The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1960-11-18

west. ard Route Is which runs
north and south through the cen
ter.
The faint blue outline of the
Blue Ridge looms to the far west
OF the county.
Unique Mountain
Buckingham county can claim
one of the most unique mountains
ir the world. the oddly placed
Willis Mountain Of unique rock
formation rising abruptly to a
height of l,l59 feet yields the
largest supply of kyaEite in the
world.
Peter Francisco, Hercules Of
American Revolutionary fame.
lived in Buckingham county. The
ruins of his home, four miles off
Route 626, may be reached only
in dry weather.
Buckirg CHAM c hurc h. dating
from early 100. believed to be
the oldest church in the county is
located on Route IS, four miles
south of Arvonia.
The first chartered woman S
college ir Virginia was the Buck
ingham Female Institute built in
1857. It failed in 1343 and re-
opened in 1913. 1t survived until
1868. The school building has
been destroyed. but the presi-
dents cottage still standing, is
located on Route Gil.
From the slate quarries. To-
Gated near Arvonia or Route Is
comes the finest roofing slate in
the world. The slate is now used
in many other ways.
Artificial Lake
Holiday Lake, which lies partly
in the county is one of the largest
artificial lakes liz Virginia. It is
a favorite spot for boating, fish
ing and swimming. This lake
may be reached by turning left
on Route "a.
In Buckingham county there
was the most notable gold mining
region in the country before the
California gold rush in 1649 The
Marrow Mine, opened here before
1885, was one of the earliest gold
mines in which underground min
ing was employed. Profitably
worked for a number Of years, il
was finally closed.
After the surrender at Apo
mattox, General Lee bivouaced
with his men near Buckingham
Court House. The camp ground
is now used as lovely Wayside
park. namely 1.-THE Robert Lee
Wayside Park
Adjoining the park is Rose
Cottage once called the Peilt
House. 1t is here as loca
legend nalrates. that after Lee (
surrender at not distant Apo
mattoX. he and his staff endeav
ored to find food and lodging
But, there was rot room for all
although Lee was invited to spene
the night in the house. he is sale
to have preferred camping in the
| yard with his devoted men. Mrs
Peile, who lived in Rose Cottage
at the time, then quite old, sale
she recalled one thing about Gen
eral Robert E. Lee. The mex
morning after camping with hi
men, the general led his horse tt
the watering trough. During tn
commemorative of the Tooth an
niversary of the war, the count,
hopes to convert Rose Cottage
into a museum.
Historic Court House
Buckingham was selected a
the county seat because Of it
central location. The first court
house was a wooden building
which stood west of the villag
of Maysville. The town was one
known as Maysville, and wa
later changed to Buckingham
Court House because there wa
another Maysyille in the stat
and the two names were confus
ing.
The next court house, designe
by Thomas Jefferson in 1925, wa
burned in 1869. All records wer
destroyed in the fire.
Buckingham's present colr
house was built to replace tn
one designed by Jefferson. TIL
design is of the Jeffersonia
style.
Across from buckingham Coul
House to the south Of the mai
flow of the highway stands
marble shaft dedicated to tn
memory of the men in grey. TIL
monument was given to tn
county by the United Daughter
of the Confederacy.
Close to the monument base o
either side are two guarding car
mons. Of all events of Buckine
ham County's nearly 200 years {
existence, the War Between tn
States has put its mark mos
prominently on this rural count
seat. Plans are to rededicate thi
monument in 1861.
On the south side of the Squar
stands the old Buckingham HI
tel, 1.-The Mosley Home" covere
with clapboard. It is said tina
when Robert E. Lee was return
ing on horseback to .Richmon
after the surrender at AppOma1