Town of the Week

Buchanan, Virginia
February 10, 2001
(rebroadcast from February 15, 1997)

Head over to Buchanan, Virginia; just listen in.

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The two most prominent mountain ranges in the east nearly collide in western Virginia's Botetourt, County. The Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains are separated only by the James River, which cuts a path between them en route to the Atlantic. The town of Buchanan sits in the middle of this, on the river, its boundaries extending along the base of Cove and Purgatory mountains.

Buchanan is just four miles off the Appalachian Trail, and the town's Main Street is included in the American Bicentennial Bicycle Trail. This is a small, rural village of twelve hundred people, which embarked on a community-wide restoration of its downtown two years ago. In place of forgotten storefronts are architectural showplaces of terne metal ceilings and gleaming hardwood floors housing new businesses.

Agriculture, timber and mining still play vital roles in the town’s economy, along with marketing of the local heritage to tourists. Major events in Buchanan include "Art by the James" in late April, a Fourth of July week carnival, and the Mountain Magic in Fall Bluegrass and Antique Festival--a big hit with the high school Knights. Its the southern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley, and our Town of the Week, Buchanan, Virginia.