Harrisonburg, Virginia Explained

Harrisonburg, Virginia should not be confused with Harrisburg, Virginia.

Harrisonburg, Virginia
Official Name:City of Harrisonburg
Nickname:The Friendly City, Rocktown, H'burg, The Burg, Friendly by Nature
Pushpin Map:USA Virginia#USA
Pushpin Label:Harrisonburg
Pushpin Relief:yes
Image Map1:Harrisonburg-Location.svg
Map Caption1:Location of Harrisonburg in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Coordinates:38.4494°N -78.8689°W
Subdivision Name2:None (Independent city)
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1779
Established Date1:1916
Leader Name:Ande Banks[1]
Leader Name1:Deanna R. Reed (D)[2]
Area Total Sq Mi:17.39
Area Land Sq Mi:17.34
Area Water Sq Mi:0.05
Elevation M:404
Elevation Ft:1325
Population Total:51814
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:22801–22803, 22807
Website:www.harrisonburgva.gov
Leader Title2:City Council[3]
Leader Name3:Tony Wilt (R)
Leader Name4:Mark Obenshain (R)
Timezone:EST
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Blank Info:51-35624[4]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1498489[5]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[6]
Area Total Km2:45.04
Area Land Km2:44.91
Area Water Km2:0.13
Population Density Km2:auto
Mapsize:266px

Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It is also the county seat of the surrounding Rockingham County,[7] although the two are separate jurisdictions. At the 2020 census, the population was 51,814.[8] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Harrisonburg with Rockingham County for statistical purposes into the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 126,562 in 2011.[9]

Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University (JMU), a public research university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students,[10] and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), a private, Mennonite-affiliated liberal arts university. Although the city has no historical association with President James Madison, JMU was nonetheless named in his honor as Madison College in 1938 and renamed as James Madison University in 1977.[11] EMU largely owes its existence to the sizable Mennonite population in the Shenandoah Valley, to which many Pennsylvania Dutch settlers arrived beginning in the mid-18th century in search of rich, unsettled farmland.[12]

The city has become a bastion of ethnic and linguistic diversity in recent years. Over 1,900 refugees have been settled in Harrisonburg since 2002.[13] As of 2014, Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 19% of the city's population.[14] Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS) students speak 55 languages in addition to English, with Spanish, Arabic, and Kurdish being the most common languages spoken.[15] Over one-third of HCPS students are English as a second language (ESL) learners.[16] Language learning software company Rosetta Stone was founded in Harrisonburg in 1992,[17] and the multilingual "Welcome Your Neighbors" yard sign originated in Harrisonburg in 2016.[13]

History

The earliest documented English exploration of the area prior to settlement was the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition, led by Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood, who reached Elkton, and whose rangers continued and in 1716 likely passed through what is now Harrisonburg.

Harrisonburg, previously known as "Rocktown," was named for Thomas Harrison, a son of English settlers.[18] In 1737, Harrison settled in the Shenandoah Valley, eventually laying claim to over 12000acres situated at the intersection of the Spotswood Trail and the main Native American road through the valley.[19]

In 1779, Harrison deeded 2.5acres of his land to the "public good" for the construction of a courthouse. In 1780, Harrison deeded an additional 50acres.[20] This is the area now known as "Historic Downtown Harrisonburg."

In 1849, trustees chartered a mayor–council form of government, although Harrisonburg was not officially incorporated as an independent city until 1916. Today, a council–manager government administers Harrisonburg.[21]

On June 6, 1862, an American Civil War skirmish took place at Good's Farm, Chestnut Ridge near Harrisonburg between the forces of the Union and the forces of the Confederacy at which the C.S. Army Colonel, Turner Ashby (1828–1862), was killed.

The city has expanded in size over the years.[22]

On October 17, 2020, the city was the scene of a massive explosion and fire at a small shopping center at Miller Circle in the South Main St. area.

