Martinsville, Virginia

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Martinsville, Virginia
Independent city
Martinsville's uptown district.
Martinsville's uptown district.
Official seal of Martinsville, Virginia
Seal
Nickname(s): 
A city without limits
Martinsville-Location.svg
Coordinates: 36°41′10″N 79°52′9″W / 36.68611°N 79.86917°W / 36.68611; -79.86917
Country United States
State Virginia
CountyNone (Independent city)
Named forJoseph Martin
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • MayorGene Teague
Area
 • Total28 km2 (11.0 sq mi)
 • Land28 km2 (11.0 sq mi)
 • Water0.3 km2 (0.1 sq mi)
Elevation
310 m (1,017 ft)
Population
(2010)
 • Total13,821
 • Density485/km2 (1,256/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
24112-24115
Area code(s)276
FIPS code51-49784[1]
GNIS feature ID1498514[2]
Websitehttp://www.martinsville-va.gov

Martinsville is an independent city near the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,821.[3] It is the county seat of Henry County,[4] although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes.

Martinsville is the principal city of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area, with a population of 73,346 as of the 2000 census.

The paper clip-shaped Martinsville Speedway, the shortest track in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series at 0.526 miles (847 m) and one of the first paved "speedways," is located just outside the city near the town of Ridgeway.

History[edit]

Martinsville was founded by American Revolutionary War General, Indian agent and explorer Joseph Martin, born in Albemarle County.[5] He developed his plantation Scuffle Hill on the banks of the Smith River near the present-day southern city limits. General Martin and revolutionary patriot Patrick Henry, who lived briefly in Henry County and for whom the county is named, were good friends.

The city's chief industry for many early years was the manufacture of plug chewing tobacco. The Henry County area became known as the "plug tobacco capital of the world." In the wake of the collapse of the plantation economy following the American Civil War, the local economy was reeling. Stepping into the breach were several thriving plug firms which sold their merchandise across the nation beginning in the nineteenth century.

Local families were heavily involved in these companies, bestowing their names on them and reaping sizeable profits until the early twentieth century, when the tobacco monopolies created by R.J. Reynolds and James Buchanan Duke bought out most firms. (In most cases, in bold anti-competitive moves, the two tobacco titans simply shut down their acquisitions overnight.[6] These actions resulted in a U.S. government lawsuit against American Tobacco Company.[7]) Among the earliest of these firms were D.H. Spencer & Sons and Spencer Bros. Other families soon joined in founding other early firms, including the Gravelys, the Comptons, the Ruckers, the Wittens, the Lesters and the Browns.

The city's main industry for a century was furniture construction, and today Virginia furniture makers still reside in the region. Martinsville declared itself an independent city in 1928, while retaining its status as county seat. (In the 21st century however, it is a county seat in name only, as all of Henry County's administrative and judicial functions are carried out from the administration building and courthouse in nearby Collinsville.)

DuPont in 1941 built a large manufacturing plant for producing textile nylon filament, a vital war material. During the Cold War, the city was identified as a target for strategic bombing by the Soviet Union. This nylon production jump-started the growth of the textiles industry in the area. For several years Martinsville was known as the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World."

Business leaders in the mid-20th century, like Whitney Shumate, worked to improve sub-standard housing in Martinsville. He helped clear out a portion of Martinsville called "Mill Town", which had sub-standard rental housing originally provided in the 19th century for the defunct cotton mill employees. New homes were constructed in the neighborhood, built with sound materials and with all city services for the first time. What had originally been considered a depressed civic area rapidly became a center of progress as middle class blacks finally began to prosper. As an editorial in the local newspaper noted, "One of the projects which won him considerable attention and praise was the instigation of the redevelopment of what was once known as Martinsville Cotton Mill Village. He and associates purchased about 50 houses in North Martinsville, and using private capital rather than federal aid, rebuilt them into comfortably inhabitable homes, making it possible for many persons to purchase homes within their financial range."[8]

In the early 1990s, changing global economic conditions and new trade treaties made Martinsville textiles and furniture manufacturing economically unsustainable. Many firms closed shop and laid off thousands of workers; the production moved offshore to other countries.[9] The city is repositioning itself long-term as a center for technology development and manufacturing. Due to the local government's inability to fund certain services, in the near future the city of Martinsville may decide to legally convert into the town of Martinsville.

