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Martinsville, Virginia

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Martinsville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,485.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A community of both Southside and Southwest Virginia, it is the county seat of Henry County,<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> 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, which includes the communities and towns of Axton, Bassett, Chatmoss, Collinsville, Fieldale, Horsepasture, Laurel Park, Oak Level, Sandy Level, Stanleytown, Villa Heights, Spencer and Ridgeway. The Martinsville Micropolitan Area has a population of 63,765 as of the 2020 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The paper clip-shaped Martinsville Speedway, the shortest track in the NASCAR Cup Series at Template:Convert and one of the first paved "speedways", is located just outside the city near the town of Ridgeway.

History

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Martinsville was founded by American Revolutionary War General, Native American agent and explorer Joseph Martin, born in Albemarle County.<ref>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.</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

20th century

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1947, the paperclip-shaped oval Martinsville Speedway opened. In use by NASCAR since their inaugural season in 1949, it is still in operation by the racing organization today. The speedway is the shortest oval in NASCAR.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For several years Martinsville was known as the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World", and in the 1980s it boasted of having more millionaires per capita than any city in America.<ref>Derks, Scott. Working Americans, 1880-1999: Sports & recreation, 2000, page 426.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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 for 19th century employees of a now defunct cotton mill. 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 Black residents 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."<ref>Martinsville Bulletin. March 3, 1966. "City Loses Citizen who Helped Make it a Better Community."</ref>

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.<ref>"Threadbare: The Unravelling of Henry County" Template:Webarchive, The Roanoke Times, 17 August 2002. (August 17, 2002). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> The city is repositioning itself long-term as a center for technology development and manufacturing.

MZM, Inc. opened a facility in Martinsville as part of the Cunningham scandal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Memorial Hospital of Martinsville (now combined with the hospital in Danville, Virginia to become Sovah Health.) serves the greater Martinsville and Henry County area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The earliest local hospital was the 50-bed Shackelford Hospital,<ref>Template:Usurped. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 8, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> founded by Dr. Jesse Martin Shackelford,<ref>Template:Usurped. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 6, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> who was later joined by surgeon son Dr. John Armstrong Shackelford, an early graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.<ref>Template:Usurped. Mhchistoricalsociety.com (October 6, 2009). Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> 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.<ref>The History of Memorial Hospital Template:Webarchive. Martinsvillehospital.org. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> In 1970 Memorial Hospital of Martinsville opened its doors, replacing Martinsville General.

21st century

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In 2008, then Illinois Democratic Senator and 44th President of the United States Barack Obama held a campaign stop in Martinsville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 2, 2013, Kim Adkins was re-elected as mayor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In August 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam pardoned all 7 African-American men of the Martinsville Seven.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 3, 2023, L.C. Jones was elected as new mayor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Relationship with Henry County

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Martinsville's relationship with Henry County is somewhat complex. Martinsville was fully included in Henry County's jurisdiction until it was declared a city by court order in 1928.<ref name="encva">Template:Cite web</ref> As with all cities in Virginia, Martinsville's incorporation as a city made it independent from Henry County's jurisdiction. Although Martinsville technically remains the county seat of Henry County, nearby Collinsville serves as the de facto county seat, as it is where the county's primary administrative and judicial offices are located. However, the future of this jurisdictional arrangement became unclear when Martinsville's city council unanimously voted in favor of beginning the process of reverting from a city to a town (which would reincorporate it into the county's jurisdiction) on December 10, 2019,<ref name="hcrev">Template:Cite web</ref> citing economic and demographic concerns.<ref name="wslsrev" >Template:Cite web</ref> The time frame for this reversion remains unclear, as the city's petition to revert must first be approved by a three-judge panel<ref name="wslsrev" /> in the state courts, after which begins a complex process of negotiation with the county over the division of responsibilities.<ref name="hcrev" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On January 11, 2023, the city council voted to end the reversion process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Beaver Creek Plantation,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>John Waddey Carter House,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dry Bridge School,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> East Church Street-Starling Avenue Historic District,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fayette Street Historic District, Little Post Office,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Martinsville Fish Dam,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Martinsville Historic District, Martinsville Novelty Corporation Factory,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Scuffle Hill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 in the Southern Virginia region near the Virginia–North Carolina state line and is Template:Convert northwest of Eden, North Carolina,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Convert northwest of Danville,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Convert north of Greensboro, North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Convert south of Roanoke,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Template:Convert northeast of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

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Template:Weather box

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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Martinsville city, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,707 5,732 48.53% 42.51%
Black or African American alone (NH) 6,191 6,043 44.79% 44.81%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 18 23 0.13% 0.17%
Asian alone (NH) 127 116 0.92% 0.86%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 4 0.00% 0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 10 46 0.07% 0.34%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 216 496 1.56% 3.68%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 552 1,025 3.99% 7.60%
Total 13,821 13,485 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

