Eagle Rock, Virginia

Eagle Rock is a census-designated place (CDP) in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located along the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 209.[3]

Eagle Rock, Virginia
CDP
Eagle Rock Depot
Eagle Rock Depot
Eagle Rock, Virginia is located in Virginia
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Location of Eagle Rock in Virginia
Eagle Rock, Virginia is located in the United States
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Eagle Rock, Virginia (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°38′26″N 79°48′04″W
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyBotetourt
Area
 • Total0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2)
 • Land0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
971 ft (296 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total209
 • Density290/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24085
Area code540
FIPS code51-51023
GNIS feature ID1494212[1]
Other namesBreckenridge, Eagle Mountain, Eaglerock,
Rat Hole
Sheets[1]
[2]

History

Eagle Rock had the last lock of the James River and Kanawha Canal.[4]

Lime production
19th century limestone kiln in Eagle Rock, Virginia.

This was the location of the kilns for making lime. Limestone was transported across the James River via a tram system and then burned in the kilns to make lime. Originally a river ford, known as "The Free Stone Ford", allowed mule drawn wagons to cross. In May 1884 a bridge was constructed across the river for the limestone.[5] Later, large towers were constructed and the lime sent across the river by cable. Old quarries and locally known Quarry Hill are located on either side of US 220. The Bessemer Archaeological Site, Phoenix Bridge, and Roaring Run Furnace are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Rail history

At the end of the James River and Kanawha Canal system, transportation was done by rail. Eagle Rock was the point of convergence of the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad (soon to be known as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and later CSX Transportation) and the Craig Valley Line, which ran to Surber Station and on to New Castle, Virginia.

Geography

Eagle Rock is located at 37°38′26″N 79°48′04″W (37.6422510, −079.7918942).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.71 square miles.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020209—
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

As of the census of 2020, there were 209 people residing in the CDP. The population density was 290 people per square mile (110 people/km2). There were 102 housing units. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.7% White, 0% Black or African American, 0% Native American, 0% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0% from other races, and 6.3% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Education

The CDP is served by Botetourt County Public Schools. Eagle Rock had its own high school until the late 1950s, when the Northern Botetourt high schools were all consolidated into the newly formed James River High School in neighboring Springwood. Public school students residing in Eagle Rock attend Eagle Rock Elementary School, Central Academy Middle School, and James River High School.

Notable people

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Eagle Rock, Virginia. Retrieved on 2008-06-19.
  2. "ZIP Code Lookup". Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  3. "Eagle Rock CDP, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. Sutcliffe, Andrea (2010). Touring the Shenandoah Valley backroads (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, N.C.: John F. Blair Publishers. p. 257. ISBN 9780895873934. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  5. Information bulletin, "Yesteryear Lime Kiln Operations at Eagle Rock, Va". Eagle Rock Improvement Association. No date given. Page 2.
  6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  7. United States Congress. "William Hanes Ayres (id: A000229)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.. Retrieved on 2008-06-20.

Bibliography
  • Eagle Rock Funeral Home, Craig-Botetourt Genealogy Club, and Fincastle Library. Eagle Rock Funeral Home. Fincastle, VA: Craig-Botetourt Genealogy Club & Fincastle Library, 2005. Notes: Copies of burial records of Eagle Rock Funeral Home, Eagle Rock, Virginia.
  • Eagle Rock High School (Eagle Rock, Va.). The Eagle. [Virginia]: Eagle Rock High School, 1933.
  • Eagle Rock School, and Eagle Rock Public Library. A History of Eagle Rock: A Special Group Project. Eagle Rock, Virginia: [Eagle Rock School], 1975. Notes: A history of Eagle Rock, Virginia (Botetourt County) written by students and their teacher in the mid-1970s (at the now closed Eagle Rock School). Credits: Kevin Barger, David Dew, Susan Heck, Cheryl Hoy, Johnny Lawson, Charles Nelson, Gary Tingler, Kathy Waddell, Kim West, Stacy Zimmerman, Mrs. Mary Lynne Leffel, teacher. Contents: Location and names – Industries – Stores – Saloons, hotel, theatre – Houses – Schools – Churches – Floods and fires – The Kanawha Canal – Summary.
  • Galatia Presbyterian Church (Eagle Rock, Va.). Church Records. [Virginia?]: Eastern Microfilm, 1967. The church was originally part of Locust Bottom Church which was divided in 1887 into two churches, Galatia and Glen Wilton.
  • McGuire, Odell S. Geology of the Eagle Rock, Strom, Oriskany, and Salisbury Quadrangles, Virginia. Charlottesville: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 1970.
  • Russ, Kurt C., John M. McDaniel, and Jeffrey P. Blomster. Archaeological Investigations of a Nineteenth Century Appalachian Farmstead: The Barger/Riddlebarger Farm in Botetourt County, Virginia. Lexington, Va: Laboratory of Anthropology, Washington and Lee University, 1987. Notes: Project conducted under contract with the Museum of American Frontier Culture, Staunton, Va. Described as "Historic farmstead site" with "Site number 44BO (site number not yet established) (see Architectural Survey Form #11-107" in Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, Archaeological Site Inventory Form on p. [2] of cover.
  • United States. Flood Plain Information: James River, Eagle Rock to Lick Run, Botetourt County, Virginia. Norfolk, Va: Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Norfolk, Virginia, District, 1971.
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