Virginia's shores are some of the most pristine areas in the entire state. And then there are some that speak of history and even decay. Kiptopeke State Park is one such area known mostly by locals, who admire this vision of beautiful erosion that speaks to World War II's Maritime Commission. Here's more about this truly unique location:
Decay by nature is an eerie process, but there’s something about the Concrete Fleet, also referred to as the Kiptopeke Breakwater, that creates a beautiful display along the Chesapeake’s waters. It’s truly a vision to behold, especially at night. Folks walking along the friendly, well-lit peers will gaze out onto the horizon and eventually be able to perceive the outline of these hauntingly beautiful ghost ships.
These nine concrete ships were once part of a group of twenty-four ordered by the U.S. Maritime Commission during the second World War. The ships were brought to the area to serve as a protective force in the event of extreme weather. At that time, they were positioned near the ferry terminal and could take on water.
In 1964, the aforementioned ferry closed but the Concrete Fleet continues to provide a different sort of protection. Today it’s the home for an array of native fish, birds, and shellfish. With over 50 years of weather exposure and rust, it seems an unlikely candidate for shelter. However, this characteristic is exactly what makes for such a striking display.
Positioned just a quarter mile from the shore, these ships have become an intrinsic part of the coastline. There are even holes in some of the structures that have eroded so much as to allow small ships to pass through them. One can only wonder how long it will be until these maritime structures are erased completely.
The Amish communities in Virginia have long been a source of fascination. From their simplified way of living to their religious practices, they are a fascinating cultural anomaly in that they seem to integrate into society through trade and public recognition, without ever becoming part of it. Despite seeing their culture everywhere from Hollywood to reality TV, the day-to-day life of the Amish often remains an enigma.
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Amish communities in Virginia started as far back as the late 1800s and early 1900s, but today only four recognized "formal" communities remain, one each in Giles County, Charlotte County, Halifax County, and Lee County. Earlier Virginia Amish communities included Fauquier County (Midland, 1892-1901); Princess Anne County (Kempsville, 1900- early 1940s); Portsmouth (1927-1945); and Augusta County (Stuart’s Draft, 1942 – 1981). While these communities formally disbanded, it’s not uncommon to find Amish residents and places of business in these areas.
Horse and buggy caution sign
The Amish, like the Mennonites, formed from a 16th-century group called the "anabaptists." When a Swiss Anabaptist leader, Jacob Ammann, felt that the larger group was not keeping a strict enough separation from mainstream society, he broke away, forming a new group soon known as the "Amish."
Today, the Amish are distinguished by many of Ammann’s original guiding principles, including untrimmed beards (Mennonite men do not wear beards), horses and buggies instead of cars, horse-drawn farming implements, plain clothing, no electricity (or limited solar power), and little to no interaction with banks or government entities.
1. Giles County, Pearisburg (or “White Gate Community”)
The Amish settlement in Pearisburg is the oldest Amish community in Virginia. Although the address is technically Pearisburg, the Amish residents of Giles actually live fairly far out of town by Walker Mountain in a close, almost communal atmosphere. They refer to themselves as the Walker Mountain Community Farm. Recently, their numbers have been declining, although you can still see evidence of the Amish community in local businesses, road signs, and farms.
2. Charlotte County
A few years after the community in Giles County formed, an Amish settlement came to Charlotte County. This group has ties to the large, well-known Lancaster, Pennsylvania, community, although, to date, the Amish population in Charlotte County remains small.
After moving to the area, Amish farmers sought means to sell their produce. In 2012, the community opened the Sothside Wholesale Produce Auction, a twice-weekly "auction" or farmer’s market. The market helped growers, Amish and "English," as non-Amish are called, to distribute their wares to wholesale buyers, as well as regional families.
3. Halifax County, Nathalie (and surrounding areas)
Established in 2005, the Amish community in Halifax formed when families came from a larger community in Dover, Delaware. They settled in the Nathalie area and have remained a small community of between 150 to 200 people. Despite their small numbers, it’s not unusual to see an Amish buggy on the country roads in northeastern Halifax County.
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Several local, Amish-run businesses have become staples for Halifax residents including Cedar Lane, a home-based business that sells furniture, quilts, and brown eggs. Talk about one-stop shopping.
4. Lee County, Rose Hill
The most recent Amish community in Virginia was established in 2008, in the Rose Hill area of Lee County. Although the Amish population is small, their presence is felt strongly with shops like the Dutch Treat, an Amish deli and market, which has become a widespread favorite for many in the surrounding areas. Check out the official website of The Dutch Treat.
