Editing Purcellville, Virginia

{{Short description|Town in Virginia, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Purcellville, Virginia
|official_name            = Town of Purcellville
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Town of Purcellville, Downtown District.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Downtown Purcellville in November 2014
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map              = USA Virginia Northern#USA Virginia#USA
|pushpin_label            = Purcellville
|pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Virginia|size=23px}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Loudoun County, Virginia.svg|size=23px}} [[Loudoun County, Virginia|Loudoun]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Stanley J Milan, Sr
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = March 14, 1908

<!-- 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         = 3.40
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.38
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 8929
|population_density_sq_mi = 2626.2

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset = &minus;5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_ft             = 574
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|8|4|N|77|42|40|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 20132, 20134, 20160
|area_code                = [[Area code 540|540]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 51-65008<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/purcellvilletownvirginia|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2022-02-28|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1472871<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|www.purcellvilleva.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|area_total_km2 = 8.81
|area_land_km2 = 8.77
|area_water_km2 = 0.04
|population_density_km2 = 1161.02
}}
'''Purcellville''' is a town in [[Loudoun County, Virginia|Loudoun County]], [[Virginia]]. The population was 8,929 according to the 2020 census. Purcellville is the major population center for Western Loudoun and the Loudoun Valley. Many of the older structures remaining in Purcellville reflect the Victorian architecture popular during the early twentieth century.

==History==
Although the first land grant in the area was issued by [[Lord Fairfax of Cameron]] in 1740, it was not until 1764 that Purcellville's first known settler, James Dillon from [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania]], arrived. The early ox cart track which wound westward from Leesburg towards the Blue Ridge, known later as the "Great Road," served as the town's nucleus, although farms existed in the area, and [[Ketoctin Baptist Church]] had been founded nearby by 1752. The first recorded business, an ordinary (a combined store and inn), was established by Abraham Vickers in 1799. This was followed by a second ordinary, established by Stacey Taylor in 1804, and later by "Purcel's Store" and Post Office, established by Valentine Vernon Purcell (from whom the town's name is derived). A blacksmith's shop, established around 1848, was also among Purcellville's earliest businesses. On July 9, 1853, the village officially adopted the name Purcellville.<ref name="Scheel, Eugene M. 1983">{{Cite book |last=Scheel |first=Eugene M. |title=The Story of Purcellville |year=1983 |location=Purcellville, VA}}</ref>

The Great Road became an authorized turnpike in 1785 and extended the turnpike system westward from Alexandria to [[Snickers Gap]], and beyond to [[Berryville, Virginia|Berryville]] and [[Winchester, Virginia|Winchester]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Pawlett |first=Nathanial Mason |title=A Brief History of the Roads of Virginia 1607-1840 |publisher=Virginia Highway Research Council |year=1977 |url=http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/78-r16.pdf |access-date=November 30, 2013}}</ref> With the construction of this Turnpike in 1832, travel through Purcellville began to increase and the first stagecoach arrived in 1841. A railroad link on the Alexandria, Loudoun, and Hampshire line (forerunner to the [[Washington and Old Dominion Railroad]]) connecting the town to Leesburg and points east was built prior to the Civil War, and travel to points further west were continued by stagecoach through Purcellville.

Although both Union and Confederate armies passed through Purcellville during the Civil War, the town witnessed limited fighting with the most notable action occurring at the skirmish of [[Heaton's Crossroads]]. The town and surrounding area were contained within the area known as Mosby's Confederacy, the main area of operations for Confederate [[partisan (military)|partisan]] [[John S. Mosby]], and the town was pillaged as part of [[The Burning Raid]] of 1864 in retribution for the area's support of Mosby's command.

