What's So Special About Rappahannock County?
In 1749 a young surveyor wrote the following in his journal, "....in the Blue Ridge Mountains .... I laid off a town." The seventeen year old apprentice surveyor was George Washington and the town he laid out, Washington, Virginia was named after him in 1796. The Rappahannock County seat looks pretty much the same now as it did back then. That's just one aspect of the uniqueness of Rappahannock - its timelessness.
Rappahannock County is one of the few places on the Eastern seaboard that has survived into the 21st century without so much as a traffic light, let alone fast-food restaurants, chain stores, and all the other attendant "conveniences" of modern life. What Rappahannock does have is peaceful farms, quiet villages, and the gentle pastoral landscape of the Virginia Piedmont with the Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the distance. At times it's hard to believe that Washington, DC is just a little over an hour away.
Manor Farm photo by Richard Lykes
What keeps Rappahannock County such an idyllic "island" and rampant development at bay, is a combination of far-sighted zoning laws, conservation easements, the protective barrier of the Shenandoah National Forest, and a fierce commitment among its residents to hold on to the scenic landscapes make Rappahannock unique among its neighbors.
If you appreciate those values, and enjoy a life that combines a lively interest in the natural world and small-town civic mindedness, then you'll feel right at home here. On the other hand, if you need the ultimate retail experience right outside your door, I'd suggest you look elsewhere, as you'll probably not be happy living in Rappahannock. For more information about moving to Rappahannock, click here.
While most visitors and new residents are attracted to Rappahannock County because of its solitude and remove from the hustle and bustle of big city life, the County is awash in things to do and places to go. An abundance of bed & breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, and terrific local farm products mean you'll never go hungry. The great outdoors in the form of mountains, streams, forests, and fields provides great activities for the body, while the vibrant local artistic scene of galleries, theater, and lectures feeds the mind.
Things to Know about Rappahannock County
Climate - A mild temperate climate for the most part, but July and August are known for their heat and humidity. The Virginia Piedmont is lush with greenery in the summer. Average summer daytime temperatures are in the mid 80s and reach into the 90s in mid and late summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are fairly common in late summer. In the autumn the landscape is awash in fall color. From September to November daytime temperatures are quite comfortable in the 60s and 70s. The countryside is somewhat subdued in the winter, but still shows some evidence of greenery, with snow falling perhaps three or four times in the season, but rarely enough to accumulate (except at higher elevations), and average daytime winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Spring brings out an explosion of flowers and average daytime temperatures in the 50s in March, 60s in April, and in the 70s by May.
Population - The 2000 census showed a full-time population of 6,972. Washington, VA, our county seat is the biggest town in the county, with a population just shy of 200. Weekend residents and visitors swell those numbers, especially in the Spring and Autumn.
Taxes - Rappahannock has a small population base with not a lot of demand for government services. As a result taxes are low (real estate taxes are currently $0.58 per $1,000 of value). Folks in Rappahannock want to keep it this way. Lots of services and amenities are provided on a volunteer basis, and the community is quite active in supporting the public schools, local arts, preserving the environment, etc., by contributing their time and money.
Services - Services you'd expect from a local suburban jurisdiction (trash pick-up, recreational facilities, etc) are non-existent here, and Rappahannockers just as happy without them.
Favorite Local Pastimes - Fox-hunting, gardening, attending community events, hking, hunting, fishing, volunteering, rusticating.
Press Mentions - Every so often the outside world "discovers" Rappahannock, which duly horrifies the locals. We prefer being undiscovered, but here's what they've been saying about us:
Rappahannock News - November 29, 2007
Rappahannock News - August 17, 2007
Washington Post - July 12, 2006
Page News and Courier - July 7, 2005 Washington Post - July 4, 2005 New York Times - June 10, 2004 Washington Post - November 2, 2003 New York Times - September 12, 2003 Washington Post - November 17, 2001 Fredricksburg Free-Lance Star - July 1, 2001 Fredricksburg Free-Lance Star - July 2, 2001 Washington Post - May 17, 2000 New York Times - September 26, 1999 Washington Post - November 11, 1998Local Links -
Destinations:
Shenandoah National Park - serves as the western boundary of Rappahannock County
Old Rag Mountain - dominates the local skyline
Washington, VA - Rappahannock County seat
Amissville - Village in Rappahannock County
Sperryville - Village in Rappahannock County
Local Farms and Vineyards:
Cornucopia Farm - white doves for special occasions
Eastwood Nurseries - the best Japanese Maples
Dixie Meadows - water buffalo and other exotic beasts
Farfelu Vineyards - the oldest Virginia winery
Goat Hill Farm - organic vegetables, flowers & plants
Lantern Lane Farm - dressage lessons and riding
Manor Farm - Black Angus cattle and farm stays
Misty Mountain Farm - the best source for wool, yarns and spinning info
Sacred Springs Farm - Lusitano horses, equestrian events & rental cottage
Sharp Rock Vineyards - vineyard at the foot of Old Rag Mountain
Sunnyside Farms - organic foods of all kinds
Touchstone Farm - lamb and wool
Waterland Farm - natural beef & hay
Waterpenny Farm - terrific veggies available at the farm
Local Community Links:
Rappahannock County - Everything you need to know about local government, population, economy, etc
Rappnet - Local internet mailing list where locals trade information, argue about politics, and express their gratitude that they live here.
Rappvoice - A local online newspaper.
Rappahannock.com - listings of farms, vineyards, and places to eat and stay in Rappahannock
Rappahannock News - Our local community newspaper
Town of Washington - Our County seat
Washington Hospitality and Visitors Association - local inns and services
Rappahannock Democratic Party - nice on-line community calendar
Rappahannock Farmers Association - local farming group
RappFlow - protecting our rivers and streams
Rappahannock Association for Arts & the Community - the cornerstone of local cultural offerings.
Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection - protecting local flora & fauna and our countryside
Theatre at Washington - attracts performers of international renown.
Rappahannock Public Schools - link to current events at our schools
Old Dominion Hounds - local foxhunt
Rappahannock Hunt - local foxhunt
Land Preservation:
Piedmont Environmental Council
Visitor Resources:
Rappahannock.com - listings of farms, vineyards, and places to eat and stay in Rappahannock
Bed & Breakfast Inns - places to stay
Flint Hill Public House - restaurant in Flint Hill
Griffin Tavern - restaurant in Flint Hill
Four & Twenty Blackbirds - restaurant in Flint Hill
Inn at Little Washington - restaurant and inn in Washington
Middleton Inn - award-winning inn in Washington
Bleu Rock Inn - restaurant and inn in Washington