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As of the census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 13,821 people, 6,498 households, and 4,022 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,249 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 48.38% White, 45.45% 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 5.70% 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Economy

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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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (In most cases, in bold anti-competitive moves, the two tobacco titans simply shut down their acquisitions overnight.<ref>The Tobacco Worker, Tobacco Workers International Union, 1907. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref> These actions resulted in a U.S. government lawsuit against American Tobacco Company.<ref>Federal Anti-trust Decisions, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1917. Books.google.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2012.</ref>) 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On the retail front, Liberty Fair Mall opened in 1989.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, it was renamed the Village of Martinsville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 28, 2021, it was announced the Colorado-based apparel and footwear company VF Corporation will continue to expand in Martinsville creating 82 new jobs, while investing $10 million into the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other companies such as Georgia Pacific, Radial, Inc., Crown Holdings, and Eastman Chemical Company are also located in the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

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Local government

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The City of Martinsville operates under a council-manager government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The city council has five members who serve four-year terms. Every two years, the council elects a mayor and vice-mayor from among its members. An appointed city manager controls daily operations and manages the city's activities.

Current council members:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • L.C. Jones, mayor
  • Kathy Lawson, vice mayor
  • Sands Anderson, city attorney
  • Aaron Rawls, council member
  • Rayshaun Gravely, council member
  • Julian Mei, council member
  • Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, city manager

Federal, state and county representation

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The city of Martinsville and also Henry County is located in Virginia's 9th congressional district and is currently served by Republican Morgan Griffith.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Martinsville is served by one member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Eric Philips (R-48th), and one member of the Virginia Senate, Bill Stanley (R-20th).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Politics

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Beginning in the 1990s, Martinsville has consistently supported Democratic presidential candidates. In 2008 Barack Obama performed better in the city than any Democrat since 1944 with over 63% of the vote, and in all but one election since then Democrats have continued to obtain over 60% of the vote.

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Transportation

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File:2017-06-27 11 58 21 View north along U.S. Route 220 Business (Memorial Boulevard) between Harris Court and Commonwealth Boulevard in Martinsville, Virginia.jpg
U.S. Route 220 in Martinsville

Interstate highways

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Public transportation

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The Piedmont Area Regional Transit (PART) operates and serves the city of Martinsville. Routes include parts of both Martinsville and Henry county.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Air

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Martinsville is served by two commercial airports. Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport Template:Airport codes in Roanoke, and Piedmont Triad International Airport Template:Airport codes in Greensboro, North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Blue Ridge Airport is used for general aviation and is located Template:Convert outside the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

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File:Carlisle School.jpg
Carlisle School

The city is served by Martinsville City Public Schools.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There are five public schools in Martinsville:

  • Martinsville High School, opened in 1968 and serves roughly 580 students in grades 9–12.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Martinsville Middle School, originally built as a high school in 1939 and serves roughly 430 students in grades 6–8.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Albert Harris Elementary School, opened as a high school in 1958 and now serves roughly 490 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.<ref name="ahes">Template:Cite web</ref> The school is named after Albert Harris, an African-American minister who was a key advocate for the education of local African-American children.<ref name="ahes" />
  • Patrick Henry Elementary School, opened in 1950 and serves roughly 435 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.<ref name="phes">Template:Cite web</ref> The school is named after founding father Patrick Henry.<ref name="phes" />
  • Clearview Early Childhood Center, opened as an elementary school in 1954 and now serves roughly 140 students in preschool as part of the Virginia Preschool Initiative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Piedmont Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology is a magnet school serving both 11th & 12th grade students who take advanced courses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The city is also home to the K-12 private school, Carlisle School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The school serves approximately 400 students, about 130 of them are high school students. The School was established in 1968<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Colleges and universities in Martinsville include the New College Institute<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Patrick & Henry Community College, where students can also take satellite courses through Old Dominion University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Religion

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Houses of Worship in Martinsville:

Arts and culture

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Events and festivals

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Sports

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File:2019 STP 500 from frontstretch.jpeg
2019 STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville is home to the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Mustangs play at Hooker Field in Martinsville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Mustangs began play for the league's 2005 season. Martinsville was also home to two Minor league baseball teams, Martinsville Astros and Martinsville Phillies both Class-A affiliates of the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies respectfully.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Martinsville area is also home to Martinsville Speedway, which opened in 1947.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series hosts two races there every year while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hosts one race there every year. The speedway also host the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

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Media

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Print

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Television

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Martinsville is served by television stations in the Roanoke/Lynchburg television market. In addition Martinsville also receive television stations in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point television market.

Radio stations

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See also

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References

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Template:Coord Template:Virginia Template:Virginia county seats and independent cities Template:Authority control

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