Locations in the Book
Lower Bluffwalk
Walkway between Jefferson & Commerce Streets with entrances at 9th Street and 12th Street
Lower Bluffwalk opened in Downtown Lynchburg in 2015 and is a series of pedestrian walkways, stairways and overlooks connecting Commerce and Jefferson Streets providing views of the James River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The “Water Bearer” is a recasting of a statue which was placed at the former Clay Street Reservoir in 1883.
Old Court House/Lynchburg Museum
901 Court Street, Lynchburg,VA 24504
Built in 1855, the Old Court House is one of the most visible and best known landmarks in Lynchburg. It is nowthe home of the Lynchburg MUseum with exhibits focusing on the people and events that shaped the city and region.
Monument Terrace
9th and Church Streets, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The massive stairway, Monument Terrace, is an iconic image of the Hill City linking Courthouse Hill and the Downtown business district. Along the steps are monuments honoring Lynchburg Citizens who fought and died in the Civil War, Spanish American War, World Wars I & II, Korea and Vietnam. The most visible is the “Dough Boy” or “listening Post” statue at the base.
Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children’s Museum
27 Ninth Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Amazement Square, “The Rightmire Children’s Museum” provides four floors of hand om, multidisciplinary learning experiences for children and fun for the entire family. Exhibits explore the arts and humanities, culture, science and technology. It’s located in the historic J.W. Wood building a former Civil War era commercial building.
The Langley Fountain
James River at the end of 9th Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Attached to a stone pier that once supported a 19th century bridge over the James River, the Langley Fountain sends a column of water 190 feet high, the highest such fountain east of the Mississippi. The best view of the fountain and the Lynchburg skyline is from Riveredge Park just across the James River at 150 Rocky Hill Road, Madison Heights, VA 24572.
Lynchburg Police Department
905 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24505
One of the first acts of the Council following Lynchburg’s incorporation as a town in 1805 was to establish a safety watch. Additional action during the 1800’s grew this Night Watch, resulting in an ordinance in 1866 establishing a “Police Force for the City of Lynchburg”. The monument above honors the Departments 200th anniversary in 2005.
The Firefighter’s Memorial Fountain
Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501
The Firefighter’s Memorial Fountain in Miller Park honors 25 firefighters from the Lynchburg area who have died in the line of duty since 1883. The current fountain is a replica of the original from the early 1900’s which was destroyed by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Just a short walk from the fountain is Fire Station 6 (located at 2084 Fort Avenue) the oldest active station in the Department and the only station that still utilizes a sliding pole.
Point of Honor
112 Cabell Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Built in 1815, by prominent Lynchburg physician, Dr. George Cabell, Sr., Point of Honor is a beautiful and sophisticated Federal style mansion. The house stands on land that was once the wilderness inhabited by Monacan Indians and gained its name from legends of duals fought on the property as gentlemen defended their honor.
Miller-Claytor House & Garden
2200 Miller Claytor Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24501
The Miller-Claytor House was built in 1791 on the corner of 8th and Church Streets. Lynchburg’s only remaining 18th century town house, it was relocated to its current location in Riverside Park in 1936. According to legend, Thomas Jefferson ate a tomato (called a “love apple” at the time) from its garden to prove to a child it was not poisonous.
Academy Center of the Arts
600 Main Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The historic Academy of Music Theatre first opened in 1905 and grew to become one of the most outstanding theatres in Central Virginia. It was regular stop for rad productions and presented some of the top performers of the time. Significantly damages by a fire in 1911, it was reopened the next year more beautiful with a full range of classical decorations resembling the great European theatres. The theatre closed in 1958 and fell into serious disrepair before being completely restored and opening in 2018 as a venue of the Academy Center of the Arts.
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
621 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Fireworks light up the sky over a performance of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra in Riverfront Park. For over 35 years the symphony, one of several performing arts organizations in the City, has presented classical music, pops, musicals, movie scores and contemporary to the community.
The Aviary
Miller Park, 400 Grove Street, Lynchburg, VA 24501
Built in 1902, The Aviary is a multi-sided Queen Anne-style structure that was at one time part of Miller Park Zoo. The small zoo once housed monkeys, alligators, cockatoos, parrots and canaries.
