Clarke County, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Clarke County is a county
in the Commonwealth
of Virginia
. As of 2010, the population was 14,034. Its county seat
is Berryville
.
who built a home, Greenway Court, on part of his 5 million acre (20,000 km²) property, near what is now the village of White Post
. White Post was named for the large signpost pointing the way to Lord Fairfax's home.
Many of the early settlers of what became Clarke County were children of Tidewater planters, who settled on large land grants from Lord Fairfax. 2/3 of the county was settled by the plantation group, and the plantation lifestyle thrived until the Civil War. Clarke was known for its large crops of wheat.
During the Civil War, John S. Mosby
, "the Gray Ghost" of the Confederacy
, raided General Sheridan
's supply train in the summer of 1864, in Berryville
. The Battle of Cool Spring
was fought in Clarke County on July 17 and 18th, 1864, and the Battle of Berryville on September 3, 1864.
Early in the 20th century, future Virginia politician Harry F. Byrd, Sr. and his wife established their first home near Berryville, where he undertook extensive agricultural activity growing peaches and apples. Byrd became a State senator in the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly
, served a term as a Governor of Virginia
, and was a United States Senator for over 30 years, heading the powerful Byrd Organization
which dominated state politics between the mid 1920s and 1960s.
, the county has a total area of 178 square miles (461 km²), of which 177 square miles (458.4 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.88%) is water.
of 2000, there were 12,652 people, 4,942 households, and 3,513 families residing in the county. The population density
was 72 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 5,388 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.15% White
, 6.73% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.49% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.55% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population was Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
By 2005 90.1% of Clarke County's population was non-Hispanic whites. 6.3% were African-American. 0.2% Native American. 0.6% Asian. 2.6% were Latino.
There were 4,942 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,601, and the median income for a family was $59,750. Males had a median income of $40,254 versus $30,165 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $24,844. About 4.20% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
in the Commonwealth
Commonwealth (United States)
Four of the constituent states of the United States officially designate themselves Commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia....
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. As of 2010, the population was 14,034. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Berryville
Berryville, Virginia
Berryville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
.
History
Clarke County was established in 1836 by Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of CameronThomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron was the son of Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and of Catherine, daughter of Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron Culpeper of Thoresway....
who built a home, Greenway Court, on part of his 5 million acre (20,000 km²) property, near what is now the village of White Post
White Post, Virginia
White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and Berrys Ferry Roads off Lord Fairfax Highway White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and...
. White Post was named for the large signpost pointing the way to Lord Fairfax's home.
Many of the early settlers of what became Clarke County were children of Tidewater planters, who settled on large land grants from Lord Fairfax. 2/3 of the county was settled by the plantation group, and the plantation lifestyle thrived until the Civil War. Clarke was known for its large crops of wheat.
During the Civil War, John S. Mosby
John S. Mosby
John Singleton Mosby , nicknamed the "Gray Ghost", was a Confederate cavalry battalion commander in the American Civil War...
, "the Gray Ghost" of the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, raided General Sheridan
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
's supply train in the summer of 1864, in Berryville
Berryville, Virginia
Berryville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
. The Battle of Cool Spring
Battle of Cool Spring
The Battle of Cool Spring, also known as Castleman's Ferry, Island Ford, Parker's Ford, and Snicker's Ferry, was a battle in the American Civil War fought July 17–18, 1864, in Clarke County, Virginia, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864...
was fought in Clarke County on July 17 and 18th, 1864, and the Battle of Berryville on September 3, 1864.
Early in the 20th century, future Virginia politician Harry F. Byrd, Sr. and his wife established their first home near Berryville, where he undertook extensive agricultural activity growing peaches and apples. Byrd became a State senator in the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
, served a term as a Governor of Virginia
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
, and was a United States Senator for over 30 years, heading the powerful Byrd Organization
Byrd Organization
The Byrd Organization was a political machine led by former Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. that dominated Virginia politics for much of the middle portion of the 20th century...
which dominated state politics between the mid 1920s and 1960s.
Historic Buildings and Structures
- Clermont Estate (1751)
- Fairfield (1765)
- Soldier's Rest (1769)
- Buck Marsh Church (1772)
- Norwood (1780)
- Burwell-Morgan Mill (1782)
- Holy Cross Abbey (1784)
- Audley Estate (1794)
- Bel Voi (1803)
- Rosemont Estate (1811)
- Clay Hill (1816)
- Clifton (1833)
- Clarke County Courthouse (1837)
- Stone's Chapel (1848)
- Glendale Farm (1850)
- Site of Mosby's Raid (1863)
Google Earth Placemarks
- Clermont Estate
- Fairfield
- Soldier's Rest
- Norwood Estate
- Buck Marsh Church
- Holy Cross Abbey
- Stone's Chapel
- Audley Estate
- Bel Voi
- Rosemont Estate
- Clay Hill
- Clifton Estate
- Clarke County Courthouse
- Glendale Farm
- Site of Mosby's Raid in Berryville
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 178 square miles (461 km²), of which 177 square miles (458.4 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.88%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Loudoun County, VirginiaLoudoun County, VirginiaLoudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
- East - Warren County, VirginiaWarren County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 31,584 people, 12,087 households, and 8,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 13,299 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
- South West - Fauquier County, VirginiaFauquier County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
- South East - Frederick County, VirginiaFrederick County, VirginiaFrederick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is included in the Winchester, Virginia-West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was formed in 1743 by the splitting of Orange County. For ten years it was the home of George Washington. As of 2010, the population was...
