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Index

• Discover the Roanoke Valley
• Roanoke
• Roanoke County
• Salem
• Botetourt County
• Franklin County
• Bedford County
• Bedford
• Craig County
• Arts groups
• Civic organizations
• Clubs
• Higher education
• Health car facilities
• Human service agencies
• Government officals
• Museums
• Neighborhood organizations
• Radio
• Transportation
• Shopping

Many people might think of moonshine when they think of Franklin County, but there’s a lot more to the land between the lakes than white lightning. Take a scenic drive through and be sure to stop by some of these free attractions.

Booker T. Washington

On April 5, 1856, one of the most prominent supporters of Black education was born on a small tobacco farm in Hardy. Today, visitors can tour the first home of Booker T. Washington, a biracial slave turned educator and founder of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Trails lead visitors past reconstructions of the original farm buildings and demonstrations of Washington’s life as it was on the farm in the mid-1800s.

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is also host to several events during the year.

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located off U.S. 460 on Virginia 122 in Hardy. 721-2094. www.nps.gov/bowa

Ferrum College

Ferrum College, a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, offers many activities for students and community members. While most performances charge admission, there is much to see on the picturesque campus for free.

The Blue Ridge Institute, located on the college campus, offers visitors an in-depth look at life in Appalachia. Gallery exhibits, which are changed every spring, showcase Blue Ridge culture, traditions, customs, art and music. The current exhibit, “White Liquor, Blue Ridge Style,” gives visitors a moonshiners education, as Franklin County is known for its moonshine history. The exhibit includes photographs, still displays and interviews with former moonshiners and federal agents.

The BRI is also home to the Farm Museum, where visitors can view demonstrations of farm life in 19th-century Appalachia. Admission fees apply.

While you’re on the Ferrum campus, be sure to stop by the Stanley Library, home of the E. Taylor Greer Gallery. The art gallery showcases student, local, regional and international artists year-round. Each gallery exhibit includes a grand opening where visitors can interview the artists. Refreshments are provided.

“White Liquor, Blue Ridge Style” will be on display at the Blue Ridge Institute through March 2008. (540) 365-4416. www.blueridgeinstitute.org

The E. Taylor Greer Gallery is open for viewing during library hours. (540) 365-4426. www.ferrum.edu/artgallery

Ferrum College is located off U.S. 220 on Virginia 40 in Ferrum. (540) 365-2121 or (800) 868-9797. www.ferrum.edu

Parks

Franklin County Recreational Park is designed to have something for everyone. From basketball and volleyball courts to horseshoe pits, tennis courts and playgrounds, the park provides something for every member of the family. While recreation league games are played at the park, visitors are welcome to use the fields and courts when games aren’t in session. Take the whole family and bring a picnic lunch, as picnic shelters are provided. Also, check out SML Community Park, which opened in June.

Waid Park, another family oriented locale, offers baseball and soccer fields, walking and biking trails, playgrounds and picnic shelters. The park also has canoe access to the Pigg River, so bring your canoe along with a rod and reel for fishing.

For youth and those young at heart, there’s the Franklin County Rotary Skate Park. The park opened in March 2006 near the Rocky Mount YMCA. Since its construction, both skateboarders and in-line skaters  have come in droves to try out the quarter pipe, grinding rails, and the 4-foot and 6-foot ramps. If you haven’t joined in the fun yet, grab your wheels and give the park a spin. Don’t forget your helmet; it’s required.

Franklin County Recreational Park is located off U.S. 220 on Virginia 619. (540) 483-9293.

SML Community Park is located at 1480 Parkway Ave. in Moneta. (540) 483-9293

Waid Park is located off U.S. 220 in Rocky Mount; turn onto Virginia 40, turn onto Six Mile Post Road. (540) 483-9293.

Franklin County Rotary Skate Park is located off U.S. 220 BR on Technology Drive in Rocky Mount. (540) 483-9293.

Fast facts

Population: 47,286 (2000 Census)

Area (in square miles): 692

History: The county was formed in 1785 from parts of Bedford County and Henry County. It was named for Benjamin Franklin and was the birthplace for Booker T. Washington, a slave who became one of the main civil rights activitists of his era.

