Halifax County lies on the border with North Carolina in South Central Virginia. Much of the land in the County is rich and perfectly suited for agriculture. The population, according to an estimate for 2015, was 35,125. The population density is 42 people per square mile, within 818 square miles of land and 12 square miles of water.

At this time, there are no incorporated cities within the County. The county seat is the town of Halifax, and the largest town is South Boston. Until 1995, South Boston was an independent city located within the boundaries of Halifax County. In 1995, South Boston reverted to a town, and once again became part of Halifax County. Other incorporated towns in the County are Scottsburg, Halifax, and Virgilina. The unincorporated communities in the County are:

Alton
Clover
Cluster Springs
Cody
Nathalie
Turbeville
Vernon Hill

The major highways in Halifax County are U.S. Routes 15, 58, 360, and 501, and State Routes 34, 40, 49, 92, 96, 129, and 304.

Vehicle travel in rural areas can be dangerous, especially when driving conditions are not optimal. Travel can be complicated both by people unaware of speed limit changes in and around small towns and by irresponsible driving. If you, or a loved one, are injured in a vehicle crash or a pedestrian-involved accident, the legal team of Altizer Law, P.C., are here to help you. Our clients value the compassion of our team, the skill and success of our attorney, and our ability to obtain justice on their behalf.

History

Prior to the arrival of European Settlers, the area of Halifax County was inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years. When European settlers arrived, they brought with them a role in much of the young Nation’s history.

By an act of the legislature in 1752, Halifax County was created, using land taken from Lunenburg County. Originally Halifax County included areas that are now Pittsylvania, Henry, Patrick, and Franklin Counties, as well as a portion of Bedford County. It was named for George Montagu Dunk, the Second Earl of Halifax (England) and friend of Robert Dinwiddie, Colonial Governor of Virginia. In the same year, the Justices appointed for the County held their first meeting.

During the Revolutionary War, Halifax County played an important role. In “the Crossing of the Dan” General Cornwallis was unhappy about a lost battle at Cowpens. He was being pursued by Nathaniel Greene’s forces. Cornwallis wanted to rescue his captured soldiers and defeat Greene and his forces. Greene tried to draw Cornwallis away from the colonial army’s supply lines, so he fled northeast through North Carolina and into Virginia. To get to Virginia, however, it was necessary to cross the Dan River. In his rush to pursue Greene and his troops, Cornwallis failed to bring any boats. This allowed the colonial army to cross the Dan and leave Cornwallis watching them with no ability to follow.

The Civil War affected Halifax County, as it affected much of the South. The railroads in South Central Virginia were strategically crucial for Lee and his troops. General Grant, of course, wanted to cut off access to those railroads. The result was a series of skirmishes in the area with Generals Wilson and Kautz harassing the Confederate troops. The war in Halifax County included the Staunton River Battle.

After the war, the citizens of Halifax County played an important role. The American free public education system developed from roots in the area, where the right to equal education for all was debated and defended.

Halifax County, like most surrounding counties, thrived in a tobacco-based economy until the rise of the tobacco barons. When these large cooperatives ascended, the farms, warehouses, and factories dedicated to the tobacco industry could not compete and could not survive.

Through the years, agriculture, creativity, and the ability of its citizens to recognize and adapt to new opportunities, allowed Halifax County to survive and thrive. Their respect for the region’s role in history maintained landmarks and built a tourist industry around it and the achievements of the community.

In the northeastern areas of Halifax County is a settlement of Old Order Amish. They do not interact with the modern world under most circumstances, and as their religious beliefs require, they live a “plain life.” The Amish are peaceful people who dress, travel and behave in ways defined by the religious community. In addition to English, they speak “Pennsylvania Dutch,” a version of High German. Their agricultural produce and products are often available at Farmers markets or in stores that they operate.

Economy

Historically, the foundations of the County’s economy were in agriculture and tobacco production. The leading economic industries today (in terms of employment) are government (primarily local government), Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Service, and Transportation and Warehousing.

The top employers in Halifax County are:

Halifax County School Board
Halifax Regional Hospital
Dolgencorp LLC – Owner of a variety store chain, Dollar General
ABB Service Company Division — a Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, operating mainly in robotics and the power and automation technology areas. The Halifax County facility manufactures Electrical Equip., Appliances, & Components
Presto Products Company — Presto is a market-leading supplier of products ranging from private label food and disposer bags to packaging closures to soil stabilization materials to specialty stretch films. With entrepreneurial beginnings as a manufacturer of plastic bags and wrap, it is now a business of Reynolds Packaging Group.
Wal Mart
Faneuil, Inc. – Faneuil provides business process outsourcing to a number of sectors including healthcare, social programs, and transportation.
VIR, Virginia International Raceway – A multi-purpose road course offering professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing, as well as a wide range of track events.
Halifax County
Woodview Nursing Home
Sunshine Mills – provides a selection of quality, scientifically tested pet foods and treats to help your pets live a long, healthy life.
Annin and Company – Today Annin Flagmakers is America’s oldest and largest flag company, remaining heads and shoulders above any other U.S. flag manufacturing company in the United States.
Dominion Virginia Power
Lasco Bathware – the largest manufacturer of bathing fixtures in the United States, producing nearly a fourth of all bathing fixtures sold.
Huber Engineered Woods LI — Winner of Builder Magazine’s #1 Quality Brand Leader award every year since 2002 and featuring an unmatched, industry-leading warranty, AdvanTech flooring and sheathing products outperform the competition.

In addition to these top employers and industries, Halifax County is known for agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting.

