Located in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, Buena Vista sits on the East side of the Maury River at the Western foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city was founded with the construction of a tannery at the intersection of the Richmond and Alleghany R
ailroad with the Shenandoah Valley Railroad and the James River Canal. Buena Vista is located 3.5 miles from the North-South Interstate 81. The primary highways through the city are US 60 and US 501.
The City of Buena Vista is surrounded by, but independent of, Rockbridge County. It is an area of 6.7 sq. mi. of land and 0.08 sq. mi. of water. The city’s 6,680 residents live in areas considered 96 percent urban and 4 percent rural. The population density is 992 per square mile.
Due to its history of major flooding from the Maury River and inland streams, the James C. Olin Flood Control Project (finished in 1997) was undertaken to reduce the potential for flood damage.
Education. Buena Vista is home to Southern Virginia University. Founded in 1867 as Bowling Green Female Seminary, it moved to the beautiful resort hotel (built in 1890) in 1900 and changed its name to Southern Seminary. That building is now known as Main Hall, and is listed on the National Register of 
Historic Places. The school operated as a junior college from 1922 until 1996, when financial instabilities threatened closure, as well as declining enrollments. At that time a group of Latter-day Saints assumed responsibility for the college and its assets (and liabilities). They converted the school into a four year liberal arts college, enrolling 74 students. In 2001 the name of the school was changed to Southern Virginia University, which now has more 800 students.
The college years are certainly a time to learn. They are also a time when young people test the waters and decide who they are and what they want to make of their lives. There are bound to be mistakes when young people push against boundaries and explore the world around them with people who have grown up different from them. Sometimes the mistakes are relatively innocent. But sometimes the mistakes have consequences – some quite serious. Whether you are (or your child is) a student who has made a mistake with consequences or you are a local resident who might be dealing with the consequences of a student’s mistake, Altizer Law, P.C, is here for you. We will help everyone involved to understand the nature of the mistake and its consequences. When we become your legal team, we are on your side, and only on your side.
Economy. Buena Vista has been the industrial nucleus of the area since the late 19th Century. Manufacturing activity built around natural resources, textiles, and several industrial, commercial, and residential goods. The work ethic of the residents of the city has enabled these industries to thrive and has won awards for some companies. The Dana Corporation manufacturing facility received the U.S. Senate Productivity Award in 1992. When Des Champs Laboratories, Inc. in Rockbridge County was awarded the 1997 Virginia Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Dr. Des Champs (President of the company) attributed their success to the quality of the local work force.
Other major firms include:
- Modine Manufacturing Company: thermal management — designing, manufacturing and testing heat transfer products for a wide variety of applications and markets.
- Hermetite Division Mundet Industries Inc. Plant, which produces industrial supplies and machinery; industrial equipment and supplies .
- Munters Corporation, which does Air Treatment Manufacturing and sales of commercial and industrial comfort, process and environmental systems.
- Everbrite, LLC, a local company that produces electric lighted signs.
- Sayre Incorporated manufactures, embellishes and distributes a wide range of goods for Military and civilian customers.
- Hunter Defense Technologies, which provides rapidly deployable tactical shelters, heaters, generators and air filtration devices.
- Shenandoah Hardwood Lumber, a logging and sawmill company.
- Fitzgerald Lumber and Log Co, which produces, distributes, and exports hardwood lumber products.
- Fastenal, distributor and supplier of OEM, MRO, and construction products.
Working in any industrial setting can be dangerous. There may be danger inherent in the job itself, or the danger might lie in the risk of safety shortcuts or human error. Lack of adequate training can be a very real risk for other workers when new employees come on board. Some industrial injuries are serious and life-changing. When these accidents occur, you need a personal injury attorney on your side to carefully analyze the accident resulting in your injury and determine responsibility and liability. You might need an attorney to represent you with the firm’s insurance company or with management, to ensure you are being treated fairly and compensated appropriately.
