SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2007 SESSION

076448736
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 370
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 9, 2007
Commending the Town of Altavista on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
----------
Patrons-- Hawkins; Delegate: Byron
----------

WHEREAS, the 100th anniversary of Altavista, which means high view, will be celebrated in September 2007; and

WHEREAS, the planning and development of the Town of Altavista grew out of a contract awarded to the Lane Brothers Company in 1905 for the construction of 32 miles of the Virginian Railway through Campbell, Pittsylvania, and Bedford counties; and

WHEREAS, the Lane Brothers Company decided to build a community where the future Virginian Railway and the Southern Railway would cross, and the first permanent residents of Altavista came to the developing town on September 9, 1907; and

WHEREAS, 1907 is considered the town’s official birthday because in just over one year Altavista had nearly 2,000 residents and by 1910 there was a need for an Altavista Fire Department, which was organized by 12 citizen volunteers to protect the growing village from fire; and

WHEREAS, by 1912 Altavista was incorporated, which was the same year John F. Lane purchased a former box company building to establish Lane Furniture Company, the maker of the famous Lane cedar chests; and in 1913 a town police department and new jail were constructed for the community; and

WHEREAS, the Vista Theatre opened its doors in 1936; and First Saturday, a traditional town festival held annually on the first weekend in June, was originally founded as “Uncle Billy’s Day” by William G. “Uncle Billy” Lane, Sr.,  in 1949; and

WHEREAS, the scenic Staunton River was used as the town’s primary water source through the 1920s; and the McInnis Spring water project was completed in 1950, with the Reynolds Spring project completed in 1954; and

WHEREAS, industries that have made Altavista their home throughout the years include the Lane Furniture Company, Burlington Industries, Abbott Laboratories, Schrader-Bridgeport, and Yeatts Transfer Company; and

WHEREAS, with village charm, Altavista has a welcoming downtown with gazebos and tree-lined streets, but also claims the Avoca Museum, a modern library and civic center buildings, an outstanding YMCA and award-winning daycare facilities, and 61 acres of public parks within the town's limits; and

WHEREAS, the dynamic mission of today’s Altavista proclaims the town to be a “progressive community of excellence, second to none, committed to providing the best place to live, work, worship, and grow”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Town of Altavista on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mayor J. R. “Rudy” Burgess on behalf of the residents of Altavista as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of its rich history and culture and best wishes for a festive centennial celebration.