The citizens of Boydton, Virginia, are proud of their small town, and with good reason. Nestled in the center of Mecklenburg County, the picturesque town looks like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. From the courthouse square in the center of the town to one of the largest concentrations of historical landmarks located within 1 square mile that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, Boydton is a mix of business and pleasure, old and new.
Located just two miles from Virginia’s largest lake (Kerr Lake), the town provides access to some of the finest outdoor recreation you’re likely to find anywhere. Most importantly, Boydton has managed to hold onto the easy feel of a small, friendly community. Boydton is centrally located in Mecklenburg County eight miles east of Clarksville, on Highway 58.
Kerr Lake averages over two million visitors a year. It has over 800 miles of shoreline and is one of the largest, most pristine freshwater lakes on the East coast. There are more than 500 camp-sites and over 13 boat-launching pads within 15 miles of Boydton. There are 5 swimming beaches within the same area. The lake is home to largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, the world record blue catfish and the state record for fresh water drum. Kerr Lake is host to a number of professional tournaments throughout the year. The water is good and clear for swimming and boating and is managed by the Corps of Engineers.
EARLY HISTORY
In the first part of the 19th century, a large racetrack located just west of the town attracted horsemen from around the region. The track thrived, but in 1829 the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church announced that it would locate a new college in Boydton, if it could build on the racetrack site. The town agreed, and in 1832 Randolph-Macon College opened in Boydton. By the early 1850s, the Boydton-Petersburg Plank Road provided a link from Boydton to the rest of the world.
Built out of wooden planks, the road was a success, but keeping the wooden road in repair was expensive. After a few years, the owners abandoned the effort and its use gradually decreased.
With the start of the Civil War, Boydton became an important recruitment spot for soldiers from around the county. The old Boyd Tavern, by then a hotel, was used as a recruiting station and several militia units were formed from the county. The Boydton Cavalry became part of J.E.B. Stuart’s famous command.
The war and its aftermath were particularly hard on Randolph-Macon College. Due to low enrollment and a lack of convenient transportation, the college relocated to Ashland, Virginia, where it remains to this day.
Despite the loss of Randolph-Macon, the years after the Civil War were not as hard on Boydton as they might have been elsewhere. After the war, Boydton emerged as a tobacco-growing center with a prizery and several warehouses.
Those businesses, and the town’s status as the county seat, enabled the town to survive and prosper into the next century.
When you arrive: Check out The Historic Boyd Tavern, grab a slice at Rose’s Pizza and stop in to see the friendly girls at the Town Office, who will direct you on the historic walking tour. Before you head out of town, head over to The Copper Kettle to grab some of their famous seafood and a cold brew.