Lynchburg History

Lynchburg History. Ninth and Main Streets. The James River originates in the mountains to the west and flows through Lynchburg and Richmond before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. In 1757, the Lynch family built a ferry across the James River ahead of you at the foot of this hill; today, the Langley Fountain marks the ferry location. The settlement that became Lynchburg grew around the ferry landing. From there, tobacco and other crops were shipped downriver on the James River and Kanawha Canal using canoes, batteaux, and canal boats., By 1860, three railroads also served the city, with depots near the riverfront. During the Civil War, this transportation network made Lynchburg a Confederate training center, supply base, and hospital center second only to Richmond. More than 30 buildings and many private homes were used to house the sick and wounded., Throughout the 19th century, tobacco sales and processing fueled the regional economy, making Lynchburg one of the wealthiest cities in the nation. Manufacturing plants along the river made shoes, paper, iron products, and other goods until the mid-1970s., This intersection has also been a commercial and banking hub for many years. Downtown Lynchburg declined later in the 20th century, as did many other city centers. It has seen a recent rebirth through historic preservation and the adaptive reuse of properties., Ninth Street connects the site of Lynch’s Ferry to Monument Terrace, the set of grand stairs and landings behind you that commemorate Lynchburg’s military service. The World War I bronze at the base is Charles Keck’s The Listening Post. Lynchburg’s Confederate memorial statue, erected in 1900, and the Lynchburg Museum are it the top., (sidebar) , Lynchburg is a city rich in the history of Virginia and the nation. As with any city, some of our sites and buildings that reflect that history have changed over the centuries since Lynchburg’s origins in the 1750s. You can see for yourself the city’s historic places and how they have changed or remained intact. Just let the map guide you to the many historical markers that are located downtown. Enjoy learning about Lynchburg!, The Lynchburg History marker program is a partnership of the City of Lynchburg Museum System, Dept. of Communication and Marketing and Dept. of Parks and Recreation, discoverlynchburg, Lynchburg Historical Foundation, and Lynch’s Landing