BASICS

Natural gas

Highland Propane Co.: 777-7928

Telephone

Sprint / Centel-Virginia: 483-5108

Cable

Adelphia Cable: (888) 683-1000 (serves Smith Mountain Lake)

Charter Communications: 489-1300 (serves Rocky Mount and some surrounding areas)

GOVERNMENT

Local officials

County Administrator: Richard Huff: 483-3030

Board of Supervisors: 483-3030

Chairman: W. Wayne Angell (Blackwater District)

Vice Chairman: Charles Wagner (Rocky Mount District)

David Hurt (Boone District)

Russell Johnson (Gills Creek District)

Leland Mitchell (Snow Creek District)

Charles Poindexter (Union Hall District)

Hubert Quinn (Blue Ridge District)

County Attorney: James Jefferson: 483-7475

Commonwealth’s Attorney: Clifford Hapgood: 483-3092

Clerk of Circuit Court: Alice Hall: 483-3065

Sheriff: W. Q. Overton Sr.: 483-3000

Commissioner of Revenue: Margaret Torrence: 483-3083

Treasurer: Linda Messenger: 483-3078

Government services

General Information: 483-3030; Rocky Mount only: 483-7660

Aging Services: 483-9238

Animal Control: 483-7440

Building Inspection and Permits: 483-3047

Registrar: 483-3025

Chamber of Commerce: 483-9542

Circuit Court: 483-3075

Family Resources: 483-5088

Finance Department: 483-5243 (Rocky Mount only)

General District Court: 483-3060

Health Department: 484-0292

Juvenile & Domestic Relations: 483-3055

Landfill: 489-1600

Magistrate: 483-3076

Marriage Licenses: 483-3065

Parks and Recreation: 483-9293

Planning and Community Development: 483-3027

Public Safety: 483-3091

Public Works Department: (Rocky Mount only) 483-1320

Schools: 483-5138

Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center: 721-1203

Social Services: 483-9247

Town Manager: 483-7660 (Rocky Mount only)

Va. Cooperative Extension: 483-5161

Wastewater Treatment Plant: (Rocky Mount only) 483-1202

Water Treatment Department: (Rocky Mount only) 483-5747

SERVICES

Retirement, assisted living, nursing facilities

Following is a list of some retirement, assisted living and nursing facilities in Franklin County:

Trinity Mission of Rocky Mount: 300 Hatcher St., Rocky Mount, 483-9261

Franklin Health Care Center: 720 Orchard Ave., Rocky Mount, 489-3467

Recycling

Franklin County has several 24-hour drop-off points for household recyclable items within the county. The landfill is also open for drop off of large recyclables during business hours. 489-1600.

Recyclables accepted at these sites include newspapers, unified beverage cans and all types of plastics. Additionally, the county landfill site located at on U.S. 220 can accept such items as cardboard, motor oil, large appliances, used batteries and tires.

The locations are:

• Scruggs, Virginia 616
• Blackwater River, U.S. 220
• County landfill, U.S. 220
• Burnt Chimney, Virginia 670
• Glade Hill, Virginia 718
• Ferrum, Virginia 40
• Fork Mountain, U.S. 220 and Walmart
• Boones Mill, Virginia 1601
• Franklin County High School, Virginia 40 (paper only)
• Rocky Mount Wal-Mart, Virginia 40 (cans and newspaper only)

Landfill hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday and holidays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

EDUCATION

Public schools

High school

Franklin County High School: 700 Tanyard Road, Rocky Mount, 483-0221. Principal: Debora Decker.

Middle school

Benjamin Franklin Middle School: West Hall: 225 Middle School Road, Rocky Mount; East Hall: 375 Middle School Road, Rocky Mount, 483-5105. Administrator: to be announced.

Elementary schools

Boones Mill Elementary School: 265 Taylors Road, Boones Mill, 334-4000. Principal: Marcie Altice.

Burnt Chimney Elementary School: 80 Burnt Chimney Road, Wirtz, 721-2936. Principal: James Mullens.

Callaway Elementary School: 8451 Callaway Road, Callaway, 483-0364. Principal: Brenda Hopkins.

Dudley Elementary School: 7250 Brooks Mill Road, Wirtz, 721-2621. Principal: to be announced.

Ferrum Elementary School: 660 Ferrum School Road, Ferrum, 365-7194. Principal: to be announced.

Glade Hill Elementary School: 8081 Old Franklin Turnpike, Glade Hill, 576-3010. Principal: Leavina Lee.

Henry Elementary School: 200 Henry School Road, Henry, 483-5676. Principal: Terri Robertson.

Lee M. Waid Elementary School: 540 E. Court St., Rocky Mount, 483-5736. Principal: John Bono.

Rocky Mount Elementary School: 555 School Board Road, Rocky Mount, 483-5040. Principal: Jerome Johnson.

