Victoria is an incorporated town located in Lunenburg County, Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,821. Location in the state of Virginia Formed 1746 Seat Lunenburg Area  - Total  - Water 1,120 km² (432 mi²) 2 km² (1 mi²) 0. ...

Geography

Victoria is located at 36°59'36" North, 78°13'30" West (36.993365, -78.224891)^GR1. Image File history File links VAMap-doton-Victoria. ... The following is a list of sources used in the creation of Wikipedia articles on various geographic topics and locations, such as cities, counties, states, and countries. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.05% water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an Imperial unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, 1,609. ...

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,821 people, 803 households, and 517 families residing in the town. The population density was 248.4/km² (644.6/mi²). There were 903 housing units at an average density of 123.2/km² (319.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 76.22% White, 21.47% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 1.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The following is a list of sources used in the creation of Wikipedia articles on various geographic topics and locations, such as cities, counties, states, and countries. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 803 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

In the town the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,694, and the median income for a family was $32,311. Males had a median income of $26,797 versus $17,054 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,693. 24.6% of the population and 18.6% of families were below the poverty line. 38.9% of those under the age of 18 and 18.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

History

Born as a railroad town

This aerial shot of Victoria was taken in 1954 looking west. It shows the turntable and roundhouse in the lower left, and the passenger station and Norfolk division offices to the right of the tracks. Photo courtesy Town of Victoria

Victoria was founded in 1906 as a planned community on what had been largely undeveloped land in Lunenburg County, Virginia during the construction of the Tidewater Railway. This was a new railroad intended to transport coal to be originated by its sister Deepwater Railway operating in southern West Virginia. The Tidewater Railway was chartered to cross Virginia by way of Roanoke to port at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads near Norfolk, Virginia. Image File history File links Victoria_Air_1954_SMALL.png An aerial of Virginian Railway (VGN) facilities at Victoria, Virginia taken in 1954. ... Image File history File links Victoria_Air_1954_SMALL.png An aerial of Virginian Railway (VGN) facilities at Victoria, Virginia taken in 1954. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Location in the state of Virginia Formed 1746 Seat Lunenburg Area  - Total  - Water 1,120 km² (432 mi²) 2 km² (1 mi²) 0. ... The Tidewater Railway was formed in 1904 as an intrastate railroad located in Virginia in the United States by William N. Page, a civil engineer and entrepreneur and his silent partner, millionaire industrialist Henry Huttleston Rogers of Standard Oil fame. ... Bituminous coal Bituminous coal is a soft coal containing a tar-like substance called bitumen. ... The Deepwater Railway was formed in 1898 as an intrastate short-line railroad located in West Virginia in the United States by William N. Page, a civil engineer and entrepreneur. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 41st 62,809 km² 210 km 385 km 0. ... Aerial of Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke (The Star City of the South) is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. ... Hampton Roads, Virginia 1858 Sewells Point is a peninsula of land in the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water port of Hampton Roads. ... Hampton Roads, from state map of pre-civil war Virginia circa 1858 Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the United States. ... Nickname: Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ...

In 1907, as they began nearing completion, the Tidewater and Deepwater Railways were combined to form the Virginian Railway(VGN). The low gradient VGN, built by William N. Page and Henry Huttleston Rogers, was considered an engineering marvel of the time when it was completed in 1909. 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Virginian Railway (AAR reporting mark VGN) was a Class 1 railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. ... William Nelson Page (January 6, 1854–March 7, 1932), was a United States civil engineer, entrepreneur, capitalist, businessman, and industrialist. ... Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29, 1840 – May 19, 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Queen Victoria of England was a favorite of Henry Rogers, and the new town was named in her honor. Victoria was the midpoint of the VGN's Norfolk Division, which extended from Sewell's Point to Roanoke. It was the location of a large equipment maintenance operation on the Virginian Railway, with roundhouse, turntable coaling and water facilities for servicing steam locomotives, and a large yard. Norfolk Division offices were on the second floor of the passenger station. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the eminent Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837, and Empress of India from 1 January 1877, until her death in 1901. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001... The Virginian Railway (AAR reporting mark VGN) was a Class 1 railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. ...

The Virginia General Assembly granted a charter and incorporated the Town of Victoria on March 11, 1916. The Virginia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Virginia. ... 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...

End of steam, mergers, abandonment

Victoria's importance as a rail point declined sharply in the 1950s when the change to diesel locomotives greatly reduced the labor and facilities needed. The last Virginian passenger train served Victoria in January, 1956. VGN steam operations ended completely in June, 1957. Then, on December 1, 1959, the Virginian Railway merged with the Norfolk and Western. Under N&W operations, the main line traffic was shifted to the bigger roads main line through Crewe, VA, fortunately within commuting distance for N&W's Victoria-based employees. Local customers on the former VGN line through Victoria and nearby Kenbridge were few, and the portion of the line through Victoria was eventually abandoned in the 1980s. All tracks and structures were removed, and a portion of the land donated to the community by N&W. December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Virginian Railway (AAR reporting mark VGN) was a Class 1 railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. ... Norfolk and Western Railway (AAR reporting mark: NW), a US class 1 railroad, was formed by more than 200 railroad mergers between 1838 and 1982. ... Crewe is a town located in Nottoway County, Virginia. ... Kenbridge is a town located in Lunenburg County, Virginia. ...

