Blackstone
Chamber of Commerce
Directions
P.O. Box 295
Blackstone, VA 23824
434-292-1677
chamber@blackstoneva.com
Throughout its history, Nottoway’s people have remained hard working, industrious and friendly. They are proud of the community that they and those who came before them have created.
Local History
Blackstone History
The village of Blacks and Whites dates back to the Revolutionary War, but its exact date is unknown. The name was derived from two rival tavern keepers, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. White. In German, Schwartz means black and therefore the crossroads of three stagecoach roads came to be known as Blacks and Whites. On April 7, 1829, a Blacks and Whites Post Office was established. However, the name was changed to Bellefonte on May 11, 1875, so that it would be identical with the name of the Norfolk and Western Railroad Station. Then on August 4, 1882, the town was renamed Blacks and Whites. At a meeting of the local citizens, Dr. Jethro Meriwether Hurt proposed the name Blackstone after Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780), who was an English jurist. On February 23, 1886, the name of Blacks and Whites was changed to Blackstone.
Blackstone was first incorporated on February 23, 1888 and the Town Manager form of government was adopted on June 1, 1914. It became the thirteenth town in the United States to choose this form of government, which consists of a Mayor and seven councilmen elected every two years.
Although not much is known abou t the role of Blacks & Whites during the Revolutionary War, Tarleton with his British cavalry passed about three miles east of town burning Edmonds Old Tavern. The house, rebuilt by Captain Samuel Morgan, is still standing and is to be seen on the right side of the road to Wellville.
Being removed from the scene of conflict during the Civil War the village suffered little from the invading armies. Due to this fact in 1862-63 the Confederate Covernment established a Convalescent Hospital at Blacks and Whites. On April 5, 1865, General Grant passed through Blacks and Whites, by train in pursuit of General Lee's Army. The last great battle of that war was fought at Saylors Creek just a few miles west of Blackstone. World War II saw the creation of Camp PIckett in 1942.
Schwartz Tavern History
This historic tavern is the oldest building in Blackstone, and it was the hub of Blackstone's growth in the nineteenth century.
John Schwartz was an early settler in Nottoway County. Although Nottoway was only 30 miles from the bustling port city of Peterburg, the county's lack of navigable waterways meant that transportation was limited to overland travel, and much of Nottoway remained unsettled until after the Revolutionary War. In 1790 John Schwartz purchased the property near the intersections of Jordan's Road, Cryor's Road, Old Church Road, and Cocke's Road, the stage route from Petersburg to North Carolina.
In May 1798, Schwartz was issued a license to operate an ordinary, or tavern, at this site, about a block east of the tavern owned by Francis White. Because of the similarity of Schwartz's name to the German schwarz or black, the settlement was soon know as Black's and White's. By 1800 the community also included a doctor's office, blacksmith's shop, and icehouse.
Schwartz Tavern was enlarged at least twice after Schwartz's purchase; first a ballroom was added on its north side. Today's southern end of the tavern was also added in the early nineteenth century, and by the 1830's that building was referred to as the "dwelling house" to distinguish it from the "tavern house." In the 1840's the two buildings were connected.
The Schwartz family continued to operate the tavern after John Schwartz's death. By the 1830's the tavern complex included the tavern house, dwelling house, kitchen, quarters, stable, carriage house, blacksmith shop, whellwright's shop, ice house, doctor's office, and over 130 acres. Licenses for an ordinary continued to be granted to tavern owners until 1872. Later used as a private residence, the tavern was the home of Gilliam Anderson until his death in 1948. Throughout the 1960's the tavern was unoccupied. In 1974 the heirs of the Anderson family gave the tavern to the Town of Blackstone to insure its restoration and preservation.
The Schwartz Tavern Authority was formed for that purpose. The tavern is a historic Landmark. It has been restored and furnished with the financial aid and support of many persons. Such work never ceases. Plans are being made to reproduce a kitchen and servants quarters, which were razed in 1982 before restoration began.
Schwartz Tavern Authority is a non-profit organization, which depends on contributions. Gifts are tax deductible. Checks can be made payable to Schwartz Tavern Authority, P.O.Box 460, Blackstone, VA 23824
Schwartz Tavern is open daily for informal tours. Groups may schedule guided tours with local historians. Call the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce office (housed in the tavern) for more information at (434) 292-1677 or the Town Manager's office at (434) 292-7251.
Nottoway County History
Nottoway County was first inhabited by native American Indians of the Iroquoian nation tribe called Nadowa. The Nadowa lived along the County’s only river and the name of their tribe became associated with the area they inhabited. This name was Anglicized with the coming of English settlers to ‘Nottoway’.
The area was visited by explorers and traders as early as 1650. English settlers began to populate the area in the early 1700’s, bringing with them their traditions and customs. Most of the land was claimed by the mid-1700’s and these early inhabitants operated self-sufficient farms and plantations, taking advantage of the area’s favorable topography and wealth of natural resources. Together with a substantial number of craftsmen and laborers from west Africa and continental Europe, the difficult task of frontier living produced an independent and resourceful population.
Before the County established its own government, it was known as Nottoway Parish, a district of Amelia County. Nottoway Parish became Nottoway County by legislative act in 1788. The County, by virtue of its favorable location, contained numerous early crossroads settlements connecting the new western frontier with the population centers to the north and east. Railroad construction also followed early, first occurring around 1850.
The County was the site of one battle during the War Between the States, the “Battle of the Grove,” which was fought over control of the rail line in Nottoway (a line that served as a major supply line to General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia).
The County’s three towns were incorporated in the late 1800’s, all along what was to become the U.S. Highway 460/Norfolk Southern Railway corridor that bisects the County. Industrialization blossomed at the same time, exploiting the ease of moving raw materials in and finished products out. County manufacturing often utilized the area’s abundant natural resources, particularly agricultural products, timber, and wood products.
The 20th century saw an increase in the diversification of the County in its agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors. This diversification created an economy and community that mirrored its citizen’s attitudes, skills, and talents. During this time, major state and federal facilities were created in the County. Fort Pickett, established at the outbreak of World War II, is noted as one the finest military training facilities in the east.
Today, the county continues to enjoy a healthy diversity of people and economic interests. Small business has thrived, as evidenced by the vitality of its three towns. Nottoway manufacturing facilities produce a wide variety of goods.
The future holds great promise for Nottoway County. Its close proximity to the growing edge of Virginia’s “Golden Crescent” will continue to create great opportunity for its “new settlers.”