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Afton, Virginia

Coordinates: 38°01′56″N 78°50′21″W / 38.03222°N 78.83917°W / 38.03222; -78.83917
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Afton, Virginia
Census-designated place
Amtrak's Cardinal passes through Afton in 2009. No trains stop in Afton.
Amtrak's Cardinal passes through Afton in 2009. No trains stop in Afton.
Location of Afton within Albemarle County
Location of Afton within Albemarle County
Afton, Virginia is located in Virginia
Afton, Virginia
Location of Afton in Virginia
Afton, Virginia is located in the United States
Afton, Virginia
Afton, Virginia (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°01′56″N 78°50′21″W / 38.03222°N 78.83917°W / 38.03222; -78.83917
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountiesAlbemarle, Nelson
Elevation
[1]
1,362 ft (415 m)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
313
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
22920
Area code540
FIPS code51-00484
GNIS feature ID1499043
[2]

Afton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Albemarle and Nelson counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is newly listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 313.[3]

Geography

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It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 20 miles (32 km) west of Charlottesville.[4]

Economy

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Afton is home to Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery, Silverback Distillery, Veritas Vineyard and Winery, the Blue Mountain Brewery and Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery.

Demographics

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Afton first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. Census.[5]

Point of Interest

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Scott Castle - also known as The Royal Orchard, the 25,000-square foot Tudor Gothic-style mansion was built in 1911 by Richmond, Virginia engineer Henry Baskervill and architect John Russell Pope. The Royal Orchard name originated in 1837, when Andrew Stephenson, who was serving as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, introduced a basketful of Newtown Pippin apples that he had grown in his orchard to Queen Victoria, and it quickly became a royal favorite.[6]

In October 1968, the Scott Family held a charity event at their castle by hosting an art auction in order to raise money for the local fire and rescue services. This would be the only time that the home was open to the public. It was reported that an estimated 4,600 visitors and one thousand automobiles appeared around the mansion, oftentimes blocking U. S. Route 250. Since the conclusion of the event, the family closed the property to the public out of request for their privacy.[6]

In 2009, home building company Alexander Nicholson partnered with John Milner Architects to restore the castle.[6]

Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Afton, Virginia. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
  2. ^ "Afton VA". ZIP Code Lookup. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
  3. ^ "Afton CDP, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Gale, Kira (2006). Lewis and Clark Road Trips: Exploring the Trail Across America. River Junction Press. p. 13. ISBN 0-9649315-2-4.
  5. ^ "2020 Geography Changes". United States Census Bureau.
  6. ^ a b c "Royal Orchard". www.alexandernicholson.com. Alexander Nicholson. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Rita Mae Brown says trust yourself first - Daily Press Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  8. ^ Mary Chapin Carpenter's House in Afton, VA (Google Maps) Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  9. ^ Edwards, Greg (October 10, 2005). "Small wineries being squeezed?". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
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