Nature and Culture in Harmony

Located west of Peebles Mountain on U.S. 29 is Lovingston, Virginia. Formed in 1807, the town has been the seat of Nelson County since 1809 when a courthouse was built in the center of town. Law offices, a clerk’s office, and the jail gave rise to a vibrant town center featuring taverns and hotels. The town has been noted for its historical significance and architectural diversity, with dozens of structures in the 225-acre historic area boasting a rich array of architectural styles ranging from Italianate to Craftsman to various strands of Revivalism.

With its mesmerizing landscape lying within driving distance of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, as well as being a day trip from Washington D.C. and Richmond, the Lovingston area is now home to a thriving brewing, culinary, and winery scene. Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, Trager Brothers Coffee Roasters, and the Lovingston Winery are a small sampling of the nationally recognized drink makers operating in and around the area.

Nature lovers will find an embarrassment of riches in the 471 square miles of Nelson. The James River forms the southern border, while the Blue Ridge Mountains border the north and west, and a major section of the western portion of the county falls within the George Washington National Forest. The county is home to Wintergreen Resort, a year-round destination for outdoor activities, and is convenient to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park.

Space to Live, Space to Build

Homes for sale in Lovingston are a unique blend of single-family homes and open lots with space for building new homes. The homes are reasonably priced, in some cases range up to 3,600 square feet, and feature spectacular views of the Nelson landscape. The architectural styles from run the gamut from classical to antebellum to modern. The open land parcels and homes for sale in Lovingston are spacious, private, and in some cases feature views of the area’s large ponds.

A Living History

Bolstered by an influx of Scotch-Irish and German immigrants, Lovingston and Nelson’s industries continued to grow during the 19th century and eventually grew to include apples, tobacco, and lumber. Nelson resident Earl Hamner Jr. began chronicling his experiences as a boy during the Great Depression during the 1930s; those writings became the basis for the legendary television show The Waltons. Brought low by the natural devastation of Hurricane Camille in 1969, Nelson has recovered thanks to the development of Wintergreen and the revitalization of its local agriculture and continues to see steady economic growth thanks to its maturing tourism industry.