Independence, Virginia

Independence, Virginia
July 4th celebrations at the Grayson County Courthouse, 2006
July 4th celebrations at the Grayson County Courthouse, 2006
Location of Independence, Virginia
Location of Independence, Virginia
Coordinates: 36°37′22″N 81°9′6″W / 36.62278°N 81.15167°W / 36.62278; -81.15167
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyGrayson
Area
 • Total2.35 sq mi (6.08 km2)
 • Land2.34 sq mi (6.07 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
2,680 ft (820 m)
Population
 • Total1,001 Increase
 • Estimate 
(2021)[2]
1,002
 • Density380.71/sq mi (147.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24348
Area code276
FIPS code51-39528[3]
GNIS feature ID1498495[4]
Websitewww.independenceva.com

Independence is a town located in and the county seat of Grayson County, Virginia. [5] At the 2020 U.S. census, it had a population of 1,001.[2] It is situated on Virginia's Crooked Road, a heritage trail celebrating the musical heritage of Southwest Virginia.

The town and county are noted for the original red brick 1908 Courthouse at the corner of Main Street (Virginia Route 58) and Independence Avenue (US 21), site of the annual July 4th Celebration and autumn Mountain Foliage Festival.[6]

In 2021, the town created its first public park in its 115 year history, Town Park, on vacant property opposite the original Courthouse.[7]

Town park is home to the Independence Farmers Market, which opens weekly from May–October and online year round. The market uses a timber-frame, white oak,[8] pavilion completed in 2021 in collaboration with the Timber Framers Guild.[8] Remaining work includes bathrooms, utilities and sitework[9] — as well as a stage. The stage hosts Farmers Market as well as Crooked Road events and is named the Uncle Wade Old Time Stage, after noted musician and Independence native, Wade Ward.[7]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ Fussell, pgs. 76 - 77
  7. ^ a b "Great news!". IndependenceFarmersMarket.org. July 29, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "WOW! The Frame is up!". IndependenceFarmersMarket.org. November 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "We have a roof but we can't move to Town Park yet!". IndependenceFarmersMarket.org. May 10, 2022.