In addition to the four "formal" Amish communities, the Amish can be found in other parts of the state, as well.
5. Tazewell County, Burke’s Garden
In the 1990s, a number of Amish families moved to Burke’s Garden in Tazewell County. Nicknamed "God's Thumbprint" for its bowl-shaped valley that resembles a large thumbprint, this area of the state is known for its fertile farmland, making it appealing to Amish farmers. However, after being unable to purchase enough land to form a viable community, many moved away.
But in recent years, the area has seen a handful of families return.
In 2013, Mattie Schlabach, a recent Amish arrival to Burke’s Garden, re-opened the closed General Store. Today, you can find Amish-made bakery items, cakes, pies, handmade quilts and crafts, along with many other handmade items. Find more on the official website of Visit Tazewell County.
6. Pittsylvania County, Chatham
Over the past couple of years, a few Amish families have been making their way into Pittsylvania County, as well. However, there is not an "official" community in the county as of yet. Learn more on the official website of Pittsylvania County.
Despite their commitment to close community and spiritual separatism, the Amish remain an entrepreneurial group. Their goods can often be found for sale within larger organizations.
For example, Alan’s Factory Outlet in Luray sells and delivers Amish Sheds to locations in Virginia and West Virginia. And then there's Amish Originals, in Prospect and Farmville, which offers beautifully handcrafted Amish furniture.
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In addition to Amish businesses, it’s not unusual to find Amish-Mennonite collaborations, often run by Mennonites, that offer traditional Amish woodworking, foods, spices, and baked goods. Many of these shops feature items from Amish communities outside of the state. For example, Yoder’s Country Market, a popular Madison County destination just off Route 29, is run by a Mennonite family but offers Amish items and handmade furniture from both Amish and Mennonite communities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
It’s nice to stop and reflect on the beauty of the Amish way of life, especially when life can get so busy and sometimes overwhelming. I am not eager to give up my car, cell phone, or internet just yet, but seeing the simplicity and faith of these Amish communities in Virginia does make me reflect on the important things in life.
If you've been wondering how many Amish live in VA, well their population is around 2,100. Have you visited any of these Amish towns in VA? How about Amish businesses in Virginia? You can nominate your favorites to include in future articles when you visit our nominations page.
As one of the original colonies, the Commonwealth of Virginia is full of fascinating history. Like anywhere, some of the stories here have happier endings than others. Take, for example, the partial ghost town of Pamplin, Virginia, where much of the commercial district sits abandoned. Fear not, though: This hardscrabble community may be a little down, but it's certainly not out.
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If you love creepy content, Only In Your State’s Vacant series – which partners with talented photographer Johnny Joo – explores a dozen other fascinating abandoned places just waiting to be discovered.
Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.
Nobody knows for sure when Pamplin became a settlement. Public records show that a town called Merriman's Shop - after local resident and storeowner Thomas Merriman - popped up in the 1820s, or perhaps earlier. The town was renamed Pamplin City in 1854, but many of the area's structures date back to the 1700s. So, it's pretty safe to assume that Pamplin has been around, in some form or another, since the 18th century. And it's definitely seen better days.
A prosperous 19th century community, Pamplin's economic backbone was the railroad after the tracks were laid in the 1850s. Sitting at the intersection of the Norfolk and Western rail lines, the town was a frequent stopping off point for travelers. This led to a tidy and bustling downtown business district and a spike in the community's population.
If the town's economic spine was the railroad, it's heart was a factory that made clay smoking pipes. The factory opened around 1880 and was, at one point, the largest producer of such pipes in the world. At its busiest, the factory was sending more than a million Pamplin Pipes a month down the line.
But with the advent of cars, rail travel dwindled, and by the 1930s, passenger service to Pamplin had ceased. Smoking habits changed, too, creating challenges for the pipe factory. It was sold at auction in 1938, shifting its focus toward novelty pipes, but by 1952, the business had dissolved altogether. The combined loss of rail travelers and manufacturing jobs rang a death knell for Pamplin's economy; and it's population began to drift away.
Pamplin has seen better days, but it's not dead - a little light still shines on the folks who live there. The pipe factory and other buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And in 2012, the town became a gateway community for one of Virginia's newest parks: High Bridge Trail State Park. You'll still find regular events at the Pamplin Train Depot, and plenty of celebrations take place throughout the year, including the Pamplin Christmas Parade and Craft Market and the annual Celebrate Pamplin! festival. You can even immerse yourself in the town's history with a stay at this rustic and historic bungalow. Did you know about Pamplin, VA? Have you visited? Let us know in the comments!
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Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. To discover more creepy and abandoned places, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.
