A Short History of Bedford, Virginia

The following article is sponsored by the sexual abuse lawyers in Bedford. We encourage visitors and residents to learn more about the history of the town and explore its many features.

Brief History of Bedford

Bedford is a former independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Now an incorporated town in Bedford County, Virginia, it is the county seat of the county. In 1782, Bedford was established as Liberty village after the Colonial victory over Cornwallis that happened at Yorktown. In 1839, Liberty became a town. Fifty-one years later, it changed its name to Bedford City. In 1912, the city reverted back to its town status to change it again to city status in 1968 when it was designated as an independent city. As of 2013, Bedford is considered a town.

Bedford is within proximity to the following:

• Blue Ridge Mountains to the north
• Smith Mountain Lake to the south
• Lynchburg to the east
• Roanoke and Interstate 81 to the west

It is also home to the National D-Day Memorial, which was authorized by former President Bill Clinton in September 1996 and designated by former President George W. Bush on June 6, 2001. The most severe D-Day losses happened in the town. Today, Bedford has a total read of 6.9 square miles. Part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, it has a population of 6,222 people as of the 2010 census.

Read on about Bridgewater, Virginia: A Synopsis.

Peaks of Otter

The Peaks of Otter can be found nine miles northwest of Bedford. Overlooking the town, it consists of three mountain peaks – Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill – in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also located in the valley of the three peaks is the manmade Abbott Lake. Preserved by the National Park Services, the Peaks of Otter can be found at milepost marker 85.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been a tourist attraction since the 1800s when local residents would open their homes and lodges to guests who were looking to relax in the mountains. The peak features:

• A Visitor Center
• Historic Peaks of Otter Lodge
• Campground
• Picnic Areas
• Hiking Trails
  • Flat Top has the highest peak altitude
  • Sharp Top has a medium peak altitude and is the most famous hike with a 360 degrees view at the top
  • Harkening Hills has the lowest peak altitude
• Fishing at Abbott Lake
• Polly Wood's Ordinary
  • An early tavern that served the area since the 1830s
• Johnson Farm

The hours of operation for the Peaks of Otter are daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Historic Avenel

The Historic Avenel was a plantation built by William M. Burwell and his wife Frances Steptoe Burwell around 1838. In 1906, the two-story Federal and Greek Revival style brick home was purchased by J. W. Ballard. Seventy-nine years later, it was acquired by the Avenel Foundation. Today, the Historic Avenel is the crown jewel of the town of Bedford. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated on the Virginia Landmarks Register, it is a beautiful venue for weddings, private events, and corporate events. Visitors to the town can also take a tour of the historic home for $10 per adult or $5 for children five to 14 years of age.

Our Local Office

Contact our Bedford doctor abuse attorneys if you were sexually harassed during medical treatment. You may be entitled to compensation. Call our local office today to discuss the detail of your potential case. Let us help you get justice.