When the railroad was extended to Purcellville in 1874, the town took Leesburg's place as the beginning of the stage route until the railroad was extended to [[Round Hill, Loudoun County, Virginia|Round Hill]] in 1875. The [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] constructed the still existing [[Purcellville Train Station]] in 1891.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kalbian |first1=Maral S |last2=Peters |first2=Margaret T. |url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Loudoun/286-5001-0233_Purcellville_Train_Depot_2009_FINAL_Nomination.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service): Purcellville Train Station |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=November 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Loudoun/286-5001-0233.PurcellvilleTrainStation.photos.htm |title=Purcellville Train Depot, Loudoun Co. -- DHR #286-5001-0233 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources |access-date=November 30, 2013}}</ref> The railroad ceased operation in 1968. Its right-of-way serves as the [[Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park]], which has its western terminus at the station.

The first public school was built in 1883. On March 14, 1908, the town was incorporated by an act of Virginia's General Assembly.<ref name="Scheel, Eugene M. 1983"/>

In the 20th century, a series of disastrous fires, the first in 1900 and then two more in 1914, virtually wiped out the business district, depriving the town of what remained of its earliest architectural heritage. The town's prominent location in the center of the Loudoun Valley and presence of the railroad helped the town to become the major agricultural center of Western Loudoun and led to redevelopment and expansion of the business district in the early and mid-20th century. In the latter 20th century, widening of [[Virginia State Route 7]] has led to increased suburban development in and around the town and Purcellville's traditional dependence upon agriculture as its primary source of income has since diminished as more and more residents are employed outside of the community
.<ref name="Scheel, Eugene M. 1983"/>

In addition to the Purcellville Train Station, [[Locust Grove (Purcellville, Virginia)|Locust Grove]], the [[Purcellville Historic District]], [[Rich Bottom Farm]], and [[The Tabernacle-Fireman's Field]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
Purcellville is located at {{coord|39|8|4|N|77|42|40|W|type:city}} ({{coord|39|8|4|N|77|42|40|W|type:city|format=dec|}}).<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>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|3.1|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

Purcellville lies in western [[Loudoun County, Virginia]], in the heart of the [[Loudoun Valley]], approximately 9 miles west of the County Seat of [[Leesburg, Virginia]]. Just to the west are the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] (visible from many areas of town) and the town [[Round Hill, Loudoun County, Virginia|Round Hill]], {{convert|4|mi|km}} away. [[Philomont]] is {{convert|5|mi|km}} south, and [[Middleburg, Virginia]] is approximately {{convert|12|mi|km}} to the southeast. [[Lovettsville, Virginia|Lovettsville]] is approximately {{convert|11|mi|km}} to the north.

==Government==
Purcellville is governed by a town council with six seats and a mayor. Three of the seats, and the mayor's seat, go before the voters every two years. {{As of |2025}}, the Purcellville Town Council is composed of Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett, Council members Susan Khalil, Carol Luke, Kevin Wright, Erin Rayner, and Caleb Stought.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://purcellvilleva.gov/524/Mayor-and-Council-Members |title=Town Council |publisher=Town of Purcellville |access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>

[[Image:Purcellville-VA-Train-Station.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The train station that was once part of the [[Washington and Old Dominion Railroad|W&OD rail line]] and is now the western end of the [[Washington and Old Dominion Trail|W&OD trail]].]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 98
|1910= 388
|1920= 549
|1930= 747
|1940= 787
|1950= 945
|1960= 1419
|1970= 1775
|1980= 1567
|1990= 1744
|2000= 3584
|2010= 7727
|2020= 8929
|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=February 28, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2020, there were 8,929 people, and 2,986 households. The [[population density]] was {{convert |2,626.2|PD/sqmi|/sqkm}}. The racial makeup of the town was 83.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.4% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 12.2% of the population.

The median income for a household in the town was $139,073. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $46,399. 3.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]].

== Education ==
The town's educational institutions include public and private institutions. [[Loudoun County Public Schools]] operates the public schools within the town. Public schools covering kindergarten to twelfth grade include [[Loudoun Valley High School]], [[Woodgrove High School]], Blue Ridge Middle School, Harmony Middle School, Emerick, Kenneth W. Culbert, and Mountain View Elementary Schools. [[Patrick Henry College]], a private Christian liberal arts college, is located just inside the eastern border of Purcellville.

