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Step into history, enjoy nature's tranquility
 Quaint
Villages
Chesterfield has five historic villages that offer great driving
and/or
walking opportunities.
Bon Air, or "good air," was originally settled by Richmond
residents eager to escape the summer heat. Today, it maintains its Victorian
flavor and boasts some of the county's most beautiful and stately old
homes.
Midlothian is a village of "firsts." It was home to
the first coal mines in the United States, successfully mining coal for
commercial purposes in 1709. In 1807, Midlothian Turnpike became the first
paved road
in Virginia. In 1831, the Midlothian to Manchester Railroad
was the first to operate in Virginia. Today, Midlothian still has areas
with "Old World" charm, but also offers extensive 21st Century
shopping, restaurants and well-designed residential areas
Chester once was a booming railroad town. It also has an exciting
Civil War history, and is the gateway to Chesterfield County from the
busy I-95 and Jefferson Davis Highway corridors. Chester continues to
have a "home town" feel that its residents proudly enjoy.
The Ettrick area was inhabited by Native Americans when the English
first explored the Appomattox River in 1608. The area began to develop
around commercial activities such as gristmills in the late 1700s and
early 1800s, and by 1859, Ettrick boasted 830 residents, four grocery
stores, a carpentry shop and three churches. Today, Ettrick is home to
the first fully state-supported institution of higher learning for African-Americans,
Virginia State University.
Matoaca - This village was named for Chief Powhatan's daughter,
who came to be known by her formal name, Pocahontas. During the 19th century,
Matoaca was home to a grist mill and cotton and paper mills. Today, Matoaca
retains its strong agricultural ties.
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