Shortly after the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, English settlers and explorers began branching out to other areas. About one of these, Sir Thomas Dale wrote:
“Eighty miles up our river from Jamestown, I have surveyed a convenient, strong, healthie and sweete site to plant a new towne (according as I had instructions upon my departure) there to build whence might be removed the principal site.”
Today known as Farrars Island, located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the site measured 5,000 acres and had a shoreline of seven miles on the James River. Originally named in honor of Henry Frederick, the elder son of King James I, the city was complete by 1619; “Henricus Citie” contained three streets of well-framed houses, a church, storehouses, a hospital and watchtowers.
Now known as Chesterfield County, the city gained a college in 1693, when the College of William and Mary was awarded a royal charter. In 1749, the first county seat was established at Chesterfield Court House.
Today’s Chesterfield County, located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has a population of approximately 316,236 and is the fourth-largest municipality in Virginia. The county covers an area of 437 square miles. Since the birth of Dale’s new “towne,” Chesterfield County has witnessed much history, including Indian massacres, the coming of the “iron horse” and the Civil War. A normal school founded by the state after the American Civil War primarily to help educate freedmen eventually became Virginia State University, located in the Ettrick area.
Beginning the 20th century, Chesterfield County experienced tremendous growth, especially as a commuter town of Richmond. The large planned community of Brandermill was, during that decade, named the “best planned community in America” by Better Homes and Gardens magazine and the National Association of Homebuilders. In May 2004, Chesterfield was named the “17th Best Place to Live in America” by the American City Business Journals.
Chesterfield County is largely bordered by two rivers which define miles of its boundaries. Much of the southern and eastern portions of the county are considered part of the Tri-Cities area, which includes Petersburg, located at the fall line.
The median household income for this county is $58,537. Chesterfield County Public Schools is the local school system, and it has received the US Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award.
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