[[File:2019-09-27 12 48 03 View west along Virginia State Route 7 (Harry Byrd Highway) from the overpass for Virginia State Route 690 (Hillsboro Road-North 21st Street) in Purcellville, Loudoun County, Virginia.jpg|thumb|left|SR 7 westbound in Purcellville, the largest highway in Purcellville]]

==Transportation==
The primary highway serving Purcellville is [[Virginia State Route 7]]. SR 7 extends eastward to [[Leesburg, Virginia|Leesburg]] and beyond, eventually terminating in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]], with interchanges at [[Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway)|Interstate 495]], [[Interstate 66]] and [[Interstate 395 (Virginia)|Interstate 395]]. Towards the west, SR 7 passes [[Berryville, Virginia|Berryville]] before terminating at [[Winchester, Virginia|Winchester]], where it interchanges with [[Interstate 81 in Virginia|Interstate 81]]. The current alignment of SR 7 through Purcellville is actually a bypass of the original road through the middle of Purcellville, which now comprises [[Virginia State Route 7 Business (Purcellville)|SR 7 Business]].

[[Virginia State Route 287]] also serves Purcellville. Starting at SR 7 Business, SR 287 heads north, passing through [[Lovettsville, Virginia|Lovettsville]] before terminating at the [[Potomac River]], where a bridge connects SR 287 to [[Brunswick, Maryland|Brunswick]], [[Maryland]].

== Library ==
The Purcellville Public Library is a county-owned public lending library. The Purcellville Public Library was founded in 1938 by [[Clarence Robey]] and [[Gertrude Robey]]. The library was designed by [[Delos H. Smith]] and built in 1937. The Purcellville Library and its [[bookmobile]] service were some of the initial branches in the creation of the [[Loudoun County Public Library]] system, established in 1973, alongside the Sterling Public Library.<ref>{{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Meredith |date=July 11, 2011 |title=Purcellville (Images of America) |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |pages=32–33 |isbn=9780738587554 }}</ref>

== Public safety ==
The Purcellville Police Department is a state-accredited 24-hour law enforcement agency, comprising 21 sworn officers and 2 civilian personnel. The Police Department is located at 125 Hirst Road in Purcellville and is one of four full-service law enforcement agencies primarily serving in Loudoun County. It also has an auxiliary unit, the Purcellville Citizen Support Team, that performs street patrols and assists officers in accidents and civil events like parades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/50/Police|title=Police Department &#124; Purcellville, VA - Official Website|website=www.purcellvilleva.gov}}</ref>

On April 8, 2025, the Purcellville Town Council voted to eliminate its police department. This occurred during the same meeting the police department was congratulated for achieving reaccreditation and the year after Purcellville was noted to be the safest town in Virginia. The bloc voting to eliminate the police department included Vice Mayor Ben Nett. Nett was previously employed with the Purcellville Police Department, and his employment status at the time of this vote was unclear. Nett was the subject of internal affairs investigations for dishonesty in February, 2025 that led to the Loudoun Commonwealth Attorney placing Nett on the Brady/Giglio list. The Brady/Giglio list is for police officers that the Commonwealth Attorney's office believes have dishonesty issues and will not subpoena to testify. It can be considered career-ending. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Pampaloni |first=Hanna |date=8 April 2025 |url=https://www.loudounnow.com/news/purcellville-council-majority-to-close-police-dept-votes-in-fraser-as-manager/article_ffd2a02a-c3c2-4b4c-a3ff-5df93299c5cb.html |title=LoudounNow - Purcellville Council Majority to Close Police Department}}</ref>
 
Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad Company 14, established in 1969, is a 100% volunteer organization operated in partnership with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. The organization operates three ambulances and provides both [[Basic life support|Basic Life Support]] (BLS) and [[Advanced life support|Advanced Life Support]] (ALS) to the citizens and community of Purcellville and its surrounding areas. Loudoun County EMS Supervisor 602 operates out of company 14 24/7.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company 2 is a separate organization and is staffed by career Loudoun County personnel from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and volunteers from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. During the day, the career staff have first-pull on any emergency call for the station, but volunteers must staff the second-out fire apparatus on a call and any remaining calls while the career staff are out of the station. Their apparatus includes a class A attack pumper/medium duty squad (Rescue Engine 602), class A attack pumper(Engine 602), 3,000 gallon tanker (Tanker 602), 102&nbsp;ft ladder truck (Tower 602), a brush truck (Brush 602), a jeep designed in house for off-road fires (Brush 602B), a Ford Excursion for transportation of personnel (SERV 602), a 2011 Ford F250 for transporting equipment and snowplow during the winter (Utility 602) and a 2011 Chevy Tahoe designated Command 602.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://purcellvillefire.org/|title=Purcellville Fire Company &#124; Volunteer Firefighter Opportunities Available, Donate Today &#124; Purcellville, VA|website=purcellvillefire.org/}}</ref>

Purcellville Fire and Purcellville Rescue moved into their new building at 500 North Maple Avenue in early June 2009. While they reside under one roof, they still retain their independent company names and numbers. Purcellville Fire's side opens onto Hirst Road, while Purcellville Rescue opens on to Maple Avenue.

Loudoun County Battalion Chief 602 also operates out of Station 2 24/7.

==Sports==
The [[Virginia Valley Vipers]] of [[The Basketball League]] (TBL) have played at [[Patrick Henry College]] since 2023.

==Notable people==

*[[Madeleine Albright]], diplomat{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
*[[Shaun Alexander]], NFL player
*[[Henry Cole (illustrator)|Henry Cole]], illustrator
*[[Steve Czaban]], sports broadcaster
*[[Michael Farris (lawyer)|Michael Farris]], lawyer and activist
*[[Drew Hunter]], runner
*[[Blair Brown Lipsit]]z, volleyball player for Penn State
*[[Billy Pierce (choreographer)|Billy Pierce]], choreographer
*[[Betsy Woodruff Swan]], journalist

==Climate==
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Purcellville has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=724033&cityname=Purcellville,+Virginia,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Purcellville, Virginia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Purcellville, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 78
|Feb record high F = 81
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 100
|May record high F = 102
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 86
|Dec record high F = 79
|year record high F = 109
|Jan high F = 41.0
|Feb high F = 44.0
|Mar high F = 52.6
|Apr high F = 64.5
|May high F = 72.9
|Jun high F = 81.4
|Jul high F = 86.4
|Aug high F = 84.7
|Sep high F = 77.8
|Oct high F = 66.3
|Nov high F = 54.9
|Dec high F = 44.7
|year high F = 64.3
|Jan mean F = 32.8
|Feb mean F = 35.0
|Mar mean F = 42.5
|Apr mean F = 53.4
|May mean F = 62.2
|Jun mean F = 71.2
|Jul mean F = 76.0
|Aug mean F = 74.3
|Sep mean F = 66.9
|Oct mean F = 55.3
|Nov mean F = 44.7
|Dec mean F = 36.5
|year mean F = 54.2
|Jan low F = 24.5
|Feb low F = 25.9
|Mar low F = 32.3
|Apr low F = 42.2
|May low F = 51.6
|Jun low F = 61.1
|Jul low F = 65.5
|Aug low F = 63.9
|Sep low F = 56.1
|Oct low F = 44.3
|Nov low F = 34.5
|Dec low F = 28.4
|year low F = 44.2
|Jan record low F = −15
|Feb record low F = −13
|Mar record low F = -2
|Apr record low F = 10
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 39
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 19
|Nov record low F = 5
|Dec record low F = -11
|year record low F = -15
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.05
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.56
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.61
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.54
|May precipitation inch = 4.35
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.25
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.08
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.57
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.77
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.52
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.13
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.35
|year precipitation inch = 43.78
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lwx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 5, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00444909&format=pdf
| title = Station: Purcellville, VA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 5, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{commons category|Purcellville, Virginia}}
* {{Official website|www.purcellvilleva.gov}}
* [http://www.purcellvillerescue.org Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad]
* [http://www.purcellvillefire.org/ Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department]

{{Loudoun County, Virginia}}
{{Virginia towns}}

[[Category:Purcellville, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Loudoun County, Virginia]]