Brookneal is an incorporated town in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,090 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Lynchburg metropolitan area.
History
On January 14, 1802, "Brooke Neal" was established by the Commonwealth of Virginia in Chapter 65 of the Acts of Assembly. It was named after John Brooke and his wife, Sarah (née Neal) Brooke, who established a tobacco warehouse which became known as "Brooke's Warehouse". It was located near the boat landing and ferry crossing on the Staunton River.
The "Town of Brookneal" was incorporated and a charter issued in 1908. Brookneal served as the closest center of commerce for portions of Campbell, Charlotte, and Halifax counties. passage was made possible to as far west as Salem in Roanoke County.
Patrick Henry, the first Governor of Virginia after statehood, was an early advocate of the waterway. In 1794 he retired to the nearly 3,000-acre Red Hill Plantation, located near Brookneal in rural Charlotte County. (The plantation is now operated as a historic museum known as the Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial). He established a ferry on the Staunton River to connect Red Hill Plantation with Campbell and Halifax counties on the other side. In 1887 the construction of the Lynchburg and Durham Railroad began at Lynchburg, passing south through Brookneal. Just south of town, the railroad crossed the Staunton River into Halifax County. It was completed in 1892, and almost immediately was leased to the Norfolk and Western Railway, and merged into it in 1896. In 1904, the Tidewater Railway was formed by the industrialist financier Henry Huttleston Rogers, to transport bituminous coal from southern West Virginia to coal piers on the ice-free harbor of Hampton Roads. Planned by William Nelson Page of Campbell County, the right-of-way selected for favorable grades passed along the north bank of the river, crossing the L&D track. In 1907, the Tidewater Railway was combined with the Deepwater Railway (initially a West Virginia short line railroad) to form the new Virginian Railway. By 1908, construction was nearing completion, and the new line officially began service on July 1, 1909. In 1959, the Virginia Railway was merged with the Norfolk and Western. Each later became part of the modern Norfolk Southern system in the early 1980s.
In the late 19th century, Brookneal became the site of textile mills that used the water power of the river. These were important to the Piedmont economy for decades. The town of Brookneal suffered a series of disasters in 1912, culminating in a fire that destroyed much of the town. When residents rebuilt, they constructed substantial brick houses to replace many of the old wooden structures. Soon, the small town resumed its growth.
Brookneal has suffered an economic downturn due largely to the dissolution of the Virginia Tobacco Co-Op, which made tobacco warehouses defunct, and the late-20th century decline of the American textile industry, which resulted in the closing of the Dan River mill in Brookneal. The Dan River textile mill employed nearly 400 workers.
Along with Red Hill, the Brookneal Historic District, Cat Rock Sluice of the Roanoke Navigation, Staunton Hill, and Westview are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Brookneal is located at (37.052001, -78.944958).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.31%, is water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 1,090 people residing in the town. There were 526 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 62.3% White, 32.2% African American or Black, 1.0% American Indian, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,112 people residing in the town. There were 567 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 62.1% White, 36.3% African American or Black, 0.2% American Indian, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.
2000 census
As of the census
Brookneal is part of Virginia's 5th congressional district.
Education
The town is served by Campbell County Public Schools. Public school students residing in Brookneal are zoned to attend Brookneal Elementary School and William Campbell Combined School.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Brookneal has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Notable people
- Patrick Henry, Voice of the American Revolution, one of the Founding Fathers, Governor of Virginia
- Charlie Pick, Major League Baseball infielder
- Lewis A. Pick, Lieutenant General and Chief of Engineers, United States Army
- Dagen McDowell, Business correspondent, Fox News
- Buddy Booker, Major League Baseball catcher