Ivor, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Ivor is an incorporated town
in Southampton County
, Virginia
, United States
. The population was 320 at the 2000 census.
(1826–1895), builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad
(now Norfolk Southern), and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone (1837–1911), who had been raised in Smithfield
, traveled along the newly completed Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad naming stations. Otelia was reading Ivanhoe a book written by Sir Walter Scott
. From his historical Scottish novels, Otelia chose the place names of Windsor
, Waverly
and Wakefield
.
Otelia Mahone is said to have tapped the Scottish Clan "McIvor" for the name of Ivor. Later, when they could not agree, it is said that they became even more creative, and invented a new word in honor of their "dispute", which is how the tiny community of Disputanta
was named. The N&P railroad was completed in 1858.
William Mahone was born in Southampton County, in the tiny community of Monroe, which was located on the Nottoway River
about 8 miles south of present-day Courtland
. He attended Virginia Military Institute
(VMI) and trained as a civil engineer
. After building the N&P railroad, became a Major General
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
, while his wife Otelia served as a nurse in Richmond
. Mahone headed the state's Readjuster Party
after the War and later was elected as a Senator in the United States Congress
. A large portion of U.S. Highway 460 between Petersburg
and Suffolk
is named in honor of William Mahone.
Ivor is the hometown of the famed federal agent, Joseph A. Casey, who made "Burning of the Woolies" a tradition at Virginia Military Institute
. Though somewhat closer to the nearby unincorporated
community of Zuni
, Ivor is also home to Virginia's only naturist
facility, known as White Tail Resort.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 320 people, 135 households, and 100 families residing in the town. The population density
was 293.6 people per square mile (113.4/km²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 139.5 per square mile (53.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 76.25% White, 19.69% African American, 1.25% Native American, and 2.81% from two or more races.
There were 135 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,583, and the median income for a family was $44,688. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,033. About 4.4% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated town
-Canada:Incorporated towns are a form of local government in Canada, which is a responsibility of provincial rather than federal government.-United States:...
in Southampton County
Southampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 320 at the 2000 census.
Overview
Popular legend has it that William MahoneWilliam Mahone
William Mahone was a civil engineer, teacher, soldier, railroad executive, and a member of the Virginia General Assembly and U.S. Congress. Small of stature, he was nicknamed "Little Billy"....
(1826–1895), builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad
Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad
The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad was built between Norfolk and Petersburg, Virginia and was completed by 1858.It played a role on the American Civil War , and became part of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad in 1870. The AM&O became the Norfolk and Western in 1881...
(now Norfolk Southern), and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone (1837–1911), who had been raised in Smithfield
Smithfield, Virginia
Smithfield is a town in Isle of Wight County, in the South Hampton Roads subregion of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia in the United States. The population was 8,089 at the 2010 census....
, traveled along the newly completed Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad naming stations. Otelia was reading Ivanhoe a book written by Sir Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
. From his historical Scottish novels, Otelia chose the place names of Windsor
Windsor, Virginia
Windsor is an incorporated town in Isle of Wight County in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States. It is located near the crossroads of U.S. Route 460 and U.S. Route 258. The population was 916 at the 2000 census...
, Waverly
Waverly, Virginia
Waverly is an incorporated town in Sussex County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,309 at the 2000 census.-History:Popular legend has it that William Mahone , builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad , and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone , traveled along the newly...
and Wakefield
Wakefield, Virginia
Wakefield is an incorporated town in Sussex County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,038 at the 2000 census.Wakefield is famous for being the "Peanut Capital of the World" and the location of the famous , as well as the site of Airfield Conference and 4-H Educational Center...
.
Otelia Mahone is said to have tapped the Scottish Clan "McIvor" for the name of Ivor. Later, when they could not agree, it is said that they became even more creative, and invented a new word in honor of their "dispute", which is how the tiny community of Disputanta
Disputanta, Virginia
Disputanta is an unincorporated community in Prince George County, Virginia, United States in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
was named. The N&P railroad was completed in 1858.
William Mahone was born in Southampton County, in the tiny community of Monroe, which was located on the Nottoway River
Nottoway River
The Nottoway River is in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. It is part of the Chowan River system, which flows into Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.-Cities and towns:Cities and towns along the river include:* Courtland, Virginia...
about 8 miles south of present-day Courtland
Courtland, Virginia
Courtland is an incorporated town in Southampton County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,270 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Southampton County....
. He attended Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
(VMI) and trained as a civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
. After building the N&P railroad, became a Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, while his wife Otelia served as a nurse in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Mahone headed the state's Readjuster Party
Readjuster Party
The Readjuster Party was a political coalition formed in Virginia in the late 1870s during the turbulent period following the American Civil War. Readjusters aspired "to break the power of wealth and established privilege" and to promote public education, a program which attracted biracial support....
after the War and later was elected as a Senator in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. A large portion of U.S. Highway 460 between Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
and Suffolk
Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, United States, and is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,585. Its median household income was $57,546.-History:...
is named in honor of William Mahone.
Ivor is the hometown of the famed federal agent, Joseph A. Casey, who made "Burning of the Woolies" a tradition at Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
. Though somewhat closer to the nearby unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
community of Zuni
Zuni, Virginia
Zuni is an unincorporated community in Isle of Wight County in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States.Zuni is home to a dentist's office, a Ruritan club, a general store, a gas station, and two churches and is served by its own Post Office. The name is properly...
, Ivor is also home to Virginia's only naturist
Naturism
Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
facility, known as White Tail Resort.
Geography
Ivor is located at 36°54′24"N 76°53′52"W (36.906577, -76.897860).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 320 people, 135 households, and 100 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 293.6 people per square mile (113.4/km²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 139.5 per square mile (53.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 76.25% White, 19.69% African American, 1.25% Native American, and 2.81% from two or more races.
There were 135 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,583, and the median income for a family was $44,688. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,033. About 4.4% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.