- West - Jefferson County, West VirginiaJefferson County, West VirginiaJefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 53,498. Its county seat is Charles Town...
- North
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,652 people, 4,942 households, and 3,513 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 72 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 5,388 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.15% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.73% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.49% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population was Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
By 2005 90.1% of Clarke County's population was non-Hispanic whites. 6.3% were African-American. 0.2% Native American. 0.6% Asian. 2.6% were Latino.
There were 4,942 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,601, and the median income for a family was $59,750. Males had a median income of $40,254 versus $30,165 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $24,844. About 4.20% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
- Shenandoah Valley Commuter Bus Service offers weekday commuter bus service from Northern Shenandoah ValleyShenandoah ValleyThe Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
including Shenandoah CountyShenandoah County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 35,075 people, 14,296 households, and 10,064 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 16,709 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
and Warren CountyWarren County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 31,584 people, 12,087 households, and 8,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 13,299 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
to Northern VirginiaNorthern VirginiaNorthern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
and Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
including Arlington CountyArlington County, VirginiaArlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
and Fairfax CountyFairfax County, VirginiaFairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
. Origination points in Shenandoah CountyShenandoah County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 35,075 people, 14,296 households, and 10,064 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 16,709 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
include WoodstockWoodstock, VirginiaWoodstock is a town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States. It has a population of 5,097 according to the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Shenandoah County....
. Origination points in Warren CountyWarren County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 31,584 people, 12,087 households, and 8,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 13,299 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
include Front RoyalFront Royal, VirginiaFront Royal is a town in Warren County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,589 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Warren County.-Geography:Front Royal is roughly west of Washington, D.C....
and LindenLinden, VirginiaLinden is an unincorporated community in Fauquier and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is less than an hour from Washington, D.C...
.
Unincorporated communities
|
Double Tollgate, Virginia Double Tollgate is an unincorporated community in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Double Tollgate is located at the intersection of Fairfax Pike , Front Royal Pike , Lord Fairfax Highway , and Stonewall Jackson Highway .... Frogtown, Clarke County, Virginia Frogtown is an unincorporated community on Morgan Mill Stream in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Frogtown is located on Frogtown Road .... Gaylord, Virginia Gaylord is an unincorporated community in northern Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Gaylord is located on Lord Fairfax Highway . The community had its own post office in operation from 1880 to 1956.... Greenway Court, Virginia Greenway Court was the estate and hunting lodge of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron in what is now Clarke County, Virginia, United States... Lewisville, Virginia Lewisville is an unincorporated community in northern Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Lewisville lies on Lewisville Road to the southwest of Franklintown, West Virginia.... |
Lockes Landing, Virginia Lockes Landing is an unincorporated community on the Shenandoah River in Clarke County, Virginia, USA.... Lost Corner, Virginia Lost Corner is an unincorporated community in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Lost Corner lies at the intersection of the John Mosby Highway and Gun Barrel and Ginns Roads.... Millwood, Virginia Millwood is an unincorporated town located in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Millwood is the home of many of Clarke County's most historic sites including the Burwell-Morgan Mill , Carter Hall , the Greenway Historic District, Long Branch plantation , Old Chapel , and the River House.-Google Earth... Pigeon Hill, Clarke County, Virginia Pigeon Hill is an unincorporated community in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Pigeon Hill lies on the Lord Fairfax Highway south of Berryville.... Pyletown, Virginia Pyletown is an unincorporated community in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Pyletown lies to the northeast of Boyce on Pyletown Road .... |
Saratoga, Clarke County, Virginia Saratoga is an unincorporated community in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Saratoga lies to the south of Boyce. Saratoga gets its name from the home Daniel Morgan built here in 1782. The home itself is named for the American Revolutionary War battle of Saratoga, New York in which Morgan played an... Stone Bridge, Virginia Stone Bridge is an unincorporated community in southern Clarke County, Virginia, USA.... Stringtown, Clarke County, Virginia Stringtown is an unincorporated community in northern Clarke County, Virginia, USA.... Swimley, Virginia Swimley is an unincorporated community in northern Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Swimley lies near the border with Jefferson County, West Virginia on Swimley Road . Swimley is located off of Crums Church Road.... Wadesville, Virginia Wadesville is an unincorporated community in Clarke County in the U.S. state of Virginia. Wadesville is located along Opequon Creek.... |
Waterloo, Clarke County, Virginia Waterloo is an unincorporated community in Clarke County in the U.S. state of Virginia. Waterloo is located at the crossroads of John Mosby Highway and Lord Fairfax Highway .... Webbtown, Virginia Webbtown is an unincorporated community in Clarke County in the U.S. state of Virginia. Webbtown lies to the east of Berryville on Harry Byrd Highway at its intersection with Wickliffe Road .... White Post, Virginia White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and Berrys Ferry Roads off Lord Fairfax Highway White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and... Wickliffe, Virginia Wickliffe is an unincorporated community in Clarke County in the U.S. state of Virginia.... |