Henry County, located in the southern part of Virginia, touching the state line with North Carolina, is a lovely area, offering many outdoor adventures and points of interest for both residents and visitors. The 2015 estimate placed the population of the county at 51,881 people. The area of the county is 384 square miles: 382 square miles in land and 2 square miles of water. The population density was 135 people per square mile.

The county seat of Henry County is usually identified as the city of Martinsville (actually an independent municipality). However, the county administrative offices and the county courthouse are actually located in the town of Collinsville. At this time, there is some expectation that the city of Martinsville will revert to township status in order to ensure that all residents have access to needed services. Until that occurs, Ridgeway is the only incorporated town within the county.

There are a number of unincorporated communities within Henry County:

• Axton
• Bassett
• Chatmoss
• Collinsville
• Fieldale
• Horsepasture
• Laurel Park
• Oak Level
• Preston
• Sandy Level
• Spencer
• Stanleytown
• Villa Heights

History

In 1777, Patrick Henry County was created from Pittsylvania County. At the time, Patrick Henry was serving as the first Governor of the Commonwealth after the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry owned a 10,000 acre plantation named Leatherwood. A few years later (1785), the northern part of Patrick Henry County was separated out and combined with part of Bedford County to create Franklin County. Five years later, Patrick Henry County was divided into two counties. The western part became Patrick County and the eastern part became Henry County.

Henry County is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The members of the board represent the six supervisor districts of Blackberry, Collinsville, Horsepasture, Iriswood, Reed Creek, and Ridgeway.

Getting Around

Henry County is currently accessible via two highways: US 58 and US 220; and by 5 State Highways: SR 57, SR 87, SR 108, SR 174, and SR 457. In the future, construction of Interstate 73 will pass through Henry County. The town of Ridgeway and other more populous communities certainly present hazards for drivers. Travel on the county’s highways presents other hazards, as driving at a high rate of speed and typical rural road conditions combine.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 16 highway fatalities in 2015. This was a 23 percent increase over the number of fatalities in 2014. Henry County is, in fact, on of Virginia’s top ten counties for traffic fatalities. Nearly half of those fatalities resulted from single vehicle crashes. Three-fourths of those fatalities resulted from crashes that involved a roadway departure. Only two fatalities resulted from alcohol-involved or speeding-involved crashes.

If you, or a loved one, are injured in a car crash, call the experienced team of Altizer Law, P.C. We will help you retain the critical information about the crash that would be necessary to build a personal injury case or a wrongful death case. We will answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about the crash and your legal rights. If you were not at fault for the crash, you have the right to seek justice and appropriate compensation for injuries sustained in the crash. We have the experience and the tenacity to represent you in appropriate legal action and to obtain for you the maximum compensation allowed under Virginia law.

Economy

The U.S. Census Bureau reports the following business data for the year 2014:

• 55 percent of County residents were part of the local labor force.
• 821 total employer establishments
• Total employment of 11,119

Type of workers in Henry County:

• Private wage or salary 71 percent
• Government 2 percent
• Self-employed, not incorporated 27 percent

Top industries

• Manufacturing
• Government (all levels)
• Retail Trade
• Health care and social assistance
• Transportation and Warehousing

Top Henry County employers:

• Henry County School Board
• Cpfilms, Inc – Eastman Chemical Company manufacturing site in Fieldale
• GSI Solutions – warehousing and fulfillment services
• Springs Global US — Coordinated lines of bed and bathroom linens and a range of home furnishings. Includes handmade rugs, baby garments, and blankets.
• Monogram Management Services — Monogram’sbroad portfolio of products included products such as beef jerky, sausage, hot dogs, pre-cooked bacon, and other processed food items.
• Patrick Henry Community College
• County of Henry
• Hanesbrands — a socially responsible manufacturer and marketer of leading everyday basic apparel under some of the world’s strongest apparel brands
• Bassett Furniture Industries
• Food Lion
• NV Warehouse Company – Warehouse for Nautica clothing chain
• ICF Inc — We provide professional services and technical solutions that maximize impact for people, businesses, and government in areas critical to the world’s future.
• GCA Staffing Services
• Axcess Resources – staffing services
• Gretna Health Care Center