MZM, Inc. opened a facility in Martinsville as part of the Cunningham scandal.

Memorial Hospital of Martinsville (now combined with the hospital in Danville, Virginia to become Sovah Health.) serves the greater Martinsville and Henry County area. The earliest local hospital was the 50-bed Shackelford Hospital,[10] founded by Dr. Jesse Martin Shackelford,[11] who was later joined by surgeon son Dr. John Armstrong Shackelford, an early graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.[12] Founder of the Hospital Association of Virginia, Dr. Jesse Shackelford was an early advocate of comprehensive care for state citizens. Shackelford Hospital was sold in 1946, and Martinsville General Hospital subsequently opened with Dr. John Shackelford as its first chief surgeon.[13] In 1970 Memorial Hospital of Martinsville opened its doors, replacing Martinsville General.

The Beaver Creek Plantation, John Waddey Carter House, Dry Bridge School, East Church Street-Starling Avenue Historic District, Fayette Street Historic District, Little Post Office, Martinsville Fish Dam, Martinsville Historic District, Martinsville Novelty Corporation Factory, and Scuffle Hill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[14]

Liberty Fair Mall opened in 1989.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.5 km2), of which 11.0 square miles (28.5 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[15] The north side of the city has the highest average elevation. The east side slopes gradually down to the Smith River on the south side. The west side is hilly. Martinsville is located on the southern border of Southern Virginia.

Martinsville is 29 miles (46 Km) from Danville via VA-57, 57 miles (91 Km) from Roanoke and 54 miles (86 Km) from Greensboro, North Carolina via U.S. Route 220.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880289—
19002,384—
19103,36841.3%
19204,07521.0%
19307,70589.1%
194010,08030.8%
195017,25171.1%
196018,7989.0%
197019,6534.5%
198018,149−7.7%
199016,162−10.9%
200015,416−4.6%
201013,821−10.3%
Est. 201613,445[16]−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2012[3]

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 15,416 people, 6,498 households, and 4,022 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,407.1 people per square mile (543.1/km²). There were 7,249 housing units at an average density of 661.7 per square mile (255.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.38% White, 42.55% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.32% of the population.

There were 6,498 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,441, and the median income for a family was $35,321. Males had a median income of $28,530 versus $21,367 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,251. About 14.0% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over. As of August 2010, the city's unemployment rate stood at 20 percent.[22]

Government[edit]

The City of Martinsville operates under a Council-manager government. The city council is often composed into five members serving a full four-year terms as large representatives of the city residents. The city manager controls the daily operations and manage the city's activities.

Education[edit]

The city is served by the Martinsville City Public Schools.

  • Martinsville High School: 351 Commonwealth Blvd, opened in 1968; the school serves nearly 580 students in grades 9-12
    • Martinsville Middle School: 201 Brown Street, opened in 1939, serves 430 students in grades 6-8
    • Albert Harris Elementary School: 710 Smith Road, opened in 1958, serves 490 students in grades K-5, named after Albert Harris; a minister and educator who played a key role for pushing and creating schools for African Americans
    • Clearview Early Childhood Center: 800 Ainsley Street, opened in 1954, currently serves 140 students
    • Patrick Henry Elementary School: 1810 Church Street Ext., Established & opened in 1950; Named after founding father Patrick Henry, currently serves 435 students thru kindergarten to 5th grade


The city is also home to the K-12 private school, Carlisle School, located at 300 Carlisle Road in Martinsville. The school serves approximately 400 students, about 130 of them are high school students. The School was established in 1968[23]


Colleges and universities in Martinsville include Patrick Henry Community College and New College Institute.

Arts and Culture[edit]


Sports[edit]

Martinsville is home to the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Mustangs play at Hooker Field in Martinsville. The Mustangs began play for the league's 2005 season.

Martinsville is also home to Martinsville Speedway, which opened in 1947. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hosts two races there every year.