Snow Creek Elementary School: 5393 Snow Creek Road, Penhook, 483-5599. Principal: Bernice Cobbs.

Sontag Elementary School: 3101 Sontag Road, Rocky Mount, 483-5667. Principal: William Robey.

Other

The Leonard A. Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration: 150 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount, 483-5446. Administrator: Kevin Bezy.

School officials

Superintendent: Dr. Charles Lackey: 483-5138

School Board: 483-5138

Chairman: P.D. Hambrick (Union Hall District)

Vice chairman: Evelyn Cundiff (Gills Creek District) 

Stephen E. Brubaker (Blackwater District) 

Carl W. Dudley (Blue Ridge District)

Stephen D. Flora (Rocky Mount District)

William O. Helm Jr. (member at-large)

Marilyn Starkey (Boone District)

G.B. Washburn Jr. (Snow Creek District)

School calendar

AUG. 22: First day of school

SEPT. 3: Schools closed, holiday

OCT. 11: Two-hour early dismissal

OCT. 12: Schools closed

OCT. 29: Schools closed 

NOV. 6: Schools closed

NOV. 21-23: Schools closed, holiday

DEC. 21-JAN. 1: Schools closed, winter break

JAN. 2: Schools reopen 

JAN. 17-18: Schools closed 

JAN. 21: Schools closed

JAN. 22: Start second semester 

FEB. 21: Two-hour early dismissal

MARCH 21: Schools closed

MARCH 24: Schools closed

APRIL 6: Schools closed

APRIL 14-18: Schools closed, spring break

MAY 1: Two-hour early dismissal 

MAY 26: Schools closed

JUNE 11: Last student day; 11/2 -hour early dismissal

JUNE 14: Graduation

Libraries

Public libraries

Franklin County Library: 355 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, 483-3098. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. A bookmobile serves other areas.

College libraries

Ferrum College Library: The Thomas Stanley Library, Ferrum, (540) 365-4426. Open to the public. Books may be checked out by Franklin County residents with a Franklin County Public Library card. Summer hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Academic-year hours: Monday-Wednesday, 7:45 a.m.-midnight; Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m; Sunday, 2-midnight.

RECREATION

Parks and recreation

The following is a partial list of activities offered by the Franklin County Parks and Recreation department. 483-9293.

Youth: Programs include astronomy, Easter egg hunt, art classes, tennis lessons and dance lessons.

Adults: Programs include tennis lessons, astronomical stargazing, 5K runs, Red Cross Training, Pigg River Ramble and Blackwater Float.

Recreation league sports

The following is a list of league sports offered by the Franklin County Parks and Recreation Department. 483-9293.

Basketball and Cheerleading: Youth basketball and cheerleading (boys and girls, ages 5-17).

Football and Cheerleading: Youth football (ages 6-12) and cheerleading (ages 6-13).

Soccer: Coed youth soccer (ages 4-18).

Softball and baseball: Youth baseball (boys, ages 7-19). T-ball (coed, ages 5-6). Youth softball (girls, ages 7-18). Youth softball (coed, ages 8-17). Coed adult softball.

Volleyball: Adult mens and womens sand volleyball.

Wrestling: Youth wrestling (grades K-6).

Swimming pools

Following is a partial list of private swimming pools in Franklin County:

Bernard’s Landing: 775 Ashmeade Road, Moneta, 721-8870

Franklin County Family YMCA: 235 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount, 489-9622

Waterfront Country Club: 275 Anchor Drive, Moneta, 721-2653

Golf courses

Following is a partial list of golf courses around Franklin County:

Waterfront Country Club: Private; 275 Anchor Drive, Moneta, 721-2653

Water’s Edge: Private; 1825 Water’s Edge Drive, Penhook, 576-1333

Westlake Golf and Country Club: Semiprivate; 360 Chestnut Creek Drive, Hardy, 721-4214

Willow Creek: Semiprivate; 10500 Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, 483-0797

Health clubs

Curves: 95 Westlake Road, Hardy, 721-7032

Franklin County Family YMCA: 235 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount, 489-9622

Smith Mountain Lake YMCA: 13205 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, 721-9622

Southlake Health & Fitness: 12104 Old Franklin Turnpike, 576-3800

Tennis courts

Following is a list of some of the tennis courts in Franklin County. The first figure indicates the number of courts at a site; the second is the number of lighted courts.

Franklin County Recreation Park: 6-6

Mary Elizabeth Park: 2-2

Waterfront Country Club: 2-0

Westlake Golf and Country Club: 2-0