Appomattox County, served by Altizer Law, P.C., for personal injury and medical malpractice matters, is located near the center of Virginia, in the rolling hills of the Piedmont region. The name of the County derives from the Appomattox River, which rises within the county borders. The river was named for the 
Appamatuck Indians, who were members of the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan Confederacy. The county seat is the town of Appomattox, which is the largest town in the County. Appomattox County encompasses 335 square miles (333 square miles in land; 1.2 square miles in water). It is governed by a Board of Supervisors.
Appomattox County was created from sections of four other counties in 1845. According to the 2010 census, the population of the County was 14,973, an increase of more than 9 percent over the 2000 census. The estimated population in 2015 was 15,414 people. The population density was 46 people per square mile. There are two incorporated towns within Appomattox County: Appomattox and Pamplin City. Part of the County, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, is a national protected area.
Access to the county and its towns and neighborhoods is primarily by road. The main highways are
- US Route 60
- US Route 460
- State Route 24
- State Route 26
- State Route 47
- State Route 131
Car crashes happen. If you or a loved one is injured in a highway accident, Altizer Law, P.C., is ready to help you. We help people put their lives back together in the aftermath of injuries sustained due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. When you call us, or contact us through the Altizer Law App, you will be embraced by the compassionate care of our team, and your legal matter will be evaluated and represented by one of the region’s most respected attorneys. Bettina fights for each client with determination and tenacity to win for you the justice you deserve and the maximum financial settlement under Virginia law to help you get back on your feet.
History
The area that is now Pamplin City is believed to have become a community of European settlers as early as the late 18th century. In the early 1800s Thomas Merriman bought property where he built his home and a shoe shop. In 1833 Nicholas Pamplin bought 29 acres of land that straddled the county border between what was then Charlotte and Prince William Counties.
In 1854, Pamplin donated a large tract of land for the projected Norfolk and Western Railroad. It was his foresight in understanding the importance of the railroad for the community that led residents to name the town for him.
The town was located at the intersection of two major Norfolk and Western railroad lines. It quickly became a 19th century railroad boom town, with great promise. Hotels, shops, and banks were built on Main Street, with fashionable homes rising throughout the town. The railroad was the cornerstone of the town’s economy. When rail travel declined, Pamplin’s fortunes declined, as did the fortune of the town. In about 1880, the Pamplin Pipe Factory was built. It became the largest producer of clay smoking pipes in the world, producing one million pipes per month at one time. It remained operational until 1951. Other businesses in Pamplin included a tobacco warehouse, several stores, a flour mill, three hotels, and a bank that was the largest in the country in 1919.
The 1990s brought a renewed interest in the town, as well as its history and its future. During the next 10 years, the former Norfolk and Western depot was renovated, a residential neighborhood was rehabilitated, and the town made upgrades to the water and sewer systems.
Appomattox County came to national attention when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Civil War. The surrender occurred at the McLean House on April 9, 1865.
Before and during the Civil War the town of Appomattox was known as Nebraska, VA. It was the location of a railroad depot on the Petersburg – Lynchburg line. However, the location was not convenient to the Court House. This led to a decline of the courthouse area. In 1892 the Court House building was destroyed by fire. The remnants of the old court house were abandoned. The new Court House was built near the depot, and the town became the county seat in 1894. One year later, the town was renamed “West Appomattox.”
The arrival of the National Park Service in the 1930’s brought renewal to the historic courthouse village. The Service rebuilt both the old courthouse and the McLean House. The Clover Hill Tavern and Old County Jail were also restored. The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is the center of tourism in the area.