Notable people[edit]

Media[edit]

Print[edit]

Television[edit]

  • WDBJ, CBS affiliate based in Roanoke
  • WSLS, NBC affiliate based in Roanoke
  • WSET, ABC affiliate based in Lynchburg
  • WFXR, Fox affiliate based in Roanoke
  • WWCW, Fox affiliate based in Lynchburg
  • WZBJ, an Independent station, based in Roanoke, licensed in Danville
  • WPXR, ION affiliate based in Roanoke

Radio stations[edit]

  • WHEE 1370, broadcast station based in Martinsville
  • WMVA 1450, Talk news radio station based in Martinsville
  • WROV-FM 96.3, commercial FM radio station based in Martinsville

Gallery[edit]

  • Home of Henry Clay Lester, early tobacco manufacturer, Main Street, Martinsville. Home burned in the early 1940s

  • Henry County Courthouse Square, Martinsville, circa 1890.

  • Staff of Draper's Barber Shop, Franklin Street, Martinsville, 1920. White bowls on floor are spittoons

  • Pannill Knitting Company, early Martinsville textile concern founded in 1926

  • Oak Hall, home of Col. Pannill Rucker, early Martinsville tobacco manufacturer. Oak Hall burned February 19, 1917

  • Class of 1912, Martinsville High School

  • Shackelford Hospital, founded by Dr. Jesse Martin Shackelford, predecessor of Martinsville Memorial Hospital

Politics[edit]

Presidential Elections Results[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 36.4% 2,149 59.8% 3,533 3.8% 225
2012 36.8% 2,312 61.4% 3,855 1.9% 117
2008 35.4% 2,311 63.5% 4,139 1.1% 70
2004 45.3% 2,538 54.2% 3,036 0.5% 29
2000 45.0% 2,560 53.5% 3,048 1.5% 86
1996 41.9% 2,446 50.3% 2,941 7.8% 455
1992 40.7% 2,690 46.4% 3,073 12.9% 854
1988 53.6% 3,360 44.6% 2,794 1.8% 110
1984 58.4% 4,234 40.6% 2,942 1.1% 78
1980 48.8% 3,433 47.5% 3,337 3.7% 262
1976 45.4% 3,147 50.3% 3,491 4.3% 297
1972 61.3% 3,879 36.2% 2,292 2.5% 155
1968 36.0% 2,618 37.5% 2,727 26.5% 1,931
1964 37.4% 1,805 61.0% 2,943 1.6% 76
1960 49.2% 1,729 48.3% 1,699 2.5% 89
1956 59.7% 2,125 38.4% 1,368 1.9% 68
1952 55.8% 1,772 43.8% 1,391 0.4% 11
1948 31.2% 642 39.5% 814 29.4% 605
1944 29.5% 458 70.4% 1,093 0.1% 2
1940 21.5% 269 78.2% 980 0.4% 5
1936 21.1% 255 78.6% 949 0.3% 4
1932 22.1% 212 77.1% 739 0.7% 7

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ^ '' Virginia: A Guide to the Old Dominion''(Sixth Printing, 1956). Virginia Writers' Project, Work Projects Administration. p. 611. New York: Oxford University Press. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  6. ^ The Tobacco Worker, Tobacco Workers International Union, 1907. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  7. ^ Federal Anti-trust Decisions, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1917. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  8. ^ Martinsville Bulletin. March 3, 1966. "City Loses Citizen who Helped Make it a Better Community."
  9. ^ "Threadbare: The Unravelling of Henry County" Archived September 11, 2012, at Archive.today, The Roanoke Times, 17 August 2002. (August 17, 2002). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  10. ^ The Doctors Shackelford and the Shackelford Hospital, Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society Archived March 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 8, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  11. ^ Jesse Martin Shackelford, M.D., Martinsville Henry County Historical Society Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 6, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  12. ^ John Armstrong Shackelford, M.D., Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 6, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  13. ^ The History of Memorial Hospital Archived August 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.. Martinsvillehospital.org. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.
  14. ^ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  16. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  21. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  22. ^ "To Help or Not to Help". The Economist. August 26, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  23. ^ "About Carlisle School". www.carlisleschool.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  24. ^ "Ceiling high for 7 foot 1 NBA draft prospect Thon Maker". www.roanoke.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  25. ^ "Lou Whitaker - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
  26. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 36°41′10″N 79°52′09″W / 36.686143°N 79.869171°W / 36.686143; -79.869171

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