The James Madison Highway - North Carolina to Sprouses Corner
The James Madison Highway - North Carolina to Sprouses Corner
| Clarksville
and Kerr Lake:
The first two features that US 15 passes after entering Virginia from North Carolina are Kerr Lake and the town of Clarksville. The lake, originally named Buggs Island Lake, was created in 1953 when the John H. Kerr Dam was built on the Roanoke River. As a result, Clarksville became a waterfront community on the shores of a 50,000 acre lake. Clarksville boasts itself as "Virginia's Only Lakeside Town." Because of the large lake, Clarksville has become the site of numerous fishing and boating events. The Virginia Lake Festival is held annually in July and attracts close to 50,000 visitors. There are numerous lakefront hotels, cabins, and vacation homes in the Clarksville area. Although a recently opened bypass carries US 58 to the south of town, US 15 still runs through downtown and many of the lakefront hotels. The creation of Kerr Lake resulted in the rerouting of US 15 south of Clarksville. To read more and view the old alignment, go here. |
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| Keysville:
US 15 moved onto a bypass of Keysville in 1966. Along with Route 15, US 360 was also moved onto the new bypass. The James Madison Highway follows US 15 Business through Keysville. At right, US 15 leaves US 360 and the Keysville Bypass. (Photo taken by Doug Kerr). |
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| Farmville:
After leaving Keysville, US 15 continues north seventeen miles to Farmville. Farmville calls itself, "The Heart of Virginia," and every May is host to a festival by the same name. Farmville is also the home to Longwood University which was chartered in 1839. The last major battle in the Virginia Theater of the Civil War was fought nearby at Sayler's Creek. Farmville was also the site of an early turning point of the great Civil Rights struggle on the 1950s and 60s. Barbara John's strike against segregated school began at Robert R. Moton High School on April 23, 1951. This strike would become a key challenge to the Plessy v. Ferguson "Separate but Equal" doctrine. |
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| In 1976, US 15 along with US 460 was moved onto a bypass of Farmville. The bypass runs south of the city and Longwood University. US 15 Business carries the James Madison Highway through downtown Farmville. Exiting the city, US 15 continues north along farmland and the shadows of Willis Mountain (1,129 ft). The photo at right is of US 15 South approaching Sheppards. (Photo taken by webmaster) |  |
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Page Created: October 11, 2005
(C) 2005-06 William Lawson |