CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

The Citie of Henricus, North America's second successful English settlement, was founded in 1611 by Sir Thomas Dale. The Citie, located 70 miles upriver from Jamestown, was established in what is now known as Chesterfield County. Today, Henricus and Henricus Historical Park are open daily for visitors to experience a re-creation of life from four centuries ago. Henricus is the place where Pocahontas lived, the first tobacco crops were grown to sell in Europe, the first college was established and the first American hospital was built.

Despite these early beginnings, Chesterfield did not become an official county until 1749. The name Chesterfield came from Philip Dormer Stanhope, Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Chesterfield's historical contributions include being the first place in the nation where coal was mined commercially, which led to the first paved road and the first railroad in Virginia, both built to haul coal around and outside the Region.

The county's 446 square miles are home to more than 291,000 residents and include more than 20 public parks, including Pocahontas State Park, a nature lover's paradise. Chesterfield is surrounded by the James and Appomattox Rivers with 3,000-acre Lake Chesdin on its southern border and Swift Creek in the county's western section. The Dutch Gap Conservation Area boasts fish, deer, groundhogs, waterfowl, muskrats and birds, including a rare blue heron rookery and bald eagles.

In addition to the natural landscapes, visitors to Chesterfield can enjoy Magnolia Grange, an 1822 plantation house with distinctive architecture and period furnishings, and the Chesterfield County Museum, featuring Native American artifacts and displays highlighting 400 years of county history.

Chesterfield's residents live in more than 1,000 neighborhoods. Recently named to Money Magazine's Top 100 Places to Live, the community of Midlothian offers small-town appeal and historic charm. One of the county's earliest planned communities, Brandermill has been recognized as the Best Planned Community in America by Better Homes and Gardens and the National Association of Home Builders. Located across the Swift Creek Reservoir, Woodlake is a planned community with a variety of housing options, many acres of common wooded property and limited commercial development. Closer to the James River and city limits, Bon Air residents enjoy the authentic Victorian homes that once made up this resort town.

Whether you're coming or going, it's easy to get to Chesterfield. Ground travelers have easy access to Interstates 64, 85, 95 and 295 while the Chesterfield County Airport, located off of Routes 10 and 288, serves a range of private and corporate aircraft. It also hosts the annual Chesterfield County Airshow.

For a complete listing of Chesterfield County attractions, search below or click here to visit the Chesterfield County website.