Editing Glen Lyn, Virginia

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Glen Lyn, Virginia
|settlement_type          = [[Unincorporated area#United States|Unincorporated community]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Glen Lyn Plant from bridge.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Former [[American_Electric_Power#Appalachian_Power|Appalachian Power]] plant on the New River
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = VAMap-doton-GlenLyn.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Glen Lyn, Virginia
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Virginia]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Giles County, Virginia|Giles]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.69
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.61
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 95
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_ft             = 1673
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|22|23|N|80|51|39|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 24093 (Glen Lyn)
|area_code                = [[Area codes 540 and 826|540 and 826]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 51-31376<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1483667<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|glenlyn.org}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Glen Lyn''' is an [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] in [[Giles County, Virginia|Giles County]], [[Virginia]], United States, at the [[confluence]] of the [[East River (West Virginia)|East]] and [[New River (Kanawha River)|New]] rivers. Glen Lyn was incorporated as a town in 1926,<ref>{{cite web |title=Charter - Glen Lyn |url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/charters/glen-lyn/ |website=Virginia Law |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> and remained so until 2024 after its residents voted to dissolve the town's charter and become an unincorporated community.<ref name="dissolution">{{cite web |last1=Hemphill |first1=Michael |title=The Giles County town of Glen Lyn votes itself out of existence |url=https://cardinalnews.org/2024/12/10/the-giles-county-town-of-glen-lyn-votes-itself-out-of-existence/ |website=Cardinal News |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> The population was 95 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is part of the [[Blacksburg, Virginia|Blacksburg]]&ndash;[[Christiansburg, Virginia|Christiansburg]] [[Blacksburg-Christiansburg metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Mr. John Toney built the first brick house in Giles County in 1780. Toney owned the land around his settlement and named the area Montreal. Over the years a post office was established giving Montreal a new name of Mouth of East River. Railroad workers of the [[Norfolk and Western Railway]] later gave it the name Hell’s Gate. The name changed once again to its current name, Glen Lyn, meaning lovely glen, after the railroad’s completion in 1883.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Town History |url=https://glenlyn.org/town-history/ |website=Town of Glen Lyn |publisher=Town of Glen Lyn |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

During the late 1800s, a few stores and a [[ferry]] were opened, however, the community did not experience any substantial growth until the construction of the [[American_Electric_Power#Appalachian_Power|Appalachian Power]] plant in 1919. This development increased the population of Glen Lyn from 50 to 400 people.<ref name="history" /> 

==Geography==
Glen Lyn is located in northwestern Giles County at {{coord|37|22|23|N|80|51|39|W|type:city}} (37.373080, -80.860906),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> on both sides of the New River. It is bordered to the west by the East River and by the state of [[West Virginia]]. [[U.S. Route 460 in Virginia|U.S. Route 460]] passes through the town, leading east (upstream along the New River) {{Convert|3|mi|0}} to [[Rich Creek, Virginia|Rich Creek]] and west {{convert|15|mi}} to [[Princeton, West Virginia]]. [[Pearisburg, Virginia|Pearisburg]], the Giles County seat, is {{Convert|12|mi}} southeast (up the New River) via US 460, and [[Blacksburg, Virginia|Blacksburg]] is {{convert|34|mi}} southeast.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Glen Lyn had a total area of {{convert|1.9|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|1.7|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.2|sqkm|order=flip|1}}, or 12.22%, are water.

===Climate===
The climate in this area features moderate differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Glen Lyn has a [[marine west coast climate]], abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=793344&cityname=Glen+Lyn%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Glen Lyn, Virginia]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 274
|1940= 259
|1950= 240
|1960= 222
|1970= 191
|1980= 235
|1990= 170
|2000= 151
|2010= 115
|2020= 95
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 95 people residing in the town. There were 51 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 95.8% [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]], 0.0% [[African Americans|African American or Black]], 0.0% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 1.1% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 0.0% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 3.2% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 1.1% of the population.

===2010 census===
As of the census of 2010, there were 115 people residing in the town. There were 58 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US5131376| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Glen Lyn town, Virginia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 29, 2017}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 151 people, 57 households, and 38 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was 233.1 people per square mile (89.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 62 housing units at an average density of 95.7 per square mile (36.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 57 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $22,813 versus $18,750 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $12,706. There were 10.8% of families and 17.7% of the population living below the [[poverty line]], including 31.7% of under eighteens and 7.7% of those over 64.

==Parks and recreation==
Glen Lyn Park, a public park maintained by the Giles County Parks and Recreation Department is located in the community. The park was previously maintained by the Town of Glen Lyn prior to dissolution.<ref name="dissolution" /> The park includes areas for camping, fishing, a boat ramp, go-cart track and a playground. It also has a paved walking trail.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parks and Recreation |url=https://virginiasmtnplayground.com/parks-and-recreation/ |publisher=County of Giles |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

==Government==
Prior to the dissolution of the town in 2024, the last mayor and town manager was J. Howard Spencer.<ref name="dissolution" />

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Glen Lyn Post Office within the community.

==Education==
The community is served by Giles County Public Schools.

Higher education institutions are located in Blacksburg and [[Radford, Virginia|Radford]].

==Infrastructure==
Water and sewer service is provided to the community by Giles County.<ref name="dissolution" />

===Public safety===
Law enforcement is provided by the Giles County Sheriff's Office.<ref name="dissolution" />

Fire protection is provided by the Rich Creek Fire Department in nearby Rich Creek. [[Emergency medical services]] are provided by the Giles Lifesaving and Rescue Squad. Previously, Glen Lyn Fire and Rescue provided fire protection to the community. The agency disbanded in 2024.<ref name="dissolution" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dietrich |first1=Connor |title=Glen Lyn Volunteer Fire Department dissolves amid controversy |url=https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2024/10/17/glen-lyn-volunteer-fire-department-dissolves-amid-controversy/ |website=WSLS 10 News |publisher=Graham Media Group |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

==Transportation==
===Air===
The [[Mercer County Airport (West Virginia)|Mercer County Airport]] and [[New River Valley Airport]] are the closest [[general aviation]] airports to the community. The [[Greenbrier Valley Airport]] and [[Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport]] are the closest airports with commercial service to the community.
===Highways===
*[[Image:US 460.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 460 in Virginia#Glen Lyn to Christiansburg|U.S. Route 460]] (Virginia Avenue)

==Notable person==
*[[Henry Reed (musician)|Henry Reed]] (1884–1968), old-time fiddler and banjo player

==References==

<references />

==External links==
*[http://glenlyn.org/ Town website]

{{Giles County, Virginia}}

[[Category:Virginia populated places on the New River]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Giles County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Virginia]]