Newtown

When the slaves of the Shenandoah Valley were freed in 1865, they set up near modern-day Harrisonburg a town called Newtown.[23] This settlement was eventually annexed by the independent city of Harrisonburg some years later, probably around 1892. Today, the old city of Newtown is in the Northeast section of Harrisonburg and which is referred to as Downtown Harrisonburg.[24] It remains the home of the majority of Harrisonburg's predominantly black churches, such as the First Baptist and Bethel AME. The modern Boys and Girls Club of Harrisonburg is located in the old Lucy Simms schoolhouse used for the black students in the days of segregation.[25]

Project R4 and R16

A large portion of this black neighborhood was dismantled in the 1960s when – in the name of urban renewal – the city government used federal redevelopment funds from the Housing Act of 1949 to force black families out of their homes and then bulldozed the neighborhood. This effort, called "Project R-4", focused on the city blocks east of Main, north of Gay, west of Broad, and south of Johnson. This area makes up 32.5 acres. "Project R-16" is a smaller tag on project which focused on the 7.5 acres south of Gay street.[26] [27] [28]

According to Bob Sullivan, an intern working in the city planner's office in 1958, the city planner at the time, David Clark had to convince the city council that Harrisonburg even had slums. Newtown, a low socioeconomic status housing area, was declared a slum. Federal law mandated that the city needed to have a referendum on the issue before R4 could begin. The vote was close with 1,024 votes in favor and 978 against R4. Following the vote, the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority was established in 1955 to carry out the project. All of the members were white men. The project began and, due to eminent domain, the government could force the people of Newtown to sell their homes.[29] They were offered rock bottom prices for their homes. Many people couldn't afford a new home and had to move into public housing projects and become dependent on the government. Other families left Harrisonburg. It is estimated between 93 and 200 families were displaced.[30]

In addition to families, many of the businesses of Newtown that were bought out could not afford to reestablish themselves. Locals say many prominent black businesses like the Colonnade which served as a pool hall, dance hall, community center, and tearoom were unable to reopen.[31] Kline's, a white-owned business, was actually one of the few businesses in the area that was able to reopen. The city later made $500,000 selling the seized property to redevelopers. Before the project, the area brought in $7000 in taxes annually. By 1976, The areas redeveloped in R4 and R16 were bringing in $45,000 in annual taxes. These profit gains led Lauren McKinney to regard the project as “one of only two ‘profitable’ redevelopment schemes in the state of Virginia.”

Cultural landmarks were also influenced by the projects. Although later rebuilt, The Old First Baptist Church of Harrisonburg was demolished.[32] Newtown Cemetery, a Historic African American Cemetery, was also impacted. It appears no Burials were destroyed, however, the western boundary was paved over and several headstones now touch the street.[33]

Infrastructure

Major highways in Harrisonburg include Interstate 81, the main north–south highway in western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Other significant roads serving the city include U.S. Route 11, U.S. Route 33, Virginia State Route 42, Virginia State Route 253 and Virginia State Route 280.

In early 2002, the Harrisonburg community discussed the possibility of creating a pedestrian mall downtown. Public meetings were held to discuss the merits and drawbacks of pursuing such a plan. Ultimately, the community decided to keep its Main Street open to traffic. From these discussions, however, a strong voice emerged from the community in support of downtown revitalization.

On July 1, 2003, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance[34] was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of rejuvenating the downtown district.[35]

In 2004, downtown was designated as the Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated Virginia Main Street Community,[36] with the neighboring Old Town Historic District residential community gaining historic district status in 2007. Several vacant buildings have been renovated and repurposed for new uses, such as the Hardesty-Higgins House and City Exchange, used for the Harrisonburg Tourist Center and high-end loft apartments, respectively.

In 2008, downtown Harrisonburg spent over $1 million in cosmetic and sidewalk infrastructure improvements (also called streetscaping and wayfinding projects). The City Council appropriated $500,000 for custom street signs to be used as "wayfinding signs" directing visitors to areas of interest around the city. Another $500,000 were used to upgrade street lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping along Main Street and Court Square.[37]

In 2014, Downtown Harrisonburg was named a Great American Main Street by the National Main Street Association and downtown was designated the first culinary district in the commonwealth of Virginia.

Norfolk Southern also owns a small railyard in Harrisonburg. The Chesapeake and Western corridor from Elkton to Harrisonburg has very high volumes of grain and ethanol.The railroad serves two major grain elevators inside the city limits. In May 2017 Norfolk Southern 51T derailed in Harrisonburg spilling corn into Blacks Run. No one was injured.

Shenandoah Valley Railroad interchanges with the NS on south side of Harrisonburg and with CSX and Buckingham Branch Railroad in North Staunton.