Much like many other communities all across the United States, the end of steam railroading and the era of mergers and consolidation in the second half of the 20th century reduced rail-oriented employment opportunities and had a generally negative impact upon Victoria and the surrounding area. However, the community and Lunenburg County proved resilient, and by the late 1990s, transportation employment represented only a minimal portion of the area's economy.

Remembering Victoria's rail heritage

In 2004, initials of VGN founders Henry Huttleston Rogers and William Nelson Page were engraved by volunteers in newly-laid rail at Victoria, Virginia, where former VGN caboose #342 is now displayed. Virginian Railway Cabooses photo by Tom Salmon, courtesy of Virginian Railway Enthusiasts on Yahoo

Early in the 21st century, work was begun to develop a rail heritage park and obtain a caboose to help present the town's rail heritage. After several years of work, one of the last C-10 cabooses built in-house by VGN employees at the company's massive shops complex in Princeton, West Virginia in the 1950s was located. Image File history File links HHR_and_WNP_Initials. ... Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29, 1840 – May 19, 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. ... William Nelson Page (January 6, 1854–March 7, 1932), was a United States civil engineer, entrepreneur, capitalist, businessman, and industrialist. ... Princeton is a city located in Mercer County, West Virginia. ...

Rail preservationist, historian, and photographer Kenneth Miller had purchased Caboose 342 in the 1980s, and had carefully restored it over a period of years. Miller, a long-time VGN fan, agreed to let Victoria have what is considered by many to be the finest extant VGN caboose for the new rail heritage park.

To prepare an appropriate display area for Caboose 342, a short stretch of roadbed was prepared, ballasted, and ties and rail were laid by volunteers in Victoria. The initials "H.H.R." and "W.N.P." were engraved as a lasting tribute to the founders of the Virginian Railway, Henry Huttleston Rogers and William Nelson Page. The Virginian Railway (AAR reporting mark VGN) was a Class 1 railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. ... Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29, 1840 – May 19, 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. ... William Nelson Page (January 6, 1854–March 7, 1932), was a United States civil engineer, entrepreneur, capitalist, businessman, and industrialist. ...

Late in 2004, Norfolk Southern carefully transported Caboose 342 from Roanoke to the NS rail yard at Crewe, Virginia. From there, it traveled overland by truck and was placed on the new rails at Victoria on December 22, 2004. Norfolk Southern Corporation (AAR reporting mark NS) NYSE: NSC is a US publicly-traded stock corporation based in Norfolk, Virginia. ... Aerial of Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke (The Star City of the South) is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. ... Crewe is a town located in Nottoway County, Virginia. ... December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

Books

• Lewis, Lloyd D. (1994) Norfolk & Western and Virginian Railways in Color by H. Reid. Lynchburg, Virginia: TLC Publishing Inc. ISBN 1-883089-09-3
• Reid, H. (1961) The Virginian Railway. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmback Publishing
• Reisweber, Kurt (1995) Virginian Rails 1953-1993 (1st ed.) Old Line Graphics. ISBN 1-879314-11-8
• Striplin, E. F. Pat. (1981) The Norfolk & Western : a history Roanoke, Va. : Norfolk and Western Railway Co. ISBN 0963325469
• Traser, Donald R. (1998) Virginia Railway Depots. Old Dominion Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. ISBN 0-9669906-0-9
• Wiley, Aubrey and Wallace, Conley (1985}. The Virginian Railway Handbook. Lynchburg, Virginia: W-W Publications.

Periodical, business, and on-line publications

• Beale, Frank D. (1955) The Virginian Railway Company 45th Annual Report Year Ended December 31, 1954. published in-house
• Cuthriell, N.L. (1956) Coal On The Move Via The Virginian Railway, reprinted with permission of Norfolk Southern Corporation in 1995 by Norfolk & Western Historical Society, Inc. ISBN 0-9633254-2-6
• Reid, H. (1953) "Trains & Travel Magazine" December, 1953 "Some Fine Engines" Kalmbach Publishing Co.

External links

• Victoria, Virginia homepage
• Victoria's new home for VGN Caboose 342 a community project with photos, updated 24 December 2004
• Virginian Railway (VGN) Enthusiasts non-profit group of preservationists, authors, photographers, historians, modelers, and railfans
• Norfolk & Western Historical Society covers Virginian history
• Virginia Museum of Transportation displays 2 of only 3 extant VGN steam and electric locomotives, located in Roanoke, VA
• Virginian Railway (VGN) Enthusiasts non-profit group of preservationists, authors, photographers, historians, modelers, and railfans
• listing of Virginian Railway authors and their works
• preserving the Virginian Railway Passenger Station at Roanoke Virginia a community project with photos requiring pdf file viewer
• Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society headquarters in restored Seaboard-Virginian passenger station at Suffolk, VA
• Norfolk Southern Corp website
• link to site of Railfan.net forum for Virginian Railway which has Roanoke Times Virginian Brethren story and photos

Coordinates: 36.993365° N -78.224891° E December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically); large version (pdf) The geographic (earth-mapping) coordinate system expresses every horizontal position on Earth by two of the three coordinates of a spherical coordinate system which is aligned with the spin axis of the Earth. ...

• Maps and aerial photos
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