Staunton history

Foundation and Early Years

The history of Staunton is rooted in the 1730s, when European colonists began to settle the fertile lands of the Shenandoah Valley. Official town planning began in 1747, when landowner William Beverley donated land for the construction of a courthouse. The settlement was named in honour of Lady Rebecca Staunton, the wife of the colonial Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Sir William Gooch.

Key Factors of Establishment

The rapid development of the city from a small settlement into a significant regional centre was driven by a number of strategic advantages:

• Administrative Authority: Staunton became the seat of Augusta County. During the colonial period, this county covered a vast territory stretching west to the Mississippi River, making the city the de facto capital of the northwestern frontier.
• Geography and Logistics: The city was situated at the intersection of important migration routes, including the famous "Great Wagon Road", along which thousands of settlers moved south and west.
• Security: Its favourable location in the valley between mountain ranges provided relative protection and facilitated the development of agriculture.

Early Culture and Economy

The cultural identity of early Staunton was shaped by two main groups of immigrants: the Scots-Irish (Ulster Scots) and the Germans. This blend of cultures defined the city's architectural style and way of life.

The economy was based on farming, grain processing, and trade. Thanks to its status as a transport hub, coaching inns, rest houses, and artisan workshops flourished in Staunton, serving travellers and locals alike. By the time of the American Revolution, the city was already a thriving commercial and political centre of the region.

Major Milestones in the History of Staunton

• 1732: John Lewis and a group of settlers establish the first permanent settlement in the area.
• 1747: Landowner William Beverley draws up the town plan and names it in honour of Lady Rebecca Staunton.
• 1761: The Virginia General Assembly officially approves Staunton's status as a town.
• 1781: The city briefly becomes the state capital when the Virginia legislature evacuates here from Richmond and Charlottesville.
• 1828: The Western State Hospital opens, becoming a vital medical institution for the region.
• 1839: The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is founded, which continues its work to this day.
• 1842: The Augusta Female Seminary opens, now known as Mary Baldwin University.
• 1854: The arrival of the Virginia Central Railroad connects the city to eastern markets and accelerates trade development.
• 1856: Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the future 28th President of the United States, is born in the city.
• 1871: Staunton receives the status of an independent city, administratively separating from Augusta County.
• 1908: The city is the first in the world to implement the "City Manager" (council-manager) form of municipal government.
• 1970s: A large-scale campaign begins to preserve historical heritage and restore the Victorian architecture of the city centre.
• 2001: The Blackfriars Playhouse opens — the world's only recreated replica of Shakespeare's indoor theatre.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

Staunton's transformation from a frontier outpost into a modern cultural centre went through several key stages that defined its unique character:

• Rise as a Transport Hub (1854): The arrival of the Virginia Central Railroad radically changed the city's economy. Staunton transformed from a transit point for horse-drawn transport into a major commercial hub connecting the agricultural valley with eastern ports. This stimulated the construction of warehouses and trading rows, forming the historic district known as The Wharf.
• Development of the Institutional Environment (Mid-19th Century): The opening of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Augusta Female Seminary (now Mary Baldwin University) cemented Staunton's status as an educational centre. These institutions provided the city with economic stability, jobs, and an influx of intellectuals, which significantly raised the cultural level of the local community.
• Urban Governance Reform (1908): Staunton entered the world history of urbanism as the birthplace of the "City Manager" system. By hiring the first professional manager, Charles Ashburner, the city successfully solved infrastructure problems and government inefficiencies. This management model proved its viability and was subsequently adopted in thousands of US cities.
• Heritage Preservation Strategy (1970s): During a period of mass urban modernisation, Staunton chose an alternative path, refusing to demolish old buildings. The creation of the Historic Staunton Foundation allowed for the restoration of the unique Victorian facades of Main Street, which became the foundation for future tourism appeal.
• Theatrical Specialisation (2001 – Present): The opening of the Blackfriars Playhouse (American Shakespeare Center) became a powerful driver of the experience economy. The appearance of the world's only recreated copy of a Shakespearean theatre turned the city into a significant point on the country's cultural map, stimulating the development of the hotel and restaurant business.