Economy
Today, the economy of Appomattox County is different. The leading industries in terms of number of employees (according to the Virginia Employment Commission’s 2010 report) are:
- Government (primarily local government)
- Retail Trade
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Accommodation and Food Service
- Construction
The 20 largest employers are:
- Appomattox County Schools
- Wal Mart
- Appomattox County Board of Supervisors
- Home Recovery – home health and rehabilitation
- Kroger
- Gretna Health Care Center
- Virginia Department of State Police
- Farmers Bank of Appomattox
- McDonald’s
- Jes Evergreen, LLC – foundation repair and waterproofing
- Larry F. Smith, MD, PC
- Delta Response Team, LLC – ambulance service
- Tacoma Inc – Taco Bell management
- VDOT
- Appomattox Lime Company — Quarry
- Wendy’s
- Stallworks LLC – horse stalls and barn doors
- Hardee’s
- Vanessa D. Harvey — photography
- Appomattox Glass – glass and bathroom supply
In a county where health care and social assistance is the third-largest employer industry, there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. We know that these providers are committed to their work and to their patients. We know that delivering quality care is important to them. Unfortunately, people make mistakes, they lose focus, they become distracted and people are hurt. Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are very careful to hire the right people. But as we all know, the wrong person can be hired and people can be harmed in a number of ways. If you, or a loved one, are hurt or harmed due to medical malpractice, or by nursing home abuse or neglect, call Altizer Law, P.C. We have the experience, knowledge, and skill to help you, or your loved one, seek justice and obtain the best possible financial settlement for your hurts and harms or for a wrongful death.
Attractions and Points of Interest
Whether interested in recreation, history, or arts and culture, Appomattox has much to offer to both residents and tourists.
Without question, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is the centerpiece of tourism in the County. The Appomattox County Historical Museum at Court House Square will also be of interest. The museum is located in the old Appomattox jail building and features Civil War history and relics of life in an earlier time.
Visitors will also enjoy the Turn of the Century Walking Tour, a self-guided tour of 50 stops, including buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The Carver-Price Legacy Museum is a showcase of a rich local African American history. Clover Hill Village, a six acre living history village offers a look at daily life from 1840 to 1920. The Museum of the Confederacy explores the lives of soldiers, civilians and African American during and after the Civil War.
Also fascinating is the Hazel Moon Resource Center, containing artifacts of the missionary to Africa. Another unique and historically significant attraction is the Pamplin Pipe Factory. The kiln at the factory dates back to the Appomatuck Indian tribe. Other points of interest within the County are Cub Creek Pottery, Appomattox Courthouse Theatre, Steins Unlimited (one of the world’s largest collections of antique steins), and the Joel Sweeney (believed to be the inventor of the five string banjo) Birthplace and Gravesite. The Appomattox History Trail traces the last hours of the Confederacy.
Nearby points of interest include The Blue Ridge Parkway, Natural Bridge, The National D-Day Memorial, and Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
For those interested in recreation and outdoor activities, a great starting point in Appomattox County is the High Bridge Trail State Park, one of Virginia’s newest State Parks. It is a 30-mile liner park built on an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The western terminus is in Pamplin. It is a multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The focal point of the trail is High Bridge, a railroad bridge more than 2,400 feet long and 160 feet high.
Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy the Appomattox Court House Birding and Wildlife Loop, where surprises can be found in unexpected places. The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest includes 19,535 acres and two lakes. Holiday Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, chain pickerel and northern pike. The Holliday Creek Trout Fishing Area is stocked with brown and rainbow trout. This is also a popular place for geo-caching. Also in the forest is the Carter Taylor Multi-use Trail, a 12-mile loop.
The Clayton C. Bryant Arena is devoted to barrel racing. In addition to shows, spectators can also become riders. Another fun venue is the Elk Creek Disc Golf Course. For those who love horses and natural beauty, Old Dominion Trail Rides is a perfect destination. The James River is an ideal place for boating, canoeing, and kayaking.
Call Altizer Law, P.C.
In addition to car crashes and other traffic accidents and medical malpractice and nursing home abuse and neglect, we also help people with cases arising from premises liability (when the property presented danger or the failure to maintain the property caused the event) and product liability (when dangerous or defective products cause injury to the user). In short, if you or a loved one is injured through no fault of your/their own, we can help you to obtain justice and the maximum appropriate financial settlement to help you move forward with life. When you need us, we are here for you, and only for you – Your shield of protection. Your sword for justice.