.S. Representative from Virginia
- Bryant Stith (born December 10, 1970)[1] is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
- George Coke Dromgoole (May 15, 1797 – April 27, 1847) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was the uncle of Alexander Dromgoole Sims and the son of Irish-born pioneer Methodist circuit rider Edward Dromgoole.
- Helen G. Edmonds (December 3, 1911 – May 9, 1995) was an American historian, scholar, and civic leader. She was the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate from Ohio State University, to become a graduate school dean and the first to second the nomination of a United States presidential candidate.
- Duke Brett (May 23, 1900 – November 25, 1974) was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of two seasons (1924–25) with the Chicago Cubs. For his career, he compiled a 1–1 record, with a 3.97 earned run average, and 7 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched.
Sources
- https://www.bcida.org/photos-brunswick-county/
- https://www.bcida.org
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_G._Edmonds
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Brett
- Lawrenceville Visitor Brochure https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/48d4c947-bf17-419c-bf62-9a165b45bf81/downloads/Lawrenceville%20Visitor%20Brochure.pdf?ver=1678203841360
- https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Place&Town=Lawrenceville&State=Virginia
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vaggsv/dr_walter_reed.htm
- Bean, William B. Walter Reed: A Biography University Press of Virginia Charlottesville 1982
https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/russell-james-solomon-1857-1935/
- #OnePlaceWednesday showcase: Lawrenceville, Virginia Apr 25, 2024.
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