Gordonsville: Blending History with Progress

By Joanne DiMaggio

How is it possible to maintain your historic roots and yet embrace progress? No town has answered that question better than Gordonsville.

Gordonsville is unique in many ways. Its history to dates back to 1787 when Nathaniel Gordon purchased 1,350 acres of land and built his house there. Seven years later, he was running a tavern at the site, which soon became a stagecoach stop famous for its chicken dinners. Thomas Jefferson greatly admired the tavern, calling it a “good house.” 

Beginning in February 1836, Gordonsville became an important railway center for both commercial and passenger travel, and the town experienced rapid growth, as evidenced by the building of the elegant Exchange Hotel in 1859.  

During the Civil War, Gordonsville’s strategic location was vital to the Confederate army. Trains carried troops and supplies through town, along with 70,000 wounded Union and Confederate soldiers to the Exchange Hotel, which, during the war, became the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital. After 1865, Gordonsville slipped into obscurity, but over the last few years the town has been undergoing a Renaissance. 

Commercial Development

“Gordonsville’s ongoing revitalization process will put it on the map as a truly unique and desirable town to live in,” said Loretta Lynn Larned, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Realty Specialists. “It will allow the larger scale commercial projects to come to fruition, especially once investors realize the potential of the community itself.”

“New businesses are indeed coming to Gordonsville,” said Cindy Joskowiak, Broker/Owner of Premier Virginia Properties.  “Little Britches is a children’s boutique and tea house.  Chef Craig Hartman, the former executive chef at Keswick, started the Barbeque Exchange, and it’s going great.”

A new strip mall is going in near Wal-Mart at Zion Crossroads, which has the Gordonsville mailing address without actually being in the town. “I know they’re putting in an AnyTime Fitness, and I heard they’re putting a fast food restaurant in there,” Joskowiak added.

Larned said that while there have been a few major commercial projects in the works, the primary focus has been small businesses.  “Restaurant Pomme, the original flagship of Gordonsville, has recently expanded and is expected to have a lounge area and additional dining section open within the next few weeks.  In addition, we are proud to say we have completed our new Gordonsville Branch Library on Main Street, which opened in June.”

Variety of Lifestyles

Gordonsville has always attracted an eclectic group of people.  “Gordonsville seems to be a blend of families, young professionals and retirees collectively seeking a charming escape in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” said Larned. “From homeowners to farmers, equestrian enthusiasts, entrepreneurial store fronts on Main Street, as well as PBM Products—one of Fortune Magazine’s top 500 fastest growing businesses in the U.S.—Gordonsville offers a little something for everyone.”

Sharon Merrick of Roy Wheeler Realty Co. points out that one of the unique aspects to Gordonville is that it covers three counties: Albemarle, Orange and Louisa. “Within a 10-mile radius, residents can enjoy a rural atmosphere with mountain views, rolling hills and country lanes that provide an alternative quality of life,” she said. “The town provides a wonderful array of amenities so you do not feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.  You can run errands, shop, dine and bank locally and not sacrifice quality in products and services.”

Joskowiak said part of Gordonsville’s charm is its small-town allure. “It’s definitely a quaint town, typical of what you would think of as a sleepy town where everyone knows each other. The businesses work together to bring more business into town.  In my office nearly every day we have three or four people who stop in to say hello. We’re on Main Street so people who live here or clients shopping in town or going to the bank like to stop in and chat.”

Merrick said Gordonsville attracts different types of purchasers. “Some want to enjoy a country setting with either a little bit of land or a lot of land. Some find a quaint home they can fix up for a better price than in Charlottesville. Some buy now with the hopes of retiring in the future and having the property as a second home. Some buy to retire and start a dream of being a gentleman farmer or organic gardening.  And some just feel the need to escape from a subdivision.”

Housing Market

Merrick said that within the 22942 zip code there are 102 active properties, ranging in price from $66,000 to $2,700,000. There are 23 properties under contract, averaging $332,000, and in the past year, 113 properties sold with an average sale price of $258,000.

“Many owners who live out of state and have bought estate properties live here part-time or retire here,” said Joskowiak. “Then there are many first-time buyers coming because the town isn’t too expensive, and they can afford a decent home in a nice neighborhood for less than $200,000.” 

While the majority of properties are comprised of existing homes, Larned said new homes are spread throughout the area.  “There is new construction being offered in Spring Creek, Waverly Forest, Zion Manner, Shenandoah Crossings and a few vacant lots for sale in Gordonsville Gates, which can be built on.”

Old World Charm

Joskowiak added there are different buyers for different parts of Gordonsville. “If they’re looking to buy in town, they want to be within walking distance of downtown and schools. They want that old town neighborhood feel where they can look over the fence, talk to each other and be neighborly. Some of the people bought older homes because they’re charming with that old world feel.” 

It is that old world charm that Realtors® say keeps interest in Gordonsville alive.

“At this moment the main draw for Gordonsville would be its old-world downtown area,” said Larned. “Anchored by successful businesses ranging from restaurants to clothing boutiques and antique dealers, a person could quickly forget that they were walking the main street of a tiny town in rural Virginia.”

Gordonsville’s location is another reason it is an ideal place for an ambitious revitalization effort. “It’s a crossroads,” said Joskowiak. “You have to come through Gordonsville to get to most places. The roads are busy with tourists coming through to get to the mountains or to get to Charlottesville if they’re coming out from Fredericksburg, or if they’re going to Montpelier or the vineyards. It’s a pretty town, and many people have read about it in magazines.”

Gordonsville appeals to visitors as much as it does residents. “Gordonsville is a tourism draw because of what the town and surrounding areas offer,” said Merrick. “It is a lovely, countryside drive where you can visit a winery or two, shop, dine or visit historical landmarks.”

Larned said tourist activity is busiest during the spring and fall. “It captures Garden Week, The Montpelier Hunt Races, Wine Festivals, as well as the autumn leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  With that said, Gordonsville has a following of loyal fans, and certainly does not stop ticking when the tourists go home.”

And when the tourists do go home, Gordonsville’s residents enjoy that coveted sense of community. 

“I believe Gordonsville and the people that call it home are committed to putting this delightful town on the map,” Larned added. “The community and businesses have built a foundation for the next generation to succeed. It is that level of enthusiasm which will make the future of this town ever more exciting and sustainable.”