|
 Wise
County was named in honor of Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia
(1856-1860). With the discovery of coal in 1879, unprecedented growth came
to the county and railroad routes were established to ship coal to its many
market destinations. The Towns of Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Coeburn,
Pound, St. Paul, Wise, and the City of Norton grew up along the rivers and
railroads. The County's heritage spawned hardworking, unique individuals
with a rich cultural heritage.
More than 35,900 acres of the Jefferson National Forest lie in Wise County,
supporting a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities. There are
also many cultural amenities in the county, including festivals, museums and
dramas. In addition, the Pro-Art Association, an affiliate of the Virginia
Museum of Fine Arts, presents musical, theatrical, and artistic programs to its
members, the public and in the schools. Performances have included the
Saint Petersburg Ballet, the National Opera Company, the Roanoke Symphony
Orchestra and the Vienna Choir Boys, among others.
Shopping facilities are available in the form of shopping plazas and each
municipality has a number of specialty shops and locally-owned businesses
including a diverse selection of restaurants.
The climate of Wise County is characterized by relatively warm summers and
mild winters. The average winter temperature is between 26.7 and 46.0
degrees F.
The variety of cultural opportunities, the attractive living-conditions, the
educational opportunities, the beauty of the area, all make Wise County the
"better way" for a rich quality of life.
Need more information? Please contact the Wise County
Chamber of Commerce at wisecountycoc@verizon.net.
|
