Bucolic Southwest Virginia community blends college town and rural feel
An idyllic town carved out among the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ferrum is anchored by its Appalachian roots and prides itself on a diverse community centered around Ferrum College. “Ferrum is a mixture of college town with a really rural feel,” says local Realtor Brenda Bratt of Wainwright & Co. Realtors, adding that the town maintains a distinct identity apart from Ferrum College. “Ferrum isn’t a destination, but it has its draws like the college, museum and festivals,” she says, noting that people drive through Ferrum to get to nearby places like Floyd or Smith Mountain Lake. “And while the college is one of the main pulls, most people move to Ferrum because they want to be in the country.” While the town has a smaller footprint than neighboring towns and counties, Ferrum brims with cultural happenings. The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum preserves Appalachian folklore, and the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival has celebrated the region’s traditions for over 50 years. “Overall, the vibe is starting to feel more organic, with flea markets and farmers markets centered around a small-town feel,” Bratt says.
Log cabins and traditional homes on spacious acreage
Ferrum’s rural setting is speckled with residences characterized by a range of vernacular architecture. Bratt says log homes are the most common and most desirable for their larger acreage. Other architectural styles include small cottages, Cape Cods and bi-levels, while more spacious residences feature expansive ranches and farmhouse-inspired builds. Properties tend to have less acreage the closer they are to the downtown area, and lots grow as the town expands outward. “Some people want to be really far out with privacy and more land, while others want to be closer to the town center and college,” Bratt says. Most real estate prices hover between $150,000 and $400,000, though smaller homes and fixer-uppers may list for as little as $92,500 and larger properties can fetch up to $685,000. Prices can go even higher, as multi-million-dollar outliers include established farms and plantations situated on over 100 acres. Parcels of land, ranging from 2 acres to over 200, are also available for purchase.
Education in Franklin County Public School District
Young scholars may start their education within Franklin County Public Schools; Niche gives the district a B-plus-rating. Serving prekindergarten to fifth grade, Ferrum Elementary School is in town and earns a B. Kids may continue to Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Franklin County High School, both of which receive B-plus grades. Home of the Eagles, the high school offers a range of athletic programs and is known for its strong Career and Technical Education program.
Centrally located, Ferrum College remains a significant draw to the town. Rated a C-plus by Niche, the private liberal arts college is known for its small class sizes and emphasis on experiential learning. The school boasts one of the first environmental science programs in the country and offers free tuition to qualifying in-state students.
Philpot Lake is an outdoor recreation destination
The natural surroundings offer abundant recreation for Ferrum residents. Bratt says the nearby Philpot Lake is a major local attraction. “Salthouse Branch is the popular beach for swimming, fishing and loads of watersports,” she says, adding that the lake is peppered with different parks and recreation points. Marinas and boat ramps around the lake offer access for boaters and paddlers to launch their vessels, while lakeside trails offer a scenic view of the water. Bratt says locals also venture to the parks and other outdoor recreation venues in Rocky Mount and along Smith Mountain Lake. Closer to home, Waid Recreation Park offers soccer fields, a disc golf course and a boat ramp that launches into the Pigg River, which flows through Ferrum.
Folklife is celebrated during annual and weekly events
The town fuses its college presence with its community through the Blue Ridge Folklife Fest, a day-long celebration of the region’s deep-rooted traditions. Occurring every October, the fest is hosted by the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum of Ferrum College, which serves as the official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore and features a variety of exhibits and living history events showcasing the area’s heritage. The Folklife Fest consists of live local music and performances, craft and food vendors, an antique tractor show and various contests like mule jumping. Weekly events, including flea markets and farmers markets, keep locals engaged in the community.
Mom-and-pop stalwarts, nearby groceries in Rocky Mount
Though the town center is small, many of the local establishments give Ferrum character. “Ferrum has a small downtown area, but we have a few mom-and-pop shops that have become staples,” Bratt says, adding that Seventy-Seven Restaurant is a community stalwart. “It’s been there forever.” The diner serves American favorites like burgers, hot dogs and subs in an unfussy location off Timber Line Road. Other eateries include Jose’s Mexican Grill and a Dairy Queen. Residents can find necessities at Dollar General, but Bratt says most other shopping and dining requires a trip to nearby Rocky Mount, about 10 miles away, where shoppers will find a Kroger, Food Lion and Walmart.
One road in and out
State Route 40, or Franklin Street, is Ferrum’s main thoroughfare. “There is one road in and one road out,” Bratt says. The route connects residents to Rocky Mount to the east and down to Route 8 in the south, further linking drivers to small-town gems like Floyd and Stuart. Roanoke is about 34 miles from Ferrum, less than an hour away.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
