BOTETOURT COUNTY
County Offices
One West Main Street
Fincastle 540-473-8223
www.co.botetourt.va.us
Chamber of Commerce
One West Main Street
Fincastle 540-473-8280
www.bot-co-chamber.com
As diverse as it is panoramic, Botetourt County averages 1,000 feet in elevation, from the valley floors along the rolling James River at 900 feet to the alpine areas like Apple Orchard and Sugarloaf that reach 4,000 feet high. The county boasts a unique heritage, formed in 1770 and named for a governor of Virginia. At one point after the Revolutionary War, the county’s jurisdiction was so expansive that it reached the Mississippi River and encompassed parts of modern West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and even Illinois. Because the county was once so large, genealogists from across the nation converge here to research family histories. Fascinating historical markers dot the region, including one that notes the place where Lewis and Clark set out to explore the Louisiana Purchase at Thomas Jefferson’s request.
Proud residents of Botetourt County have preserved the past in wonderful places like Historic Fincastle, where antebellum churches, ancient trees, restored homes, and a courthouse designed by Thomas Jefferson create a quaint village atmosphere. Each year, Fincastle holds a popular festival to raise funds that allow the small community to maintain its fine preservation work. Harmonizing with yesterday’s treasures, the county is also home to some of Roanoke Valley’s most handsome new residential development. Residents enjoy the pleasures of country living, including lush orchards and fabulous views, just outside the city.
Services
Residents of Botetourt County are dedicated to high ideals in education, evidenced by the quality of local schools. Special programs serve both the challenged and gifted students, and extracurricular activities develop talent as well as leadership. Public and private colleges and universities are available close to home, from those in the Roanoke Valley to a selection of institutions dotting Central Virginia. The Roanoke Valley offers ECPI Technical College, Virginia Western Community College, Hollins University, Roanoke College, The Jefferson College of Health Sciences, and the Roanoke Higher Education Center. The latter represents a consortium of 16 member organizations—most of which are universities— that provide nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs through 16 partner organizations. Students, commuters, visitors, businesses, and residents alike enjoy efficient transportation facilities throughout Botetourt County. The county’s major highways provide links to Interstates 81, 77, and 64—which, in turn, offer connections to the nation’s most important markets. Roanoke Regional Airport with major commercial air service is just minutes away.
Leading-edge healthcare service is assured by the presence of Roanoke Valley’s major institutions, Carilion and Lewis-Gale. The Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital campus is also home to the Carilion Medical Center for Children and many Centers of Excellence including a Level 1 Trauma Center and premier transport services. Distinguished as a major teaching affiliate for the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the hospital also provides patients with easy access to nearby specialty clinics, family medical centers, and a host of personalized treatment options. The state-of-the-art, 521-bed tertiary hospital in Salem, the Lewis-Gale Medical Center, provides a regional healthcare hub for advanced medical and surgical specialties. Salem is also home to a major Veteran’s Administration medical center. Long-term care facilities, home care, skilled nursing, emergency centers, and family practice clinics are available to meet every need close to home. Serving a regional population of 300,000, the medical community is committed to maintain a network of satellite health clinics and treatment centers as well as a schedule of public service programs.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Botetourt County will discover a friendly and cooperative community where civic leaders and residents work together for mutual goals. Protecting the environment as well as historic treasures is constantly balanced with economic and residential development. While Historic Fincastle has concentrated on restoring and preserving its living museum of architectural wonders, modern strip malls and beautiful shopping areas have sprung up to serve a growing number of subdivisions and residential communities. Serving as the southern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley, Botetourt County nestled between the panoramic Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. Blue skies and clean air hover over a patchwork of farm fields, orchards, and charming villages and small towns.
Highland Manor, SteepleChase, and Appletree Village are all examples of rapidly growing communities that enjoy a convenient location near Interstate 81 and US Highway 460. Spacious lots, gracious homes with classic architecture, and superb views can all be found in Botetourt County, where growth is fueled by the abundance of available land. The interest and vitality stirred by new schools, beautiful industrial parks, lush golf courses, and acres of rolling terrain are encouraging further expansion in all directions.
Amenities like a golf course anchor developments like Ashley Plantation, which also offers swimming and tennis as well as homes that vary in size and price range. The close proximity of employment centers and business parks adds to the attraction in many corners of the county. Those who enjoy outdoor recreation will find a myriad of opportunities for exercise and relaxation, including teams for all ages in a variety of sports organized by the county recreation department.
On the weekends, the Blue Ridge Mountains invite residents to pack a lunch and explore the wide selection of hiking, walking, and mountain bike trails. The Jefferson and George Washington National Forests preserve more than 70,000 acres in three ranger districts in Botetourt County, adding first-rate hunting, fishing, picnicking, horseback-riding, and camping activities to the list of possibilities. From mountain magic to exclusive country manors and vintage architecture, Botetourt County is a region rich beyond measure.