Harrisonburg Transit provides public transportation in Harrisonburg. Virginia Breeze provides intercity bus service between Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, and Washington, D.C.[38]

Culture

Harrisonburg has won several awards[39] in recent years, including "#6 Favorite Town in America" by Travel + Leisure in 2016,[40] the "#15 Best City to Raise an Outdoor Kid" by Backpacker in 2009,[41] and the "#3 Happiest Mountain Town" by Blue Ridge Country Magazine in 2016.[42]

Harrisonburg holds the title of "Virginia's first Culinary District" (awarded in 2014).[43] The "Taste of Downtown" (TOD) week-long event takes place annually to showcase local breweries and restaurants.[44] Often referred to as "Restaurant Week," the TOD event offers a chance for culinary businesses in downtown Harrisonburg to create specials, collaborations, and try out new menus.[45]

The creative class of Harrisonburg has grown alongside the revitalization of the downtown district. The designation of "first Arts & Cultural District in Virginia" was awarded to Downtown Harrisonburg in 2001.[46] Contributing to Harrisonburg's cultural capital are a collection of education and art centers, residencies, studios, and artist-facilitated businesses, programs, and collectives.

Some of these programs include:

Historic sites

The Harrison House (formerly the Thomas Harrison House)

The modern city of Harrisonburg grew up around this modest stone house, which until recently was thought to have been erected for Thomas Harrison ca. 1750. But new research and a dendrochronology study completed by James Madison University in 2018 has determined that it was built ca. 1790; Harrison died in 1785. Harrison laid out the town that was to bear his name on fifty acres of his holdings and was also instrumental in having Harrisonburg established as the Rockingham County seat in 1780. Prior to confirmation of the date of construction, it was believed that the first courts were held in this building, which is also associated with Bishop Francis Asbury, a pioneer leader of the Methodist Episcopal church, who often visited Harrison and conducted some of the county's first Methodist services. While the original Thomas Harrison house no longer exists, this building remains an early example of stone vernacular architecture in the Shenandoah Valley, and a contributing building in the Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District. Its window architraves are cut from solid walnut timbers. This house remained in the Harrison family until 1870, which is probably why it was long-thought to have been Thomas Harrison's.[54] [55]

Hardesty-Higgins House

Home to Harrisonburg's first mayor Isaac Hardesty, the house bears his name and the name of the physician, Henry Higgins, who began construction in 1848. Isaac Hardesty was born in 1795 and became the city's first Mayor by charter on March 16, 1849, incorporating the town of Harrisonburg. Hardesty completed construction of the home by 1853 and lived in the house with his wife, Ann, and two children. He was a successful business man, apothecary, and merchant, and he served on the board of directors of the Valley Turnpike Company.[56]

Isaac Hardesty supported the Union and moved from Harrisonburg during the early part of the Civil War. The Strayer sisters occupied the house and, during their stay, the sisters hosted Union General Nathaniel Banks. The house served as an inn after the war and was home to the Virginia Craftsman, makers of handcrafted furniture, from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District

The approximately 100 acre Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District[57] embraces the historic commercial and institutional core of the city. The principal axis of the district is Main Street, which runs approximately north–south through the district. Another principal thoroughfare is Liberty Street, which parallels Main Street. The principal cross axis is Market Street (US Highway 33), which intersects with Main Street on the east side of Court Square.[58] The Romanesque Revival/Renaissance Revival 1896-97 Rockingham County Courthouse commands the square, and surrounding blocks arc densely developed with early twentieth century high-rise bank buildings and other commercial buildings from the 1870s through the 1950s. Most residential buildings dates to after the Civil War, when South Main Street developed as Harrisonburg's elite residential avenue. Notable houses from the period include Victorian/Queen Anne masterpieces such as Ute 1890 Joshua Wilton House and rarities such as the late 1880s Octagon House. Several fine Gothic Revival churches date to the early years of the twentieth century. Industrial buildings and warehouses date largely to the first half of the twentieth century and include the 1908 City Produce Exchange, a poultry shipping plant, and the late 1920s Maphis Chapman Co. gas storage tank factory. A complex of mid-twentieth century cinder block warehouses clusters near the 1913 Chesapeake Western Railway Station and the 1920-21 Rockingham Milling Co. roller mill on Chesapeake Avenue. Alter World War I automobile dealerships appeared in the downtown area. An outstanding example is the 1920 Rockingham Motor Co., an inspired Tudor Revival/Art Deco design. Architectural modernism achieved popularity in the 1940s and early 1950s at the end of the period of significance. Harrisonburg's downtown experienced a number of losses during the late twentieth century, but the recent rehabilitation of several key buildings demonstrates a growing commitment to the preservation of the district's historic character.

