Travelers who want to spend some time in the mountains should check out Lexington Virginia. Close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson forests, and the James River, it makes for an ideal destination. Lexington was also home to some important confederate figures during the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee founded Washington and Lee University here, the oldest standing university in the United States. You’ll find plenty to do in Lexington, Virginia!
The Georges Hotel is a boutique inn that features 18 custom-furnished guest rooms and two restaurants. The Georges offers an upscale pub experience with craft beer and creative cocktails. Haywood’s restaurant is located in the historic 1789 Washington Building and is a three-level brick townhouse with five elegant suites. The restaurant serves fine dining dishes such as hand-cut steaks, rack of venison, and seafood.
The city’s historical significance is well documented. In 1749, it was founded as Augusta Academy, which is now Washington and Lee University. The town’s first mayor was George Washington, and its namesake was Robert E. Lee, who served as president of the university between 1865 and 1870. Nearby, the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery contains the graves of Jefferson Davis and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The area is also home to several National Register of Historic Places properties, including the Anderson Hollow Archaeological District, Cedar Hill Church and Cemeteries, Chapel Hill, Clifton, Hamilton Schoolhouse, Lylburn Downing School, and the Stone House. Another famous local is Cyrus McCormick, who was born in Lexington.
Filmmakers have taken advantage of Lexington’s history and culture by filming several movies. A number of popular films have been filmed here, including Mardi Gras (starring Pat Boone), and Summer’sby (starring Richard Gere and Bill Pullman). The city’s archives and digital collections contain tons of information about Lexington’s rich history. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Lexington. The state’s famous Hull’s Drive-In is worth a visit as well.
The demographics of Lexington Virginia show a fairly even distribution of age. The town’s two colleges have largely contributed to the city’s unusual sex distribution. Although women were admitted to VMI in 1997, the city is still overwhelmingly male. The population of the city is also quite young, with only one in five people aged 18 and younger working in a job that requires high school graduates. You’ll also find many seniors, who live alone, or families with a small child.
While visiting Lexington, you can also stop by the Cyrus McCormick Farm. The former home of Cyrus Hall McCormick has attracted the attention of paranormal investigators. Located in Rockbridge County, the farm is still home to several animals, including a flock of sheep and a farm with dozens of cows and goats. Visitors report seeing ghostly shadows on the walls, hearing disembodied voices, and capturing fog in photographs.