1912 street scene, showing L.O. Haden's general store
Before being named "Palmyra", the area was owned by the Timberlake family, and Reverend Walker Timberlake started a business there in 1814 called "Palmyra Mills".[5]
The village of Palmyra was founded and became the county seat of Fluvanna County in 1828, and its historic courthouse was built in 1830-1831.[6] By 1835, there were fourteen homes, a church, three factories, and various other businesses, though only two families owned all the land other than the public buildings.[5] In the mid-19th century, it was a stop along the stagecoach route between Richmond and Staunton.[7] The Virginia Air Line Railway, which operated from 1908 to 1975, ran through Palmyra.
The train traveled from Strathmore on the James River, to Cohasset, to Carysbrook, to Palmyra, to Troy, and on to Gordonsville or Charlottesville.
A fire in 1930 destroyed many of the buildings on Main Street. As a result of the Great Depression, a smaller version of Palmyra was rebuilt after the fire.[5]
Geography
Palmyra is in central Fluvanna County, on a hillside rising to the northeast above the Rivanna River. U.S. Route 15 passes through the community, crossing the Rivanna at the south end of town. US 15 leads north 20 miles (32 km) to Gordonsville and south 51 miles (82 km) to Farmville. Virginia State Route 53 intersects US 15 just south of the Rivanna River and leads northwest 20 miles (32 km) to Charlottesville.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Palmyra CDP has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.7 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 0.70%, is water.[8]
Climate
Palmyra's climate is characterized by a notable change in seasons and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa"(Humid Subtropical Climate).[9]