Lynchburg Community Market
1219 Main Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Operating since 1783 in downtown, the Lynchurg Community Market is one of the nation’s oldest. It is currently located at the corner of 12th & Main Streets and in the historic City Armory building.
South River Meeting House
5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502
The Society of Friends, or Quakers, was the first religious group to settle in Lynchburg. The South River Meeting House was a log building built in 1757 on land given by the Lynch family. The current stone structure was built later and has been restored to its 18th century appearance. It is located on the property of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church and in 1975 the Meeting House and its adjacent cemetery were named Virginia Historic Landmarks and placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Legacy Museum of African-American History
403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The Legacy Museum of African-American History offers exhibits and programs focused on topics central to African-American history and culture. It is located in a renovated Victorian house and covers activities from the arrival of Africans in Central Virginia until the present day.
Historic Sandusky & Civil War Center
757 Sandusky Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
In 1864, Sandusky served as headquarters of Union General David Hunter during the Civil War Battle of Lynchburg. Future Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley served on Hunter’s staff and were quartered there.
James River & Kanawha Canal – 9th Street Stone Arch
9th Street between Jefferson Street & the James River, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Construction of the James River and Kanawha Canal started in the late 1700’s for the purpose of moving passengers and freight from the western counties of Virginia to the coast. The canal was only partially completed when the advent of the railroad provided a more productive mode of transportation. You can see a restored canal lock from the 1840’s at the James River Visitor center (Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 63.8). In Lynchburg, the canal ran under a Stone Arch that supports part of 9th Street. The stone work was completed in 1839. today the canal in this area has been largely filled in.
Transportation Exhibit – C&O Locomotive
Riverside Park, 2238 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Opened in 1922, Riverside Park is the City’s second oldest. This forty-seven acre park overlooking the James River is home to a 1940’s Chesapeake & Ohio locomotive and coal tender and a Virginia Railway caboose. The rusted hull of the 1860’s packet boat Marshall is located in the park as well.
Station House Museum
The Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The Station House Museum located in the Old City Cemetery was a Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Station which was used at Stapleton in Amherst County. It was in use from 1898 to 1937 and is the only remaining “Standard Station” of its size and style.
Pest House Medical Museum
The Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg, Va 24504
The Pest House Museum located in the Old City Cemetery provides a picture of medical conditions in the late 1800’s. During this period individuals who contracted contagious diseases such as smallpox or measles were quarantined. The restored 1840’s white frame building was the medical office of Dr. John Jay Terrell. It was moved to this location in 1987 form Campbell County.
Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
1313 Pierce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The Anne Spencer House & Garden is the home of internationally acclaimed Harlem Renaissance poet and Civil Rights leader, Anne Spencer. With her husband she entertained many twentieth-century African-American leaders, such as George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her famous writing cottage is surrounded by beautifully restored gardens.
E. C. Glass High School
2111 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501
E. C. Glass High School opened at its current site on Memorial Avenue in 1953. The school traces its history back to 1871 when the City had just two school rooms, one each for boys and girls. New high school buildings were constructed in 1881 and 1911 as the growing city required larger facilities. It is named in honor of Edward Christian Glass, Superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools from 1879 to 1931.
University of Lynchurg – Hopwood Hall
1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501
The University if Lynchburg started as Virginia Christian College in 1903, the first college to offer coeducational facilities in Central Virginia. Built in 1909 with Beaux Arts, styling, Hopwood Hall is the oldest building on the campus and is named for the university’s founders Josephus Hopwood and Sarah Eleanor LaRue Hopwood. The building has recently been listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
James River & The Blue Ridge Mountains
1600 Concord Turnpike, Lynchburg, VA 24504
The James River Heritage trail system, Percival’s Island Natural Area and the Blue Ridge Mountains provide the perfect setting for hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife watching and other outdoor recreational activities. Just a short drive from Lynchburg, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most picturesque drives of the National Park System.
The “Hill City”
Lynchburg Visitor Center, 216 12th Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
One of the most prominent nicknames of Lynchburg is the “Hill City”. The original seven hills are College Hill, Garland Hill, Federal Hill, Danial’s Hill, Diamond Hill, White Rock Hill, and Franklin Hill. For more information about attractions and activities in Lynchburg and the surrounding areas visit the Lynchburg Visitor Center where you will find information on locations and travel counselors who can assist you with your plans.