Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Danville tobacco warehouse, Patrick County school included on 2025 ‘most endangered’ list
Preservation Virginia’s annual list of the state’s most endangered historic sites includes buildings in Danville, Patrick County, Mecklenburg County and South Boston.
The sites on the list all face “imminent or sustained threats,” the nonprofit said in a news release announcing the list.
The list has brought attention to 200 sites in Virginia over the years; only 10% of the sites listed so far have been lost to demolition or neglect, the release said.
“Raising awareness is a first step, but it is critical that we work together to preserve these locations before they’re gone,” said Will Glasco, Preservation Virginia’s CEO. “These places still have value and purpose as affordable housing, community centers or by sharing the story of Virginia during the 250th anniversary of the United States. Let’s not waste this opportunity.”
This year’s list, with descriptions from Preservation Virginia:
- Davis Tobacco Warehouse, Danville: Built in 1886, the warehouse has a distinctive roofline that frames the skyline of the National Historic Tobacco Warehouse District. In 1858, Thomas Neal inaugurated the “Danville System” of open warehouse tobacco auctions, which allowed buyers to inspect and bid on each pile of tobacco. This new system helped make Danville a major tobacco marketing center, with warehouses such as this clustered around the river. In May 2024, the Danville City Council voted to reverse the River District Design Commission’s denial of a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the warehouse for the sale of its materials and new construction on the site. The future of the building remains uncertain.
- Indian Knob School, Patrick County: This early African American schoolhouse was repurposed over the years by descendants and neighbors as a community meeting and celebration space. Local blues and gospel musicians played here at events. New owners have launched a preservation effort that involves the Patrick County Historical Society and others in the community. Organizers will raise funds to stabilize the foundation and then move on to completely restore the building for community use once more.
- Ascension Church, Mecklenburg County: This 1879 church was the first major contribution of James Solomon Russell, who would go on to form the Saint Paul Normal and Industrial School (Saint Paul’s College) and become a saint of the Episcopal Church. The building is in need of serious renovations to continue its story. Local historical societies and residents need to raise funds to stabilize the foundation, repair the collapsed roof and redirect floodwaters. Installing new interpretive signage would also help honor the legacy of this church and the local community.
- Century Cotton Mill Tower, South Boston: The cotton mill opened in 1897 and went on to become one of the leading employers in Halifax County for the next century. It closed in 2002, and the major portion of the factory was demolished later that decade. Only the iconic tower entrance remains. The landmark’s current condition must be evaluated, stabilized and improved with signage so that visitors know the importance of what remains.
- Historic sites impacted by data centers, statewide: Virginia’s data center boom continues to encroach upon historic landscapes, particularly in Northern and Central Virginia. It is common for these efforts to bypass even federal preservation protections to construct transmission lines or facilities. This growth has led to increased energy demands, prompting major concerns for untouched rural regions of the state. Specifically, battlefield sites such as Wilderness Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park, both national parks, are under sustained pressure from data center development proposals.
- Granite Schoolhouse, Richmond: Granite is an active community descended from enslaved and emancipated granite miners responsible for the early granite infrastructure and streetscapes built in Richmond, Washington, D.C., and New York City. This original schoolhouse annex is the last remaining historical building and was used for weddings, dances and community gatherings. The Granite CommUNITY Foundation is raising money to acquire the structure from the city and repurpose it for community events and programming.
- Kingsmill, James City County: Kingsmill Plantation, just downriver from Jamestown, is a gateway to life in early Colonial America. It was built by British Col. Lewis Burwell III in the 1730s; a fire in the mid-1800s took the main plantation house down to its foundation, while its two flanking dependencies — the original kitchen and office — remain. This area of Kingsmill, coupled with the adjoining recreation and green spaces, is at risk of being lost to development with the construction of new homes. Vital to this place is not only preserving and restoring the original outbuildings, but performing additional archaeological surveys to learn more about early America.
- Westham Train Station, Richmond: This former C&O Railway station was built in 1911 on a site in Henrico County and served the western part of Richmond and the University of Richmond, handling both freight and passengers for decades. After passenger service was discontinued, the building was moved to its present site in 1963, where it served as the Richmond Visitors Center and centerpiece of a transportation-themed park. The station fell out of use in 2002, and deterioration of the roof and impending redevelopment of the area threaten the future of the station.
- Harding Street Agricultural Center, Petersburg: Constructed in the mid-century as a local recreation center, the Harding Street Ag Center was most recently owned and operated by Virginia State University to address a major food desert in Petersburg. The operation closed a few years ago, and the city has not determined a plan for it. A new nonprofit, Petersburg is Growing, has the goal of acquiring the building from the city. The project will incorporate new youth outreach and historical interpretation programs.
- Hidden Vale House, Madison County: This building is a large log cabin that’s more than 200 years old. In the mid-1800s, it was owned by the family of former Gov. James Gilmore. This architectural gem is standing strong and is still water-tight but is getting weak and significant repairs are needed. The current owner has restored a smaller cabin on the property, but preserving the large home is beyond his financial and physical means.
- Goochland Recreational Center, Goochland County: The center, established in 1961, was founded by African American community members seeking a safe, welcoming space for fellowship and recreation during a time of segregation. For decades, it served as a hub for unity, culture and community progress. In recent years, the center has faced the threat of deterioration due to aging infrastructure and lack of consistent funding. Community leaders are working together to restore and revitalize the center.
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Youngkin announces state board appointments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced additional state board and commission appointments, including these in Southwest and Southside:
Advisory Board on Athletic Training: Chris Casola of Forest, senior associate athletic director for champion performance, Liberty University.
Board of directors, New College Institute: Eric Jones of Annapolis, Maryland, principal, Booz Allen Hamilton.
Radiation Advisory Board: William Anderson of Forest, nuclear engineer, Framatome Inc.
Virginia Board of Workforce Development: Stephanie Reed of Lynchburg, councilwoman, city of Lynchburg, and CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg.
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Lynchburg veterinary clinic project receives $1 million gift
A campaign to build a new regional veterinary clinic in Lynchburg has received a $1 million donation.
The Lynchburg Humane Society said in a news release that the gift from the Ted Younger Family brings its fundraising total to $4.6 million, $400,000 shy of the $5 million needed to break ground on the clinic. The total goal needed for the project is $7.5 million.
Billie Ray Younger adopted Margot, a chihuahua, from the Lynchburg Humane Society in 2021, the release said.
Groundbreaking on the project is expected this summer.
The clinic, which will offer low-cost care, will be located next to the Center for Pets animal shelter at 1211 Old Graves Mill Road. It will also house the spay/neuter clinic operations that are currently located in Evington.