It is not uncommon for employees to be hurt on the job. However, if your injury occurred due to damaged or defective equipment, failure of the employer to take all required steps to ensure the safety of their workers, or the mistakes or negligence of coworkers, you have a right to justice and to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more. If you feel that the employer’s insurance company is not treating you fairly, we can help you assess the cause of the event, liability for the event, and the level of compensation you should receive. If you need us to do so, we can speak with the insurance company on your behalf and negotiate a fair settlement.

Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

In the area of Health Care and Social Assistance, several organizations are among the top 50 employers in Halifax County. These include: Halifax Regional Hospital, Woodview Nursing Home, Care Advantage, Berry Hill Nursing Home, Personal Homecare, Inc., Southside Community Services, Halifax County Community Action, and Commonwealth Assisted Living at South Boston. There are also two correctional institutions in the County: Bedford County Adult Detention and Dillwyn Correctional Center.

The medical and nursing institutions and the correctional institutions in Halifax County are trustworthy and they are staffed by caring and committed people. Unfortunately, from time to time people make mistakes or lose control of a situation. If you, or a loved one, are harmed due to the mistakes or negligence of an institution or a provider, you have a right to take legal action. At Altizer Law, P.C., Bettina has vast successful experience helping victims of medical malpractice, nursing home neglect or nursing home abuse (or their families) to initiate legal action on your behalf. Successful legal action will not undo the damage done. It can, however, send a message to the offender. It can also result in a financial settlement that will help you put your life back together. We hope you never need us, but if you do, we are here to protect you and to win justice on your behalf.

Living In and Touring Halifax County

Halifax is a lively, diverse and exciting place to live and to visit. In addition to the beautiful countryside, there is something of special interest to everyone.

For those interested in the history of the region, one can begin at the Prizery with an exciting exhibit dedicated to the Revolutionary War in Halifax County and the Crossing of the Dan. There is an annual reenactment of the battle, as well. Life in the antebellum South is commemorated at Berry Hill Resort, the Tobacco Heritage Trail, Brooklyn Tobacco Factory (widely viewed as the best preserved antebellum tobacco factory in Virginia), the Brooklyn Store and Post Office, and the Staunton River Battlefield State Park. The 300-mile Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail includes four sites in Halifax County: Mary Bethune High School, Washington-Coleman Elementary School, Mizpah Church, and Meadville Community Center. Also informative and exciting is the L.E. Coleman African-American Museum, which includes a wonderful collection of artifacts of Africa-American art and culture.

Those interested in arts and culture can find much to see and do. Bob Cage’s Sculpture Farm is an open field with a constantly evolving sculpture display. The Robert F. Cage Art Gallery is located in the Prizery Fine Arts and Community Center. Exhibitions of sculpture, painting, quilting, photography, and more are mounted on a rotating basis. The Summer Theatre Celebration brings together professionals who prepare and present musical theatre. The centerpiece of the arts in Halifax County is the South Boston Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History. The Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens is a lovely place to visit and to learn about gardening in the area.

For those who wish to enjoy the outdoors, there are many options. There are four parks in the County, Occoneechee State Park on Buggs Island Lake. The lake is the largest in Virginia. It is a place to experience the history and lifestyle of the Occoneechee Indians and plantation life in the 1800s. It offers boating and hiking. Edmunds Park was once Edmund’s Dairy Farm, and it offers walking trails gardens, sports facilities, and picnic area. Staunton River State Park is one of the first 6 state parks opened in June of 1936. It is located along the shoreline of the John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) and the Dan ad Staunton Rivers.

Equestrians will enjoy Shangrila Guest Ranch, Falkland Farms, Chiefla Stables and Bit by Bit Farm. Riding trails are also available at Staunton River State Park and along the Tobacco Heritage Trail.

For those who enjoy activities on and near the water, in addition to Buggs Island Lake, which offers wonderful striper fishing. Staunton River State Park is favored by tournament fishermen. They are drawn to the large blue flathead, and channel catfish. There are also large-mouth bass, white bass, crappie, sunfish and striper. Banister Lake and Banister River is not only beautiful and a great place for canoeing and kayaking, but is also a preferred fishing spot. Lake Conner, owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is a 100 acre lake in a wooded setting. It holds the state record for largemouth bass since 1985. One can fish for large-mouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, chain pickerel, yellow perch and bullhead catfish. It is popular with all fishermen from beginners to experts.

The Virginia International Raceway in South Boston is one of the premiere short tracks in the country. It was recently chosen by Car and Driver Magazine as one of the top six road courses in the nation. This track offers professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing, as well as truck events. The facility also offers a number of other sports and driving experiences.

Agriculture has been the foundation of Halifax County’s economy for generations. Those interested in agritourism should visit Hudson Heritage Farms, Shangrila Retreat Guest Ranch, Falkland Farms, Bib by Bit Farm, and Chiefla Stables. Three agriculture based events are the Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival, The Virginia Cantaloupe Festival and the Halifax County Fair. Halifax County also boasts four wineries: Bright Meadows Farm Vineyard and Winery, Greenwood Vineyards, Hunting Creek Vineyards, and Molliver Vineyards and Winery. Finally, those who want to enjoy the produce of these farms will want to visit Windmill Farm Bake Shop, the Halifax Farmers Market, and the South Boston Farmers Market.

Call Altizer Law, P.C.

Altizer Law, P.C., is a personal injury and medical malpractice firm, primarily. We know that when people are injured due to the wrongdoing, negligence or mistakes of others their life changes quickly. These changes also affect everyone in their families. It is a frightening time, and it is natural to worry about how you will take care of your family, pay the bills, get better, and protect your job. Our compassionate team works with people to protect them from further harm, to help them assess the event that caused them harm, and investigate liability for their injuries. When hired, we work aggressively and persistently to negotiate or go to trial to win for our clients the maximum legally-defined settlement possible. We cannot undo the harm you have been done. We can, however, win a financial settlement for you that will enable you to recover and to rebuild your life.