DAN RIVER DISTRICT
What makes Dan River and Patrick County special? It’s people. We are fortunate to have such a talented, educated, and diverse population. Our District and County was founded on farming and forestry. Each still play an important part of providing employment.
From green houses, nurseries, cattle, tobacco, vineyards, produce, aquiculture, and small businesses; they all add to the beauty and sustainability of our county.
Dan River district gets its name from the Dan River which headwaters at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountain range and flows though Kibler Valley; made famous by the Kibler Valley River Run, sponsored by the Red Bank Ruritan Club in Claudville.
The annual event brings Kayak and Canoe enthusiasts from several states to enjoy this beautiful stretch of white water.
There are 3 main rivers that headwater in the Dan River District, Dan, Little Dan and Ararat , and many creeks and tributaries, so one may want to try their luck fishing for Trout, as these streams are great for fishing and camping.
If one wants to enjoy mountain beauty at its best, then you may, from the Blue Ridge Parkway, (Scenic Parkway that passes through the northern tip of Dan River District and Patrick County). Visit the lookout at Groundhog Mountain or at the Doe Run Lodge both located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From that vantage point, one can see Claudville, Ararat, and mountains in North Carolina including Pilot Mountain, Sauratown Mountain range including Hanging Rock and Mores Knob.
Lodging is available in several locations, Prim land Resort, one of the premier resorts in the USA where scenic beauty abounds, enjoy hunting, fishing, clay shooting, and golf.
Also there is lovely Bed and Breakfast located through out Dan River District and Patrick County. Wolf Creek Farm Bed and Breakfast located in Ararat is a prime example as well as Cedar Creek cabins located in Claudville. More info at www.patrickchamber.com/
Bring history to life at the Civil War Reenactment at Laurel Hill, Ararat, Va (Birth Place of Jeb Stuart). On the first weekend in October celebrate the life of Confederate Major General James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart. With a reenactment of a Civil war battle.
Also at Laurel Hill, Revolutionary War reenactment is held in the spring to commemorate William Letcher, an American Patriot who was born near Laurel Hill in Ararat.
Laurel Hill was placed on the Virginia Landmark Register in 1998, and included on the National Register of Historic Places later that year.
Ararat is also home to The Hollow History Center which includes a collection of a 23,000-name genealogical database of Patrick County families and the genealogical
database of J.E.B. Stuart's family. The center also has several restored log buildings and a beautiful log cabin.
Local musicians gather for a Jam Session of Mountain Music every Friday night at Willis Gap Community Center, a member of The Crooked Road.
The Willis Gap section of Ararat is the home of John Bowman who is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and currently plays with The Isaacs. This area is known for the excellent Peaches, Apples, and other fruits that grow well in this beautiful mountainous region of Dan River District.
Claudville is proud to be the home of the first White Space test in the World. At the urging of Congressman Rick Boucher, Spectrum Bridge along with Microsoft, Dell and others chose Claudville as the first place to test the use of the bandwidth once used by our analog TV to distribute the next generation of Broad Band Wireless Internet; the technology for the future of Broadband wireless.
Come visit Patrick County, You may just want to stay! Roger
Dan River District Attractions:
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