Harrisonburg, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Harrisonburg is an independent city
in the Shenandoah Valley
region of Virginia in the United States
. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County
and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a 2008 estimated population of 118,409. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
combines the city of Harrisonburg with Rockingham county for statistical purposes, while the U.S. Census Bureau treats Harrisonburg as an independent city for census tabulation. Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University
and Eastern Mennonite University
.
The earliest documented English exploration of the area prior to settlement was the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition
", led by Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood
, who reached Elkton, and whose rangers continued and in 1716 likely passed through what is now Harrisonburg.
Harrisonburg, previously known as Rocktown, was named for Thomas Harrison, a son of English settlers. In 1737, Harrison settled in the Shenandoah Valley, eventually laying claim to over 12000 acres (48.6 km²). This was situated at the intersection of the Spotswood Trail and the main Native American
road through the Valley.
In 1779, Harrison deeded 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²) of his land to the "public good" for the construction of a courthouse. In 1780, Harrison deeded an additional 50 acres (202,343 m²).
This is the area now known as "Historic Downtown Harrisonburg."
In 1849, trustees chartered a mayor-council form of government, although Harrisonburg was not officially incorporated as an independent city until 1916. Today, a council-manager government
administers Harrisonburg.
, the city has a total area of 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²), of which 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²) is land, and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.17%) is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 40,468 people, 13,133 households, and 6,448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,304.4 people per square mile (889.8/km²). There were 13,689 housing units at an average density of 779.5 per square mile (301.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.84% White, 5.92% Black or African American
, 0.19% Native American, 3.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.35% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. 8.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,133 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution, which is strongly influenced by the city's two universities, is: 15.4% under the age of 18, 40.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income
for a household in the city was $29,949, and the median income for a family was $45,159. Males had a median income of $29,951 versus $22,910 for women. The per capita income
for the city was $14,898. About 11.5% of families and 30.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over. However, traditional poverty measures can be misleading when applied to a community with a relatively large student population, such as Harrisonburg.
.
A large portion of this black neighborhood was dismantled in the 1950s when – in the name of urban renewal
– the city government used federal redevelopment funds from the Housing Act of 1949
to force black families out of their homes and then bulldozed the neighborhood. This effort, called "Project R4," focused on the city blocks east of Main, north of Gay, west of Broad, and south of Johnson. The city later sold the land to commercial developers.
On July 1, 2003, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission of rejuvenating the downtown district.
In 2004, downtown was designated as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places
and a designated Virginia Main Street Community, with the neighboring Old Town residential community gaining historic district status in 2007. Several vacant buildings have been renovated and re-purposed for new uses, like the Hardesty-Higgins House and City Exchange, used for the Harrisonburg Tourist Center and high-end loft apartments, respectively.
In 2008, downtown Harrisonburg spent over $1 million in cosmetic and sidewalk infrastructure improvements (also called streetscaping and wayfinding projects). The City Council appropriated $500,000 for custom street signs to be used as "wayfinding signs" directing visitors to areas of interest around the city. Another $500,000 was used to upgrade street lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping along Main Street and Court Square.
comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and a high school. Eastern Mennonite School
, a private school, serves grades K-12 with an enrollment of about 327 students. Redeemer Classical School serves grades K-8 with an enrollment of about 60 students.
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
in the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The 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...
region of Virginia in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County
Rockingham County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a 2008 estimated population of 118,409. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Economic Analysis
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides important economic statistics including the gross domestic product of the United States. Its stated mission is to "promote a better understanding of the U.S...
combines the city of Harrisonburg with Rockingham county for statistical purposes, while the U.S. Census Bureau treats Harrisonburg as an independent city for census tabulation. Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
and Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University is a private liberal arts university in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, affiliated with one of the historic peace churches, the Mennonite Church USA. Its main campus is on the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, about three miles from state-owned...
.
History
Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition
The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition took place in 1716 in the British Colony of Virginia. The Royal Governor and a number of prominent citizens traveled westward, across the Blue Ridge Mountains on an exploratory expedition...
", led by Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood
Alexander Spotswood
Alexander Spotswood was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army and a noted Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He is noted in Virginia and American history for a number of his projects as Governor, including his exploring beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, his establishing what was perhaps the first...
, who reached Elkton, and whose rangers continued and in 1716 likely passed through what is now Harrisonburg.
Harrisonburg, previously known as Rocktown, was named for Thomas Harrison, a son of English settlers. In 1737, Harrison settled in the Shenandoah Valley, eventually laying claim to over 12000 acres (48.6 km²). This was situated at the intersection of the Spotswood Trail and the main Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
road through the Valley.
