Cumberland: First for Independence >> Sights & Attractions

Sights & Attractions

Points of Interest

Ca Ira Warehouse/Store (private property)

This lone building and Grace Episcopal Church remain as the only reminders of the Ca Ira community located on Route 632 (Ca Ira Road) five miles west of the courthouse. This building originally contained a ballroom and a bar in the lower level.

Confederate Cemetery

The Confederate Cemetery (Soldiers Cemetery) is located within the Farmville town limits on Jackson Street, south of N. Main Street. Over 300 soldiers who had died in Farmville hospitals were buried here during the Civil War. Although there were simple, wooden markers at the grave sites, these eventually deteriorated so identities were lost. As a final tribute, the United Daughters' of the Confederacy erected a large stone marker with the inscription: Faithful Unto Death, Confederate Heroes, 1861-1865.

Cumberland Court House Square

This Virginia Historic Landmark is located in the heart of the village along Routes 60 and 45. The original court building and clerk's office were built in 1821 by an associate of Thomas Jefferson in the typical Jeffersonian-classical temple form with finely executed Tuscan portico. Also on the grounds is a 19th century well and 1901 Civil War monument. In the same vicinity is the former county jail built in 1823.

Epitaph by Charles Dickens - Charles Irving Thornton tombstone

Located in the Cumberland State Forest off Route 629 (Oak Hill Road) is Oak Hill cemetery. The tombstone marking the grave of infant, Charles Irving Thornton, who died March 12, 1842, is inscribed with a thirty-line epitaph written by Charles Dickens. It is only one of two known epitaphs penned by Dickens making this example unique among his American writings. The cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

Jesse Thomas Marker

Jesse Thomas' famous Revolutionary War ride will not be forgotten thanks to his descendants who in 1949 erected a little known monument at Thomas' homestead site, Royal Oaks, located on Route 663 (Game Farm Road). Jesse Thomas, a cavalryman, was home near Trenton Mills convalescing when he learned that Cornwallis had dispatched Colonel Simcoe to capture Baron von Steuben near Columbia. He mounted his saddle horse, Fearnought, and rode through pouring rain eventually swimming across the James River to warn von Steuben. His ride has been compared to that of Paul Revere.

Lithia Springs

Discovered in 1877 at the intersection of Osborn Road in Jackson Heights and Route 45 (Cumberland Road), Farmville Lithia Springs was incorporated in 1884 to sell lithium bottled water. Oral consumption of mineral water was used for medicinal purposes especially in the treatment of chronic diseases. This water was shipped to several major cities in the U. S. as well as abroad, and the trade was managed until 1957. There are some 14 springs on the private property many of which have the original concrete coverings.

Mottoes in Concrete

On Route 45 (Cartersville Road) approximately nine miles south of the village and next to Calvary Baptist Church was the home of Reverent John S. Jordon who was born in the county in 1877 and a Baptist minister. In the yard of his residence of 11 rooms, 67 windows, and 3 sun porches were his hand-made red and white concrete designs inscribed with Bible quotations and mottoes. The home is now gone but hidden in the growth are the remains of Rev. Jordon's benches and slabs which expressed his guide for living to others.

Pine Grove Elementary School now Pine Grove Community Center

Although many of the one and two-room schools of the county have fallen in ruin, a part of Cumberland's history was saved in the mid-1960's when a group of African-American leaders bought this building. It is located on Route 654 (Pinegrove Road) approximately two miles off of Route 60 (Anderson Highway).

Rosenwald Schools

In 1921 philanthropist Julius Rosenwald who was vice-president and treasurer of Sear, Roebuck mail order catalog, donated 30 million dollars to enrich rural education. He was responsible for the building of more than 5,000 school houses in approximately 15 southern states. These new buildings and a new concept of the 3Rs evolved. Several of these original structures are still standing in the county.

Shuart Home/Burial Place

Located on the east side of Route 45 (Cumberland Road) six miles north of Farmville is a two-room frame building which was both the home and garage of Squair M. Shuart. It was his wish that he be buried in the garage and his Model-T Ford rest over his grave. When Shuart died in 1931 at the age of 89, he was interred in the garage but the car does not rest there; however, an appropriate grave marker has been placed at the entrance.

Stops on The Route of Lee's Retreat

Stop #17 and #18 are two stops on the Route of Lee's Retreat located in Cumberland County. Call 1-800-6-RETREAT (1-800-673-8732) for more information