LYNCHBURG, Va., city Campbell County, on the James River and on the Norfolk and Western, the Southern and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad 174 miles south-southwest of Washington. The city is situated in a river valley which forms a pass through the moun tains. The irregularity of the surface upon which stands the city, the hills, the numerous terraces, the many trees along the streets, the well-built, handsome houses with neatly kept grounds, all make the place most attractive.
Lynchburg was founded in 1786 by John Lynch, but it was not incorporated until 1823. It was early in the 19th century, as now, a distributing centre for places above on the river and for many settlements and towns south of the James. The Confederates used it as a supply depot during the Civil War.
On 18 June 1864 General Hunter, of the eral army, attacked the city, but was defeated.
Manufactures, The chief manufac tures are iron products, tobacco, cotton goods, plows, wagons, shoes, bark extract, candy, fertilizers, overalls, hardware, flour and lum ber. It has extensive tobacco interests, as a manufacturing and jabbing centre being among the seven leading shoe jobbing cen tres of the Union. The trade is principally
in tobacco, raw and manufactured; coal, granite and its own manufactures. Lynchburg is the seat of Randolph-Macon Woman's Col lege, Virginia Christian College (coeduca tional) and Episcopal School for Boys, and it has four hospitals, the Miller Female Orphan Asylum, a Presbyterian orphanage, an Odd Fellows' orphanage, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A. and Chamber of Commerce. Granite quarries are near by, and large coal fields and iron ore are in the neighboring counties. The river fur nishes extensive water power, which aids in the development of the manufacturing interests of the city.
Government, The government of the city is vested in a mayor, who holds office four years, and a council and board of aldermen (biennial). The city treasurer, clerk of the courts and commissioner of revenue are chosen by popular election, and the other officers are appointed. The waterworks plant is owned and operated by the city. Pop. about 29,494. Con sult Cabell, 'Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg.'