In 1779, Harrison deeded 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²) of his land to the "public good" for the construction of a courthouse. In 1780, Harrison deeded an additional 50 acres (202,343 m²).
This is the area now known as "Historic Downtown Harrisonburg."
In 1849, trustees chartered a mayor-council form of government, although Harrisonburg was not officially incorporated as an independent city until 1916. Today, a council-manager government
Council-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
administers Harrisonburg.
Geography
According to the United States 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 city has a total area of 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²), of which 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²) is land, and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.17%) is water.
Demographics
Census
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 40,468 people, 13,133 households, and 6,448 families residing in the city. 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 2,304.4 people per square mile (889.8/km²). There were 13,689 housing units at an average density of 779.5 per square mile (301.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.84% White, 5.92% Black 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, 3.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.35% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. 8.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,133 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% 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, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution, which is strongly influenced by the city's two universities, is: 15.4% under the age of 18, 40.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
for a household in the city was $29,949, and the median income for a family was $45,159. Males had a median income of $29,951 versus $22,910 for women. 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 city was $14,898. About 11.5% of families and 30.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over. However, traditional poverty measures can be misleading when applied to a community with a relatively large student population, such as Harrisonburg.
Newtown
When the slaves of the Shenandoah Valley were freed in 1865, they set up near modern-day Harrisonburg a town called Newtown. This settlement was eventually annexed by the independent city of Harrisonburg some years later, probably around 1892. Today, the old city of Newtown is still the home of the majority of Harrisonburg's predominantly black churches, such as First Baptist and Bethel AME. The modern Boys and Girls Club of Harrisonburg is located in the old Lucy Simms schoolhouse used for the black students in the days of segregationRacial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
.
A large portion of this black neighborhood was dismantled in the 1950s when – in the name of urban renewal
Urban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
– the city government used federal redevelopment funds from the Housing Act of 1949
Housing Act of 1949
The American Housing Act of 1949 was a landmark, sweeping expansion of the federal role in mortgage insurance and issuance and the construction of public housing...
to force black families out of their homes and then bulldozed the neighborhood. This effort, called "Project R4," focused on the city blocks east of Main, north of Gay, west of Broad, and south of Johnson. The city later sold the land to commercial developers.
Downtown Renaissance
In early 2002, the Harrisonburg community discussed the possibility of creating a pedestrian mall downtown. Public meetings were held to discuss the merits and drawbacks of pursuing such a plan. Ultimately, the community decided to keep its Main Street open to traffic. From these discussions, however, a strong voice emerged from the community in resounding support of downtown revitalization.On July 1, 2003, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission of rejuvenating the downtown district.
In 2004, downtown was designated as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and a designated Virginia Main Street Community, with the neighboring Old Town residential community gaining historic district status in 2007. Several vacant buildings have been renovated and re-purposed for new uses, like the Hardesty-Higgins House and City Exchange, used for the Harrisonburg Tourist Center and high-end loft apartments, respectively.
In 2008, downtown Harrisonburg spent over $1 million in cosmetic and sidewalk infrastructure improvements (also called streetscaping and wayfinding projects). The City Council appropriated $500,000 for custom street signs to be used as "wayfinding signs" directing visitors to areas of interest around the city. Another $500,000 was used to upgrade street lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping along Main Street and Court Square.
School systems
Serving about 4,400 students (K-12,) Harrisonburg City Public SchoolsHarrisonburg City Public Schools
The Harrisonburg City Public School division is the home of the Blue Streaks and is composed of a high school , two middle schools , five elementary schools The Harrisonburg City Public School division is the home of the Blue Streaks and is composed of a high school (Harrisonburg High School), two...
comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and a high school. Eastern Mennonite School
Eastern Mennonite School
Eastern Mennonite School is a K-12 private school in Harrisonburg, Virginia which is affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA.Eastern Mennonite School began in 1917 as a high school and Bible school, adding college classes as the institution grew...
, a private school, serves grades K-12 with an enrollment of about 327 students. Redeemer Classical School serves grades K-8 with an enrollment of about 60 students.
Higher education
- Eastern Mennonite UniversityEastern Mennonite UniversityEastern Mennonite University is a private liberal arts university in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, affiliated with one of the historic peace churches, the Mennonite Church USA. Its main campus is on the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, about three miles from state-owned...
(Private) - James Madison UniversityJames Madison UniversityJames Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
(Public) - Blue Ridge Community CollegeBlue Ridge Community CollegeBlue Ridge Community College is a community college located in Weyers Cave, Virginia in Augusta County. The campus is located between Interstate 81 and US Route 11 just outside Weyers Cave...