Manufacturing and warehousing can be dangerous work. If you, or a loved one, are injured on the job through no fault of your own, you might have difficulty dealing with your employer’s insurance company. Worker’s compensation should pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs during your recovery. Most firms are conscientious in honoring these liabilities. But if your injury resulted from the negligence or mistakes of another employee, the issues may become complicated. If you need legal advice or a legal representative to negotiate with the insurance company, call us. At Altizer Law, P.C, we negotiate with insurance companies every day. We understand personal injury, wrongful death, and how insurance companies operate. If you believe you are not being treated right by an insurance company, we can step in and represent you in this process to ensure that you obtain appropriate compensation.

Altizer Law, P.C., also specializes in medical malpractice law. The Martinsville-Henry County Memorial Hospital and the local health care and nursing homes all strive to provide the highest quality of care to their patients. But medical practitioners are humans, and can make a mistake. Unfortunately, mistakes and negligence in the practice of medicine often results in serious injury or even death. If you, or a loved one, are harmed by the negligence or mistake of any care provider, you may have recourse to legal action to seek compensation for your hurts and harms. We hope you never need us. But should you need legal assistance or representation, call our attorneys immediately. We can advise you, help to protect you, and seek justice and appropriate compensation as allowed under Virginia law.

Outdoor Adventure

Numerous outdoor adventures are available in Henry County. For bicyclists, there are a number of trails along the Smith River. The 100-acre Mountain Laurel Trails complex has been named the #1 Mountain Bike Trail in Virginia by SingleTracks.com. There are also road routes for cyclists.

Philpott Lake is a very popular spot for boating and fishing. It is a 3,000 acre reservoir with a marina. The lake is offers Walleye, smallmouth bass, carp and largemouth bass. The lake also provides access to hidden waterfalls, scenic rock formations and three islands. The largest, Deer Island, accessible only by boat, offers camp site rentals. Both Bowen’s Creek Park and Goose Point Park are adjacent to the Philpott Lake.

Beaver Creek Reservoir also offers boating and fishing opportunities. It is 175 acres of water and located near Patrick Henry Community College.

Opportunities abound for hikers. The Smith River Trail System is a network of local trails that is also part of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Beaches to Bluegrass Trail, which extends from the Eastern Shore to Kentucky. In addition to hiking opportunities, these trails are ideal for bicycling and geocaching.

Henry County offers more than 10,000 acres of public lands that are open to nature and recreation enthusiasts. The public lands offer wonderful opportunities for horseback riding, geocaching, biking, hiking, and hunting.

Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities for hikers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area and to enjoy part of the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail Network. Visitors also enjoy spotting and watching the deer in the forest.

Points of Interest

Henry County is rich in points of interest for both local residents and visitors.

Fairy Stone State Park offers cabins and campsites, a number of trails, picnic shelters, and a 168 acre lake that adjoins Philpott Lake. As the name suggests, the park is the site of the famous fairy stones. The park also offers two playgrounds, one on land and the other in the water.

Other points of interest include:

• Smith Mountain Lake
• Smith River (trout fishing)
• Smith River Sports Complex
• Virginia Museum of Natural History
• Piedmont Arts Association
• Blue Ridge Institute and Museum
• Reynolds Homestead
• Civil War Battle of the Henry Courthouse
• Martinsville Speedway

Call Altizer Law, P.C.

If you, or a loved one, are injured through no fault of your own while enjoying the opportunities available in Henry County, we have the experience and the expertise to help you find your way to recovery, obtain justice, and, if appropriate, to take legal action on your behalf to obtain an appropriate financial settlement for your hurts and harms.

If an injury results from the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or facility, you have rights to seek justice and full compensation as defined by Virginia Law. Bettina Altizer has more than 25 years of experience in personal injury and medical malpractice law. We treat our clients and their loved ones with compassion, and we pursue just compensation aggressively and persistently to win the largest allowable financial settlement possible under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.