Tazewell has rural living and a small-town community
Like many Appalachian towns, Tazewell was formed around an iron and coal mining industry. Although the community has shrunk since its initial boom, recent efforts to revitalize the downtown area are working to put Tazewell on the map — both as a tourist destination and a quaint spot to live among the mountains of southwest Virginia. The cost of living is low, but the city is large enough to have its own hospital and grocery store. While many people move out here to find privacy, there’s also a strong sense of community for those who seek it out.
“You see a lot of people come to support people," says Emily Combs Davis, the executive director of the Tazewell Today initiative. When the area flooded recently, Davis says that many locals started fundraising and volunteering to help. “Here, you can get involved, and you can feel like what you are doing is making a difference,” she says.
Decades of homes are scattered among farmland
Houses in the Tazewell area might date back to the 1800s or have been built as recently as the 2000s. Ranch-style homes are the most common, though there are some older Victorian details and modern New Traditional designs. Tazewell’s town center has neighborhood-type living, but out in Tazewell County, properties are separated by rolling hills of farmland. Anything outside of town limits is on private septic tanks and well water. Buyers looking to design their own home can also find empty plots of land. The median single-family home price is $180,000. Smaller properties needing renovations start around $50,000, and modern construction with several acres can be purchased for up to $600,000.
Main Street is alive with events and local businesses
The location of Tazewell’s old-school Main Street, which offers sunset views over Deskin Mountain, was infamously decided with a fist fight. According to Davis, many of the town’s residents still have that kind of spark. “I know a lot of people here who are fiercely, fiercely independent,” she says. Ten years ago, Main Street was a pretty desolate place to shop, but the efforts of local organizations like Tazewell Today have seen it bounce back. “Main Street used to be the hub of the community, and it kind of disappeared there for a while,” Davis says. "We are trying to make it the hub again." Today, restaurant options include Bee Noodled, which serves noodle dishes from all over the world, and The Happy Goat, where patrons can browse through hiking gear while they wait for their sandwich.
Tazewell Today keeps downtown busy all year round, with events like Restaurant Week, T-Town Turkey Trot and the Holiday Parade. Main Street Moments, a two-day block party and car show, has been happening for over 30 years. Downtown is also home to the Tazewell County Public Library, which hosts events like the Down on the Farm Party, where kids can look at tractors and try milking a fake cow. “It’s more than just reading,” says library director Erica Galloway. “It’s about those social connections and making people feel like they are a part of the community.”
Swimming, hiking and high-speed driving in the Appalachian Mountains
In addition to Little League ball fields, a YMCA and a private country club, Tazewell’s most popular recreation area is Lincolnshire Park. Lincolnshire costs a few dollars to enter, but has sports courts, an outdoor pool and a lake that is open for swimming and canoeing.
Outside of town, there are all the rural attractions of Virginia’s mountains. Within a few miles, locals can spend the day fishing at Cavitt’s Creek Park or access the Appalachian Trail. Ski resorts and national parks are less than an hour away. Tazewell also marks the end of a section of State Route 16 called the “Back of the Dragon,” popular with motorcyclists and high-speed drivers due to its tight turns and low traffic. Back of the Dragon Brewery is often busy with daredevils who have just completed the twisty mountain route.
Technical courses and football games at Tazewell High
Kids can attend Tazewell Elementary, which gets an A-minus grade from Niche and serves pre-kindergarten through second grade. Third to fifth graders move on to Tazewell Intermediate and then Tazewell Middle. Both schools receive a B-plus grade. Tazewell High is rated B. High school students can take courses at the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center in fields like automotive technology, nursing and criminal justice. And there’s plenty of local support to cheer on the Bulldogs. “People really care about the local football team,” Galloway says. “Everybody listens to the games on the radio.”
Amish offerings in the center of “God’s Thumbprint”
About 15 miles from the heart of Tazewell, Burke’s Garden is another Appalachian community with a significant Amish population. This bowl-shaped imprint has the highest elevation of any Virginia valley, earning it the nickname “God’s Thumbprint.” Locals can visit the thumbprint to access the Appalachian Trail, attend the annual Fall Festival or stop by Burke’s Garden General Store to pick up Amish fudge and fresh-made sandwiches.
Larger hospitals and an airport are miles away
Residents have access to a health center and the Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital. There’s also a shopping center with a Food Lion, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General and ABC Store. However, it’s many miles to reach any other options.
The larger Clinch Valley Medical Center is 20 miles away in Richlands. Bluefield is also 20 miles away, with the nearest Walmart. Bristol is the closest major city, about 70 miles away. The regional Tri-Cities Airport is 20 miles further south than Bristol.
Flooding risks around the Clinch River
Tazewell has experienced significant flooding, particularly around the Clinch River. Some homes in flood zones may require additional insurance. The Tazewell County Flood Recovery Initiative is working to secure funding for flood mitigation and restoration assistance.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