(Main campus is in Weyers Cave) - Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater CollegeBridgewater College, is a private, coeducational, four-year liberal-arts college located in Bridgewater, Virginia, a town in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States...
is in nearby Bridgewater, VirginiaBridgewater, VirginiaBridgewater is an incorporated town in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,644 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bridgewater is home to the Reds of the Rockingham County Baseball League... - National Business College (Public, for profit)
- Evangel Theological SeminaryEvangel Theological SeminaryEvangel Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary based in Kyiv, Ukraine.-History:In 1997 Ukrainian President Kuchma called a meeting of National religious leaders to plan for the 2000 anniversary celebration of the birth of Christ...
(Private)
Points of interest
- Edith J. Carrier ArboretumEdith J. Carrier ArboretumThe Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is an arboretum and botanical garden on the James Madison University campus, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA in the Shenandoah Valley. Groundbreaking for the arboretum took place April, 1985, under direction of Dr...
- Virginia Quilt Museum
- Downtown Harrisonburg
- Harrisonburg Children's MuseumHarrisonburg Children's MuseumThe Harrisonburg Children's Museum is a non-profit museum focusing on interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences for children, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia-History:...
Events
- The first annual Super Gr8 Film FestivalSuper 8 mm filmSuper 8 mm film is a motion picture film format released in 1965 by Eastman Kodak as an improvement of the older "Double" or "Regular" 8 mm home movie format....
was held in Harrisonburg in November, 2010.
Sports
- Eastern Mennonite RoyalsEastern Mennonite UniversityEastern Mennonite University is a private liberal arts university in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, affiliated with one of the historic peace churches, the Mennonite Church USA. Its main campus is on the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, about three miles from state-owned...
(NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic ConferenceOld Dominion Athletic ConferenceThe Old Dominion Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division III athletic conference. Its member schools are located primarily in Virginia, with other members in North Carolina and Washington, DC. Only the American Southwest Conference in Texas is larger in Division III. -History:The conference was...
(ODAC))- 2010 Division IIIDivision IIIDivision III is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States.-Membership:The division consists of colleges and universities that choose not to offer athletically related financial aid to their student-athletes...
Men's Basketball Elite 8 Qualifiers - 2004 Women's basketball sweet sixteen qualifiers
- 2010 Division III
- Harrisonburg TurksHarrisonburg TurksThe Harrisonburg Turks are a collegiate summer baseball team in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They play in the central division of the Valley Baseball League....
(Valley Baseball LeagueValley Baseball LeagueThe Valley Baseball League is an NCAA-sanctioned collegiate summer baseball league in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Each Valley Baseball League season consists of 44 games played during summer. Many Valley Baseball League players have continued on to play in Major League Baseball.The...
) - James Madison DukesJames Madison UniversityJames Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
(NCAA Division I, Football Championship Subdivision, Colonial Athletic AssociationColonial Athletic AssociationThe Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
)- 2004 Division I-AA National Champions
Bands
- Engine DownEngine DownEngine Down was a four-piece rock band from Richmond, Virginia, active from 1996-2005. They were a part of the Washington, D.C. area post-hardcore movement, along with bands like The Dismemberment Plan, Q and Not U, and Faraquet...
rock group formed by JMU students in Harrisonburg. - Everything (band)Everything (band)Everything is a pop/rock band from Virginia. They were most active in the mid to late '90s and early '00s. The band was formed in 1989 by students at James Madison University...
, mid to late 90's pop rock group formed by JMU students in Harrisonburg. - Happy The ManHappy The ManHappy the Man is an American progressive rock band from the 1970s specializing in virtuoso instrumental tracks within complex time signatures.-Early days:...
, a 70's progressive rock band formed in Harrisonburg. - Maximillian ColbyMaximillian ColbyMaximillian Colby was an Emocore band formed in the early 1990s in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Never reaching much popularity outside of Harrisonburg during their lifespan, they established a unique sound melding epic post-rock and punk, recognized years later by bands like City of Caterpillar, A Day...
, 90's emocore band - Old Crow Medicine ShowOld Crow Medicine ShowOld Crow Medicine Show is an old-time string band based in Nashville, Tennessee. Their music has been called bluegrass, Americana, and alt-country, in addition to old-time. Along with original songs, the band performs many pre-World War II blues and folk songs...
, An oldtime folk band. The two founding members were born and raised in Harrisonburg. This includes Ketch Secor.
