The people who live in Bedford County are a wonderful combination of residents;
descendants of original settlers, men and women who have called Bedford home
for decades, and of newcomers who have relocated because of the lake or the
county
’s rural and mountainous setting. They have different backgrounds, education
levels, occupations, and life experiences. Although most of the population
resides in Bedford, Forest or around Smith Mountain Lake, the remaining
citizens are scattered throughout the county, living in villages or on farms
near the villages. Village names are often derived from the settlers who first
opened a store or a post office. Some villages formed around a train depot and
have names of railroad men.
Most villages are country villages, even to this day. They center around a
church, a library, a post office, a school, or a former industry, such as a
tomato cannery or grist mill.
Big Island, located on the beautiful James River in the foothills of the Blue
Ridge Mountains, is home to the Georgia Pacific Corporation, which manufactures
corrugated paper and liner board. Big Island is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway
and to Natural Bridge. A foundation has been created to restore the Big Otter
Mill, which is located on 122 on the way to Big Island. The site has been used
as a mill as far back as the 1700s. Formerly known as Forbe
’s Mill, this is a unique architectural landmark, that is destined to become a
working attraction in the coming years. For information about the planned
renovations visit: www.BigOtterMill.com.
In the western and northern part of the county, among or near the Blue Ridge
Mountains, are the villages of Montvale, Villamont, Thaxton, Union, Kelso,
Jordantown, Shady Grove, and Mountain View. Montvale is one of the oldest
villages in the county. An Indian Mound on the south bank of Goose Creek
indicates Native Americans lived in the area. The village also had a colonial
fort. During World War II, nearby Buford
’s Airport was used as a training field for pilots. Today, a pipeline supplies
oil to storage tanks in Montvale. Petroleum companies use the tanks for storage
and as a depot for shipping. It is believed that the infamous Beale treasure
from the early 1800
’s is located in this area and there have been numerous attempts to unravel this
mystery. On the north side of the county, you can find several orchards with
fantastic seasonal items like peaches and apples.
Goode is located midway between Bedford City and Forest on Rt. 221. Goode has
beautiful views of the Peaks of Otter, beautiful farms and many new housing
developments. Goode is just minutes away from the City of Bedford, the Forest
area and Lynchburg.
In the southwest part of the county are the villages of Goodview, Stewartsville,
and Chamblissburg. Goodview is close to one of the least populated parts of
Smith Mountain Lake, and according to a local resident, one of the best fishing
spots of the lake. This area is seeing tremendous expansion in the residential
market as the Roanoke/Vinton area grow outward toward the lake.
The village of Moneta was once surrounded by canneries, dairies, and farms. Now,
because of its proximity to Smith Mountain Lake, there are shops, restaurants,
supermarkets, and many other community businesses and services to support lake
residents. Planned expansions such as
“Downtown Moneta” and several new housing developments will add to the growth of this area.
Follow Virginia Route 122, which connects the City of Bedford to Moneta and
Hales Ford Bridge at the lake.
Likewise, Huddleston, further east, is a center of lake commerce. This village
is close to Smith Mountain Lake State Park, lakeside golf courses and other
lake recreation. The burgeoning lake population has spurred recent business
growth in Huddleston.
The communities are more than just names on a map. They are part of the county’s history and a part of the future. These crossroads and gathering places are
integral to the charm and character of the Bedford area, It
’s greatest asset – the people.
