Hillsville, Virginia
Encyclopedia : H : HI : HIL : Hillsville, Virginia
| Hillsville, VA
| |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Founded | 1876 |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Carroll |
| Mayor | Randall Gravley |
| http://www.hillsville.com/ | |
Hillsville is a town in Carroll County, Virginia, USA. The population was 2,607 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County[Geographic references#6GR6].
Geography
Hillsville is located at (36.758814, -80.734510)[Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.8 km² (5.7 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 2,607 people, 1,207 households, and 731 families residing in the town. The population density was 176.6/km² (457.6/mi²). There were 1,352 housing units at an average density of 91.6/km² (237.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.39% White, 0.19% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 1.76% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.34% of the population.There are 1,207 households, out of which 23.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,148, and the median income for a family was $36,117. Males had a median income of $26,625 versus $18,194 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,633. About 12.9% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Modern Language Association, there are (in descending order) 2,372 English speakers, 55 Spanish speakers, 9 Chinese speakers, 9 Vietnamese speakers, 5 German speakers, 4 Italian speakers, 3 Portuguese speakers, and 3 Russian speakers. Thus, less than 4% of the town of Hillsville speaks a non-English language at home.
Hillsville Flea Market
The town's primary claim to fame is its Hillsville Flea Market (more properly known as the VFW Flea Market & Gun Show), which has been called the largest American flea market to the east of the Mississippi River. It is held twice a year; in 2004, the Labor Day show attracted 650,000 visitors, and the Memorial Day show attracted 250,000 visitors. Vendors and customers have arrived from as far away as Germany, Africa, and South Korea.In 2004, there was a minor fracas when a booth selling Ku Klux Klan, White Power, and Neonazi memorabilia was within shouting distance of the Democratic Party booth.
Carroll County Courthouse Shooting
Hillsville is the town where the infamous "Carroll County Courthouse Shooting" took place. On March 14, 1912, local businessman Floyd Allen and his relatives exchanged somewhat over 50 shots with lawmen in a crowded courtroom; out of the 200 there that morning, five died and seven were wounded, including Allen. He was in court for rescuing prisoners, and had been ordered to one year in prison. However, he refused to go. In consequence of the gunfight, in which the presiding judge perished, both Floyd and one of his sons received the death penalty.The story made national headlines, and remained there until the sinking of the RMS Titanic took its place.
Despite conflicting accounts, none was ever certain who fired the first shot, as nearly everyone in the courtroom had been carrying a pistol that day. (Floyd believed himself to be the subject of political persecution, being one of the few Democrats in a county that has been to this day Republican.) In 1967, two deponents produced a notarized affidavit swearing that the Deputy Clerk, W. Quesinberry, had, shortly before his death in 1964, confessed to firing the first shot, striking Floyd Allen, after which "all hell broke loose"; however, this account is disputed by local historians.
The courthouse, which still stands and which still has the bulletholes, is now disused except as a historical landmark; it was replaced in the 1990s.
Music
Every Saturday in April through September, the local VFW post sponsors a traditional mountain dance that draws an ample audience of up to 300 people a week Fussell, pg. 86.Current (2004) Government Elected Officials
- Mayor: Randall Gravley
- Vice-Mayor: Orba Alderman
- Councilmen: Greg Yonce, Bill Tate, Ed Terry
Trivia
- In August 1930, the two year old Hillsville High School burned to the ground. Only a few months later, on January 28, 1931, the business district (with the exception of the courthouse) burned to the ground, decimating the town's economy.
- Hillsville is unusual in that it is one of the few planned communities in the United States.
- Late in the American Civil War, it is said that local militia skirmished with Union troops marching to Saltville. The local militia lost.
- Virginia Tech Head Football Coach, Frank Beamer is an alumnus of Hillsville High
Reference
Note
External links
- [Official town website]
- [Alternate official town website]
- [1982 Article about the Courthouse Incident]
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