Philomont, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Philomont is a small unincorporated
rural village in western Loudoun County
, Virginia
. The name is derived from the Greek word philo meaning "beloved" and the French word mont or "mountain"; Philomont means "Beloved Mountain."
and troops from both sides routinely moved through Philomont. The famed Confederate irregulars "Mosby's
Raiders" (also known as Mosby's Rangers
) were active in the area throughout the war. Philomont lies within the Mosby Heritage Area
. Mosby's Rangers never officially surrendered to the victorious Union forces but instead disbanded and thus remain undefeated.
and about five miles south of Purcellville. The greater Philomont area is known for horse farms, large estates, winding gravel roads, rolling hills and stacked stone walls. Philomont lies on the flanks of the relatively small Catoctin Mountain
and to the west of the community lies the Blue Ridge Mountains
. The village boasts an active community center , volunteer fire department and the Philomont Store as well as several bed & breakfast retreats. According to the Journal of the Philomont Historical Association the original Philomont Store opened in 1843 with the name Milhollen Brothers. Today the Philomont Store features a selection of wines, beer, and "pulled pork" sandwiches.
The Philomont area has seen significant development over the past decade. The village is located in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Fortunately, the rural flavor of the area has been largely retained. In fact it is one of only two towns in the Commonwealth which residents must pick up their mail at the General Store. The region is popular with day-trippers from the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area to the east as well as bicyclists and motorcyclists. The village is located along the scenic and historic "Snickersville Pike" a State Scenic Byway. The "Pike" runs for approximately 16 miles from U.S. Route 50
in Aldie
to the village of Bluemont on Blue Ridge Mountain.
The second annual Philomont PHair took place on April 24-25, 2010. The PHair is composed of local artisans, growers, plant vendors and commercial garden-themed retailers selling garden-themed items. Free parking was available at the Philomont Community Center. A delicious lunch was available for a nominal fee of $5.00. The entire community looks forward to the third annual Philomont Phair on April 30, 2011 and invites everyone out for an enjoyable "Day in the Country."
purchased an 1800's horse farm in close proximity to the General Store. Occasional evenings one would find the likes of Willy Nelson and Johnny Cash at Duvall's cabin playing impromptu sessions along with Duvall.
Philomont was the home of the Stephen Roszell family, early converts to the Methodist Faith, as the result of frequent visits from itinerant horseback riding Francis Asbury, co-worker with the Wesley brothers who brought their faith to this country. The Roszell farmhouse "Shelburne" still exists today, on the Snickersville Pike,with its adjoining family cemetery. Also still in regular use and a center of the community is the historic ROSZELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, named in honor of The Rev. Stephen Roszell, one of the early Methodist preachers.
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...
rural village in western Loudoun County
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
, 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...
. The name is derived from the Greek word philo meaning "beloved" and the French word mont or "mountain"; Philomont means "Beloved Mountain."
History
The village was established in the 19th century by Quakers. Minor skirmishes occurred in the area during the Civil WarAmerican 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...
and troops from both sides routinely moved through Philomont. The famed Confederate irregulars "Mosby's
John S. Mosby
John Singleton Mosby , nicknamed the "Gray Ghost", was a Confederate cavalry battalion commander in the American Civil War...
Raiders" (also known as Mosby's Rangers
43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry
The 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, also known as Mosby's Rangers, Mosby's Raiders or Mosby's Men, was a battalion of partisan cavalry in the Confederate army during the American Civil War...
) were active in the area throughout the war. Philomont lies within the Mosby Heritage Area
Mosby Heritage Area Association
The Mosby Heritage Area Association was founded in 1995 in Middleburg, Virginia, as a membership-driven 501 3 nonprofit preservation and historic organization...
. Mosby's Rangers never officially surrendered to the victorious Union forces but instead disbanded and thus remain undefeated.
Geography
Philomont is located in the heart of Virginia's "Hunt Country," just eight miles north of MiddleburgMiddleburg, Virginia
Middleburg is a town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States with a population of approximately 976 as of July 2010.-History:The town was established in 1787 by American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel and Virginia statesman, Levin Powell. He purchased the land for Middleburg at $2.50 per...
and about five miles south of Purcellville. The greater Philomont area is known for horse farms, large estates, winding gravel roads, rolling hills and stacked stone walls. Philomont lies on the flanks of the relatively small Catoctin Mountain
Catoctin Mountain
Catoctin Mountain, along with the geologically associated Bull Run Mountains, comprises the easternmost mountain ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are in turn a part of the Appalachian Mountains range...
and to the west of the community lies the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
. The village boasts an active community center , volunteer fire department and the Philomont Store as well as several bed & breakfast retreats. According to the Journal of the Philomont Historical Association the original Philomont Store opened in 1843 with the name Milhollen Brothers. Today the Philomont Store features a selection of wines, beer, and "pulled pork" sandwiches.
The Philomont area has seen significant development over the past decade. The village is located in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Fortunately, the rural flavor of the area has been largely retained. In fact it is one of only two towns in the Commonwealth which residents must pick up their mail at the General Store. The region is popular with day-trippers from the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area to the east as well as bicyclists and motorcyclists. The village is located along the scenic and historic "Snickersville Pike" a State Scenic Byway. The "Pike" runs for approximately 16 miles from U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50 is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching just over from Ocean City, Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean to West Sacramento, California. Until 1972, when it was replaced by Interstate Highways west of the Sacramento area, it extended to San Francisco, near...
in Aldie
Aldie, Virginia
Aldie is an unincorporated village located on the John Mosby Highway between Gilbert's Corner and Middleburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. It is located in a gap between the Catoctin Mountain and Bull Run Mountain, through which the Little River flows...
to the village of Bluemont on Blue Ridge Mountain.
Annual events
One of the village's seminal annual events is the Fire Department Barbecue held in May. This fundraiser features slow cooked beef with BBQ sauce and all the fixings and sides including a baked potato, coleslaw, salad and green beans.The second annual Philomont PHair took place on April 24-25, 2010. The PHair is composed of local artisans, growers, plant vendors and commercial garden-themed retailers selling garden-themed items. Free parking was available at the Philomont Community Center. A delicious lunch was available for a nominal fee of $5.00. The entire community looks forward to the third annual Philomont Phair on April 30, 2011 and invites everyone out for an enjoyable "Day in the Country."
Notable residents
The town earned a reputation with traditional outdoorsmen and the social elite when actor Robert DuvallRobert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
purchased an 1800's horse farm in close proximity to the General Store. Occasional evenings one would find the likes of Willy Nelson and Johnny Cash at Duvall's cabin playing impromptu sessions along with Duvall.
Philomont was the home of the Stephen Roszell family, early converts to the Methodist Faith, as the result of frequent visits from itinerant horseback riding Francis Asbury, co-worker with the Wesley brothers who brought their faith to this country. The Roszell farmhouse "Shelburne" still exists today, on the Snickersville Pike,with its adjoining family cemetery. Also still in regular use and a center of the community is the historic ROSZELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, named in honor of The Rev. Stephen Roszell, one of the early Methodist preachers.