Other sites

In addition to the Thomas Harrison House, Hardesty-Higgins House, Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District, and Old Town Historic District, the Anthony Hockman House, Rockingham County Courthouse, Lucy F. Simms School, Whitesel Brothers, and Joshua Wilton House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.4sqmi, of which 17.3sqmi is land and 0.1sqmi (0.3%) is water.[59] The City of Harrisonburg comprises six watersheds, with Blacks Run being the primary watershed with 8.67 miles of stream and a drainage area of over 9000 acres. The city also drains into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Harrisonburg is in the western part of the Shenandoah Valley, a portion of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province.[60] Generally, the area is a rolling upland with local relief between 100 and 300 feet.

Demographics

2020 census

Harrisonburg city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop 2010[61] !Pop 2020[62] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)35,39131,45472.35%60.71%
Black or African American alone (NH)2,9113,9065.95%7.54%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)67710.14%0.14%
Asian alone (NH)1,7052,0893.49%4.03%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)54200.11%0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH)1121960.23%0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)1,0092,0332.06%3.92%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)7,66512,04515.67%23.25%
Total48,91451,814100.00%100.00%

2010 census

As of the census[63] of 2010, 48,914 people, 15,988 households, and 7,515 families resided in the city. The population density was 2811.1/mi2. The 15,988 housing units averaged 918.9/mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 78.4% White, 6.4% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 15.7% of the population, up from 8.85% according to the census of 2000.

Of the 15,988 households, 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.0% were not families. About 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59, and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was distributed as 15.0% under the age of 18, 48.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,850, and for a family was $53,642. The per capita income for the city was $16,992. About 11.5% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.6% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Like most of the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg was among the first areas of Virginia where old-line Southern Democrats began splitting their tickets. The city went Republican at every presidential election from 1944 to 2004. In 2008, however, Barack Obama carried the city by a margin of 16 percent—slightly larger than the 14-point margin by which George W. Bush carried it four years earlier. The city has voted Democratic in every presidential election since then, and has become one of the few Democratic mainstays in this more conservative part of Virginia. In most elections, it is one of the few areas west of Charlottesville carried by Democrats.

Government

Head of the City Government in the 20th Century
City ManagerMayorVice-Mayor
TermNameTermNamePartyTermNameParty
Sep 1946–

Aug 1948[64]

Bernard Denton
Sep 1948–Aug 1950Lawrence Loewner
Sep 1950–Aug 1952
Sep 1952–

Aug 1954

Sep 1954–Aug 1956Walter GreenSep 1954–Aug 1956[65] Dan L. LoganR
Sep 1956–

Aug 1958

Frank C. SwitzerSep 1956–Aug 1958
Sep 1958–

Aug 1960

Sep 1958–Aug 1960
Sep 1960–

Aug 1962

Sep 1960–Aug 1962
Sep 1962–Aug 1964Sep 1962–Aug 1964[66]
Sep 1964–Aug 1966
Sep 1966–Aug 1968Jun 1966[67] Joseph MintzerD
Sep 1968–Aug 1970Roy HjalmarEricksonRSep 1968–Aug 1970Royal Kincheloe
1969–1974Marvin B. Milam
Sep 1970–Aug 1972Sep 1970–Aug 1972Edgar Warren Denton Jr.
Sep 1974–Aug 1976Sep 1974–Aug 1976[68] Sep 1974–Aug 1976
Sep 1976–Aug 1978[69] Sep 1976–Aug 1978Sep 1976–Aug 1978
Sep 1978–Aug 1980[70] Sep 1978–Aug 1980Sep 1978–Aug 1980Walter Franklin Green III.
Sep 1980–Aug 1982[71] Sep 1980–Aug 1982[72] Sep 1980–Aug 1982
Sep 1982–Jun 1984Sep 1982–Jun 1983Sep 1982–Jun 1983
Jul 1983–Jun 1984[73] Walter Franklin Green III.Jul 1983–Jun 1984Raymond C. Dingledine Jr.
Jul 1984–

Jun 1986[74]