Architectural Chronicle of the City

Staunton is deservedly considered one of the finest examples of preserved small-town architecture in America. The city avoided mass building demolition during the "urban renewal" period of the 20th century, making its centre resemble an open-air museum. Here, the strict forms of the early republic harmoniously coexist with the lavish decor of the Victorian era.

Main Styles and Eras

Staunton's architectural landscape was formed over two centuries, reflecting the city's economic upswings:

• Greek Revival (Mid-19th Century): This style, symbolising democratic ideals, is vividly represented in the monumental buildings of educational institutions. A striking example is the Main Building of Mary Baldwin University (1844) with its classical portico and columns.
• Neo-Gothic (Mid to Late 19th Century): A romantic style reaching upwards, reflected in church architecture. Trinity Episcopal Church with its spire and stained glass windows is a dominant feature of the city skyline.
• Italianate (Victorian Era): The most common style of commercial development in the late 19th century. Walking along Beverley Street, one can notice the characteristic tall narrow windows with arches and decorative cornices with brackets adorning shop facades.
• Beaux-Arts and Neoclassicism (Early 20th Century): A period of economic prosperity brought majestic bank buildings and public institutions to the city, inspired by European classics and the French School of Fine Arts.

Influence of Architect T.J. Collins

It is impossible to speak of Staunton's architecture without mentioning T.J. Collins. Arriving in the city in 1891, he designed or remodelled more than 200 buildings. Collins was a master of eclecticism, working freely in styles ranging from Romanesque Revival to Queen Anne style, which gave the city streets a unique diversity and picturesque quality.

Iconic Districts and Buildings

Staunton's urban environment is clearly zoned by historic districts, each possessing its own character:

• Beverley Historic District: The heart of the city and the main commercial corridor. It houses the finest collection of Victorian commercial architecture in Virginia. Brick facades, cast-iron details, and vintage signage create a unique atmosphere.
• The Wharf District: A historic warehouse and transport district that grew around the railway. The buildings here are more utilitarian, massive, and executed in the industrial style of the 19th century, reminiscent of times of rapid trade growth.
• Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library: The building, known as "The Manse", was built in 1846 in the Greek Revival style. It is a strict yet elegant two-storey brick house, demonstrating the lifestyle of a Presbyterian family in the mid-19th century.

Distinguished Figures of Staunton

Staunton has given the world and the country many talented people whose names are forever inscribed in the history of politics, science, art, and education. Here is a list of the most significant figures whose lives and work are inextricably linked with this city.

• Thomas Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
  28th President of the USA, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
  The city's most famous native. Wilson was born in the home of a Presbyterian pastor, which today is a museum and presidential library. He went down in history as the initiator of the creation of the League of Nations and the author of progressive reforms.
• The Statler Brothers (founded in 1955)
  Legendary Country Music Group
  One of the most awarded quartets in the history of country music was founded right here in Staunton. The group, possessing multiple Grammy awards, never forgot their roots, regularly mentioning their hometown in their work and holding charity concerts here.
• Mary Julia Baldwin (1829–1897)
  Educator and Public Figure
  Head of the Augusta Female Seminary during the most difficult years of the Civil War. Thanks to her determination and managerial talent, the educational institution not only survived but flourished. In honour of her merits, the seminary was renamed Mary Baldwin College (now University).
• Francis Collins (born 1950)
  Physician-Geneticist
  A Staunton native who became a world-renowned scientist. Collins led the international Human Genome Project and headed the US National Institutes of Health for a long time. His work has made an invaluable contribution to understanding human genetics.
• Thomas Jasper (T.J.) Collins (1844–1925)
  Architect
  The man who literally built the face of Staunton. Moving here in the late 19th century, he designed over 200 buildings in the city, including churches, banks, and residential houses. It is his eclectic style that makes a walk through the city centre so fascinating for architecture lovers.
• Jedediah Hotchkiss (1828–1899)
  Cartographer and Educator
  Although Hotchkiss was born in New York, he spent most of his life in Staunton, where he founded an academy. He became famous as an outstanding topographer whose detailed maps played an important role in the region's history. After the war, he was actively involved in geology and the popularisation of Virginia's natural resources.