Blackstone's small-town atmosphere and thriving Main Street
The small town of Blackstone sits in Southside Virginia, adjacent to the Virginia National Guard installation at Fort Barfoot. In town, the community offers a quaint Main Street bustling with local businesses, a rarity for the region. “It has shopping, dining, doctor’s offices — that’s what makes it stand out to me,” says Lee Simmons, the principal broker and owner of Lee Simmons Signature Realty, who has worked in the area for over a decade. “Blackstone has that small-town charm and downtown feel, but it still has the amenities that most people want in town.”
Local staples in downtown Blackstone, like Mitchell's Restaurant
Main Street is the primary commercial corridor through Blackstone, and the downtown area was recognized by Main Street America and the Virginia Main Street program. “The storefronts still maintain that all-American look. The streetlights are the older look — there aren’t wires and stuff hanging all over the place,” Simmons says. “The business owners really take a lot of pride in it.” Local staples include the Brew House, known for its burger combos, and diner-style favorites at Mitchell’s Restaurant. A shopping center at the south end of Main Street has a Food Lion and a Walmart Supercenter just around the corner.
20th-century homes within town, and ranch-style outside
Homes in Blackstone can be found in the town center and in the more rural areas surrounding it. Twentieth-century bungalows, ranch-style homes and cottages make up most of the market in town, plus some Victorian-era homes flanking Main Street. “Some of those are really interesting and ornate,” Simmons says. “From the outside, you might not think much of it, but you go inside and think, ‘Wow, this has really been preserved well.’” Fixer-uppers in town often sell between $70,000 and $150,000, while well-maintained homes go from $150,000 to $350,000. Outside of town, ranch-style homes on larger plots of land typically sell for $300,000 to $550,000, depending on lot size.
Accessible to Petersburg, Farmville and Richmond
While the downtown area is relatively walkable, Blackstone residents tend to drive. However, the Blackstone Area Bus System runs a line Monday through Saturday. Fort Barfoot, just east of downtown, is a major employer for the region, and the Centra Southside Medical Center is roughly 30 miles away in Farmville. Blackstone lies just off U.S. Highway 460, putting it roughly 35 miles from Petersburg. Richmond International Airport offers the closest commercial flights, about 60 miles away.
Education in Nottoway County Public Schools
Nottoway County Public Schools serve Blackstone. Students start at Blackstone Primary for kindergarten through fourth grade before heading to Nottoway Intermediate for fifth and sixth grade; both schools receive a C grade from Niche. Nottoway Middle also receives a C. Nottoway High, rated C-plus, offers dual-enrollment courses through Southside Virginia Community College.
Recreation within downtown and fishing south of town
Downtown Blackstone has several parks. Next to the public library, Seay Park has a gazebo and benches, and it occasionally hosts town events. A few blocks away, Blackstone’s youth baseball and softball complex has four ballfields. Toward the southern edge of town, the Barfoot Reservoir Recreation Area has a boat ramp and plenty of room for fishing.
Blackstone hosts Nottoway County events
Blackstone hosts several events for Nottoway County. Every spring, the local chamber of commerce puts on the Arts & Crafts Festival of Blackstone, offering entertainment, local food and art vendors. The Blackstone branch of the Nottoway County Public Library System is also a community gathering place, with events including storytimes and crafting workshops. Holiday celebrations include July Fourth fireworks, generally held at Fort Barfoot.