Various levels of government employ many city residents. This includes Buena Vista City Public Schools, the City of Buena Vista, the City of Lexington, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Virginia Rural Water Association. Unfortunately, even government employees can be subject to harm or injury related to their work. Injuries associated with government jobs can range from a mail carrier being bitten by a dog to electrical shock or electrocution, to task-related injuries and harassment. In any of these cases, your needs are important. The experience of Altizer Law, P.C., can help you if you are injured or harmed. Call us, and we will be there to fight for you and for your rights.
Those who provide healthcare and social assistance are very important to the city’s residents. This sector includes:
- Ggnsc (a skilled nursing care facility)
- Valley Program Aging Services Inc
- Total Action Against Poverty
- Rockbridge Area Community Services Board
- Healthcare Services Group
- Buena Vista Rescue Squad
- Rockbridge Area Occupational Center
- The Stonewall Jackson Hospital (in Lexington)
The people who work in healthcare and social assistance are usually caring people who are well trained for the work they do. Occasionally, mistakes are made. When mistakes are made in healthcare, nursing care, and other kinds of social assistance, people are hurt or harmed. Medical malpractice can occur on any level of medical care in any facility. If you are harmed, or a loved one dies, due to medical malpractice, call Altizer Law, P.C. We have been helping people find healing from medical malpractice for more than 25 years. We will help you understand your rights, plan for your recovery, and negotiate with or sue the appropriate insurance companies, and fight for your rights, for justice, and for fair compensation under Virginia law.
Agriculture is very important in surrounding Rockbridge County, with more than 40 percent of the 
county in farm land. Must of the remaining land is in national and state-owned forest land. The soil and the surface features of the area are ideal for livestock production. Grain crops, hay and pasture are raised to feed the animals raised on the land, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, and hogs. A number of Buena Vista residents work in agriculture.
Mining and Quarrying. Mineral resources are found and mined throughout Rockbridge County, as well. Buena Vista residents also work in mining and quarrying such minerals as limestone, dolomite, quartzite and shale (mined commercially). Also plentiful in the area are marl, sand, gravel, silica sand, clay, tin, and unakite.
Accidents happen every day in agriculture and mining. People make mistakes when they are tired, equipment malfunctions, misjudgments are made, animals refuse to cooperate, and weather causes harm or damage. If you are injured at work in agriculture or mining through no fault of your own, call Altizer Law, P.C., immediately. We will analyze the event that caused your injury, work with appropriate officials to assess the cause of the accident, and represent you with insurance companies, your employer, and others to negotiate for payment of your medical bills, compensation for loss of income and any harm done to you, and if necessary represent you in court. We will work with you and advocate for you to resolve all issues related to your injury and to obtain appropriate compensation for you and your family.
Recreation. When not working or studying, Buena Vista residents have ample opportunities for play and enjoyment. The sheer beauty of the area, combined with the Maury River, the Rockbridge County section of the Appalachian Trail, and the Glen Maury Park and Campground offer a wide range of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, camping, golfing, and more.
Buena Vista also offers a number of historic and new venues, including the Buena Vista River Walk, the Farmer’s Market, The General Store (established in 1891), Downtown Buena Vista, and nearby sites such as Natural Bridge, Goshen Pass, the Cyrus McCormick Farm, and a variety of options in next-door Lexington.
The presence of manufacturing and distribution concerns in your neighborhood also brings trucks and tractor-trailers to your roadways. If you are involved in a truck accident that was not your fault, you should contact a personal injury attorney to unravel the levels of liability and pursue your rights and fair compensation for your hurts and harms. Altizer Law, P.C., has extensive experience representing accident victims and relentlessly pursuing their rights and just compensation for their injuries.
If you are injured through the negligence of another person (or a business), whether in a car crash, a bicycling accident, or a slip and fall accident that causes you injury, call the compassionate and competent team of Altizer Law, P.C. When you do, we will spring into action to help you and build a case on your behalf. We will be with you through every step of the journey to winning just compensation for you and for your family.