Why Gordonsville is known as one of Virginia's best small towns
Gordonsville blends historic charm with small-town convenience, thanks to classic homes and a lively Main Street. Close to Charlottesville but proud of its own identity, the town’s shopping and dining scene is full of local character and community spirit. Distant Blue Ridge views, wine country finds and outdoor escapes complete the picture of Gordonsville's Southern charm.
A guide to Gordonsville’s housing market: history, value and variety
The Gordonsville Historic District features the town’s oldest homes, with several dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. “Many homebuyers are drawn to the historic homes that you have in downtown Gordonsville … It also has brick streets, and it just has this old-time, classic Main Street feel that you simply can't recreate in those new developments,” says Matthias John, a local Realtor with Wiley Real Estate. Surrounding downtown, you’ll find residential streets lined with Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Farther out, the landscape opens up to larger horse and wine country estates, along with some newer construction.
Gordonsville’s median sale price hovers around the low $400,000s, a bit less than in Barboursville and a lot less than in Charlottesville. “It is much more affordable than Charlottesville and Albemarle County, yet it offers a similar cultural and social quality of life at a better price point,” John says. Single-family home prices in Gordonsville range from the high $100,000s to upwards of $2 million. Smaller ranch-style builds tend to be at the lower end of that range, while larger new builds and country retreats make up the top.
Discover public and private school options in the area
The town is part of the Orange County Public Schools district, though some of the surrounding areas to the south are part of the Albemarle County Public Schools district. Within Orange County, students might attend the highly rated Gordon-Barbour Elementary School, Prospect Heights Middle School and Orange County High School. For private education, Woodberry Forest School stands out as a top-rated all-boys boarding high school in the area.
What to expect when commuting to Charlottesville and beyond
Gordonsville is about 20 miles from Charlottesville, making it a convenient home base for commuters working at the University of Virginia or its medical center. Other major employers in the city include Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Army’s National Ground Intelligence Center. You’re also within easy reach of Culpeper and Fredericksburg, though Richmond is a bit farther at 68 miles away. For public transportation, the Town of Orange Trolley runs between Gordonsville and Orange.
Your guide to shopping on Gordonsville’s small-town Main Street
You can walk down Main Street’s red brick sidewalk and pop into antique stores, gift shops, boutiques and other specialty stores. “There's this local atmosphere and an actual sense of community,” John says. Think unique gems like:
- The Laurie Holladay Shop, known for its antique furniture and lamps
- Raindrops in Virginia, a local gift shop with Virginia-made treasures
- Posh, a colorful boutique offering an art-to-wear approach to fashion
- Jackson & Company Market, with sweets, coffee and grab-and-go meals
- Annie Gould Gallery, just one slice of a growing small-town arts scene
The antique hunt stretches beyond Main Street to spots like Old American Barn, The Gallery on 15 and Gordonsville Antiques. Folks also head to Main Street for the seasonal Gordonsville Green Market and for festivities hosted by Gordonsville on Main. For everyday essentials, Food Lion and Family Dollar are right in town.
Explore local eats, wine country favorites and fried chicken fame
Gordonsville has a couple of fast-food chains, but most of the dining scene is centered on local flavors. You’ll find Hawaiian-inspired brews at East of Maui Coffee, southern staples at BBQ Exchange, upscale French cuisine at Près des Prés and country-style classics at Inwood Restaurant. Patch Brewing Co. brings craft beer to the mix, while nearby wine country favorites include Well Hung Vineyard, Honah Lee Vineyard, Keswick Vineyards and Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard.
Fried chicken is also a big part of Gordonsville’s food story. The town picked up the nickname “Fried Chicken Capital of the World” back in the late 1800s, when local African American women started serving crispy chicken to train passengers passing through. Today, you can grab a plate at the Gordonsville Ice House and join the fun at the annual Fried Chicken Festival, where the tradition lives on.
Outdoor escapes: places to play, relax and explore nature
Families head to Verling Park for playground time, tennis, picnics and open space for sports. The park is also home to the Dix Memorial Pool. Cooke Park offers shaded benches and a front-row seat to Main Street’s buzz. Just outside town, you’ll find Spring Creek Golf Club for a round of golf and Preddy Creek Park for mountain biking. Horseback riding is popular in nearby Keswick and at Oakland Heights Farm, which hosts rodeo days from May through September. For a day trip, head to Shenandoah National Park or Lake Anna State Park.
Written By
Sally Stimpson