Individuals
- Samuel B. AvisSamuel B. AvisSamuel Brashear Avis was an American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from 1913-1915....
(February 19, 1872 - June 8, 1924) was an American politician who represented West VirginiaWest VirginiaWest Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1913-1915. - Jeremiah BishopJeremiah BishopJeremiah Bishop is a professional mountain bike racer from the United States. He primarily competes in the Olympic discipline event of cross-country cycling....
, 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist in cross country mountain bike racing - Nelson ChittumNelson ChittumNelson Boyd Chittum is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox...
, former pitcher for the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... - Dell CurryDell CurryWardell Stephen "Dell" Curry is a retired American professional basketball player at the shooting guard and the small forward positions who received his education from Fort Defiance High School in Virginia and Virginia Tech. He then played in the National Basketball Association from 1986 until 2002...
, NBA player for the Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, Charlotte HornetsCharlotte Hornets (NBA)The Charlotte Hornets was a professional American basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They played in the Atlantic, Midwest, and Central divisions of the National Basketball Association. The Hornets began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as an expansion franchise, along with the...
, and the Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion... - Daryl IrvineDaryl IrvineDaryl Keith Irvine is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed....
former starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox - Akeem JordanAkeem JordanAkeem Raphael Jordan is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at James Madison....
, right outside line-backer for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Gus NiarhosGus NiarhosConstantine Gregory "Gus" Niarhos was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies...
, catcher for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, and Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - John Birdsell OrenJohn Birdsell OrenJohn Birdsell Oren was a rear admiral in the United States Coast Guard.-Biography:Oren was born on December 27, 1909 in Madison, Wisconsin. He would obtain a M.S. in Marine Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Oren would marry Virginia Prentis, who died in 2002...
, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral - G. Edgar Parker, codeveloper of the Parker-Sochacki methodParker-Sochacki methodIn mathematics, the Parker-Sochacki method is an algorithm for solving systems of differential equations, which has been developed by G. Edgar Parker and James Sochacki, of the James Madison University Mathematics Department...
of solving systems of differential equations. - Ralph SampsonRalph SampsonRalph Lee Sampson, Jr. is a retired American college and professional basketball player.A 7-foot-4 phenom, three-time College Player of the Year, and No...
, who played collegiate basketball at the University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and was drafted 1st overall in the 1983 NBA Draft1983 NBA DraftThe 1983 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1983 in New York City. A total of 226 players were selected over 10 rounds by the league's 23 teams. At least three players from the 1983 draft now serve as coaches...
by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being... - Jim Sochacki, codeveloper of the Parker-Sochacki methodParker-Sochacki methodIn mathematics, the Parker-Sochacki method is an algorithm for solving systems of differential equations, which has been developed by G. Edgar Parker and James Sochacki, of the James Madison University Mathematics Department...
of solving systems of differential equations. - Maggie StiefvaterMaggie StiefvaterMaggie Stiefvater is a bestselling American author of young-adult/urban fantasy novels. She currently lives in Virginia. She attended Mary Washington College, graduating with a B.A. in history. After graduating, she worked as a portrait artist, specializing in equestrian art.; her art was...
, Number 1 best-selling authour of The Wolves of Mercy FallsThe Wolves of Mercy FallsThe Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy contains the three books, Shiver , Linger and Forever . The books follow Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth. Shiver is written from both Grace and Sam's point of view. Linger is written from Grace, Sam, Isabel and Cole's view point...
series - Kristi ToliverKristi ToliverKristi Toliver is a former basketball player for the University of Maryland at College Park. She is from Harrisonburg, Virginia, and has an older sister, Carli. She is the daughter of former NBA referee, George Toliver, and Peggy Toliver.-High school:Attended Harrisonburg High School and...
, 2009 ACC women's basketball Player of the Year (University of Maryland). She graduated from Harrisonburg High School. - John WadeJohn Wade (football player)Robert John Wade is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, center for the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
and the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, now retired from NFL and working for Bob Wade Subaru. - Tim LeffelTim LeffelTim Leffel is an American writer and editor.-Background:Leffel was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He holds a degree in Music Business Management from James Madison University and a CELTA from Cambridge University. Leffel has worked in New York, Seoul, and Istanbul...
travel book author and editor of Perceptive Travel webzine
See also
- Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Virginia Mennonite ConferenceVirginia Mennonite ConferenceVirginia Mennonite Conference is a body of 65 Mennonite churches in the south-Atlantic region of the United States, consisting of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the city of Washington D.C. There are also a few Conference churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. It is one of the regional...