Floyd County’s website offers this description: “Floyd County is a unique mountain community known for its music, its natural beauty, its arts, and its diverse, caring people. Located atop the Blue Ridge Plateau in southwestern Virginia, Floyd County is a haven removed from the rush of urbanity, yet alive
with the sounds, colors and textures of rural life.” This is a very appropriate description.
Floyd County has a population of 15,279 (2015 estimated) and occupies 382 square miles (381 square miles of land and 0.9 square miles of water. The population density is 41 people per square mile.
Two major highways run through Floyd County: US 221 and SR 8. Most other roads are typical for a predominantly rural area.
Floyd County sits on a high plateau of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which divides east-flowing and west-flowing waters. There are no streams flowing into Floyd County. The area is drained by Little River and Kanawha River. Shooting Creek, named for the speed of the water flowing over rocks was the location of several moonshine distilleries and the related crime.
Two national protected areas include parts of Floyd County. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through part of the county, and Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve.
History
Trappers, hunters and traders arrived in Southwest Virginia in the 18th Century. The Trader’s Path ran from east to west through the area that is now Floyd County, across the Roanoke River where Black Creek joins the river. Settlement of the area began in the 1740s. This was the period of the first survey on the land. By 1745 the Virginia Council made a grant of 100,000 acres to James Patton and others. This was located on the New River and the westward flowing waters, including the Little River area. In 1749 another grant was made to the Royal Company of Virginia. The two companies now competed to settle the area.
The county of Floyd was created in 1831 out of Montgomery County. It was named for John Floyd, who was Virginia’s governor at the time. The courthouse was built in 1834. In 1870 some of Franklin County was carved out and added to Floyd County. The county seat was originally called Jacksonville (for Andrew Jackson). The town was incorporated in 1858, and re-incorporated in 1892 to enlarge the boundaries of the town. In 1896, the Virginia General Assembly officially changed its name of the town to Floyd.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Floyd County relied upon agriculture and textile manufacturing to 
support its economy. During the Great Depression many found employment in the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This program also built a park and an access road to the creative arts of Floyd County.
In the 1960s and 1970s Floyd County drew a large number of people who wanted to a nature-based lifestyle. These people were often called “the counterculture.” In the late 1990s, a group of Christians in the Reformed tradition established a community called Rivendell. They established the community in order to separate themselves and live according to their interpretation of the Bible, and to isolate themselves from potentially corrupting and disruptive influences, particularly those related to the Y2K computer problem. Most of the original members of this community have left the area now.
Communities
Floyd County contains no incorporated cities. There are a number of towns and other communities:
- Alum Ridge
- Burks Fork
- Carthage
- Check
- Conners Grove
- Copper Hill
- Court House
- Duncan
- Floyd
- Haycock
- Hemlock
- Huffville
- Indian Valley
- Laurel Branch
- Little River
- Locust Valley
- Mabry Mill
- Pizarro
- Poff
- Shelors Mill
- Simpsons
- Smart
- Sowers
- Terrys Fork
- Turtle Rock
- Union
- Willis
No matter how beautiful the area or how cohesive the community, sometimes accidents happen and people are injured by the misdeeds or negligence of another. If you, or a loved one, are injured through no fault of your own, please call Altizer Law, P.C. We are here to answer your questions, to help you 
determine liability in the event that resulted in your injury, and to build a solid legal case for you. We will represent you in negotiation with an insurance company or in litigation in a court of law to ensure that you receive justice and appropriate compensation for your hurts and harms.
Economy
Floyd County has a diverse economy. The people of the County are predominantly employed by government (all levels), Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, Construction, and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting.
The County’s largest employers are:
- Floyd County School Board
- Hollingsworth and Vose Company — The Hollingsworth & Vose facility has been an important employer in Floyd for many years. The Floyd plant produces carded and meltblown nonwoven composites for filtration and other specialty industrial applications. The company has been in Floyd County since 1976.
- Strengthening Our System, Inc — Strengthening Our System, Inc. (SOS) is a private, for-profit human services agency. Our mission is to promote independence, increased daily living skills, personal empowerment, and improved quality of life through the provision of home and community based services and supports to children and adults with Intellectual Disability (ID), Developmental Disabilities (DD) and/or Mental Health (MH) issues.
- County of Floyd
- Riverbend Nursery — Riverbend Nursery is a progressive container grower of quality perennials, herbs, groundcovers, and ornamental grasses. A Wholesale Only grower, Riverbend sells to independent garden centers, landscapers, and distributors. Riverbend Nursery primarily services the Mid-Atlantic States.
- Chateau Morrisette Winery
- Bank of Floyd
- Wall Residences — At Wall Residences, our purpose is to support people to live the lives they find meaningful and fulfilling. We do this through a focus on Person Centered Practices, which looks at what is important to a person in their life (their relationships, things they want to do, places they want to go) and helping them finding balance between that and with what is important for their well-being (staying healthy and safe, as well as being a valued member of their community).
- Skyline Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Citizens’ Telephone Co-operative
- Food Lion
- Slaughter’s Supermarket
- Kesler Contracting and Property Management
- Mickey G’s Bistro & Pizzeria
- Sino American Trading Company — An importer/exporter of leather (Full vegetable tanned & latigo vegetable retan; Box – extra Hi-shine, Hi-shine, Medium shine & Dull; Finished Bonded leather for Belts/Leather goods/Novelties, Full vegetable tanned & latigo vegetable retan; Box – extra Hi-shine, Hi-shine, Medium shine & Dull; Finished Bonded leather for Belts/Leather goods/Novelties).
If you have suffered harm due to the negligence or the mistake of a health care provider, you may be eligible for appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses. The Bettina Altizer and her team have been pursuing medical malpractice and wrongful death actions for our clients for more than 25 years. We understand the fear, the pain, the frustration, and the losses associated with medical malpractice. We pursue these cases with determination and tenacity. If you believe you have a medical malpractice case, call us to schedule an appointment. We will sit down with you and evaluate the incident with you. Then, if you hire us, we will pursue appropriate compensation on your behalf.
Outdoor Adventures
This mountain community offers many opportunities to enjoy nature or to enjoy a range of outdoor adventures. Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve is the perfect place to discover rare plants and to watch the local deer and other wildlife. The Little River draws many visitors for canoeing, kayaking, and
fishing. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers 40 miles for driving, hiking, bicycling and provides limitless opportunities for exploration of the surrounding area and the local towns.
Apple Ridge Farm provides outdoor activities for all ages, ranging from hiking and camping, to Retreats, to Weddings. Chantilly Farm is another popular venue for outdoor activities. It is the location of the annual Bluegrass and BBQ festival and the Floyd Auto Fair. Fishing and guided fly fishing experiences are available on Little River and the New River. Camping, hiking, and picnicking can be enjoyed at Rocky Knob Recreation Area, one of the first developed areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Smart View Recreational Area offers 500 acres of hiking trails, picnic grounds, and more.
For those who prefer a less active adventure, Floyd County is home to the much-photographed Mabry Mill. One can also visit some of the rock churches in the area. Each of these churches was built of native stones from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Floyd County Historical Society Museum is also very interesting and it is open to the public.
The Mountain Industry Trail is an easy walk of less than half a mile. There are a number of informative displays along the trail including buildings, farm implements and a whiskey still. This is a wonderful way to discover how people lived in the rural areas on Appalachia and other similar areas. There are live experiences at times that demonstrate grsitmilling, spinning and blacksmithing.
Music and Arts
Music and the Arts have become the center of the cultural life of Floyd County. Music typically features bluegrass and other local music styles
Blue Ridge Music Center
County Sales – the World’s Largest Selection of Bluegrass and Old-Time Music
Floyd Community Theatre Guild
Floyd Music School
Jacksonville Center for the Arts –The mission is to facilitate and showcase artistic endeavors and creativity; to provide education in the arts throughout our rural community and region.
Oak Grove Pavilion
The Crooked Road – Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail – a driving route through the Appalachian Mountains from the Blue Ridge to the Coalfields region.
The Floyd Country Store – an old-time country store featuring Appalachian music and dancing each weekend.
Wildwood Farm, a Daylily farm, offers live music weekly.
Floyd County is also home to a large artisan community. They create Appalachian quilts and modern carvings, and everything between. There are many exhibits throughout the year. One enclave of craftsmen is 16 Hands. The Old Church Gallery is dedicated to educational arts and history. It offers a wonderful introduction to the artistic and historical heritage of Floyd County and the surroundings. Ocotilla’s Mountainside Alpacas is devoted to the care, breeding and selling of Alpacas and their 
products. Phoenix Hardwoods uses local hardwoods and slabs to create unique furniture and accessories. The Dragonfly Farm creates natural body products. Many of these local products are sold by the unique and fascinating array of galleries and stores.
In addition to the usual farm produce, Floyd County also has two vineyards (Chateau Morrisette and Villa Appalaccia) producing acclaimed wine products. The Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine operates local herb gardens used to produce, teach and serve as a regional medicinal herb center. This non-profit also offers healthcare, education and exercise classes. Foggy Ridge Cider blends more than 30 international apple varieties to make traditional hard cider. Josephine Porter Institute offers Biodynamic Preparations based on those of Rudolf Steiner. Riverstone Organic Farm, and Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary round out Floyd County’s unique agricultural offerings.
There is also a very active wellness community in Floyd County. Members of the community offer Appalachian herb traditions, Chinese medicinal herbs and medicine, yoga, massage, dance, and local kambucha and smoothies. They also offer a full range of holistic treatments, training, classes and products.
Call Altizer Law, P.C.
Bettina Altizer and her team are experienced and aggressive in pursuing just compensation for our clients. We help people who have been injured through no fault of their own – auto accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, products liability, and many other causes of injuries and death. If you, or a loved one, have been injured due to the wrongdoing or negligence of another person, call us. We are here for you, and only for you.