Jul 1984–Jun 1986Jul 1984–Jun 1986
Jul 1986–Jun 1988[75] Jul 1986–Jun 1988Jul 1986–Jun 1988
Jul 1988–Jun 1990[76] Jul 1988–Jun 1990Jul 1988–Jun 1990
Jul 1990[77] –Sep 1991Jul 1990–Jun 1992Jul 1990–Jun 1992Elon W. Rhodes
Oct 1991–Oct 1992Roger D. Baker (acting)
Jul 1992–Jun 1994[78] C. Robert HeathJul 1992–Jun 1994John N. Neff
Nov 1992–Jun 1994Steven E. Stewart
Jul 1994[79] –1997Jul 1994–Jun 1996John N. NeffJul 1994–Jun 1996Emily R. Dingledine
Jul 1996–Jun 1998[80] Rodney L. EagleIJul 1996–Jun 1998Hugh. J. LantzR
1997–Sep 2000
Jul 1998–Jun 2000[81] Jul 1998–Jun 2000
City ManagerMayorVice-Mayor
TermNameTermNamePartyTermNameParty
1997–Sep 2000Steven E. StewartJul 1998–Jun 2000Rodney L. EagleIJul 1998–Jun 2000Hugh. J. LantzR
Jul 2000–Jun 2002[82] Carolyn W. FrankIJul 2000–Jun 2002Dorn W. Peterson
Sep 2000–Jun 2004[83] Roger Baker
Jul 2002–Jun 2004[84] Joseph Gus FitzgeraldDJul 2002–Jun 2004Larry M. RogersD
Jul 2004–Jun 2007[85] [86] Jul 2004–Jun 2006Larry M. RogersDJul 2004–Jun 2006Rodney L. EagleI
Jul 2006–Dec 2008[87] Rodney L. EagleIJul 2006–Dec 2008George W. Pace
Jul 2007–Dec 2010[88] Kurt D. Hodgen
Jan 2009–Dec 2010[89] Kai DegnerDJan 2009–Dec 2010Richard A. BaughD
Jan 2011–Oct 31, 2017[90] Jan 2011–2012Richard A. BaughDJan 2011–2012Ted ByrdR
Jan 2013–Dec 2014[91] Ted ByrdRJan 2013–Dec 2014Charles R. ChenaultI
Jan 2015–Dec 2016[92] Christopher B. JonesDJan 2015–Dec 2016Richard BaughD
Jan 3, 2017–Jan 1, 2019 [93] Deanna R. ReedDJan 3, 2017–Jan 1, 2019 [94]
Nov 1, 2017–Jan 15 2018[95] Ande Banks (acting)
Jan 16, 2018–Dec 31 2021[96] Eric Campbell
Jan 2, 2019–Jan 3, 2021[97] Jan 2, 2019–Jan 3, 2021Sal RomeroD
Jan 4, 2021–Jan 2, 2023[98] Jan 4, 2021–Jan 2, 2023
Jan 01, 2022–Jan 02, 2023Ande Banks (acting)
Jan 03, 2023–incumbent[99] Ande BanksJan 3, 2023–incumbentJan 3, 2023–incumbentLaura DentD

Education

School systems

Serving about 4,400 students (K–12), Harrisonburg City Public Schools comprises six elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Eastern Mennonite School, a private school, serves grades K–12 with an enrollment of about 386 students.[100]

Higher education

High schools

Middle schools

Elementary schools

Other schools

Technical schools

Private schools

Points of interest

Events

Sports

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. Harrisonburg has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps according to the Köppen climate classification, but has four clearly defined seasons that vary significantly, if not having brief changes from summer to winter.[104] The USDA hardiness zone is 6b, which means average minimum winter temperature of -5F0F.

Notable people

Born

Raised

Resident

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harrisonburg, VA . 2022-01-14 . City Manager search moves forward with selection of firm . 2022-04-03 . City of Harrisonburg Press Release.
  2. Web site: Mayor Deanna R. Reed. December 27, 2016. City of Harrisonburg, VA.
  3. Web site: City Council | City of Harrisonburg, VA . Harrisonburgva.gov . 2017-08-24 . 2017-09-30.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  5. Web site: [{{gnis3|1498489}} Harrisonburg – Populated Place ]. . . May 8, 2008 .
  6. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. August 7, 2020.
  7. Web site: Find a County . National Association of Counties . 2011-06-07.
  8. Web site: Harrisonburg city, Harrisonburg city, Virginia. United States Census Bureau. January 30, 2022.
  9. Web site: Table 1. Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 . . 2011 Population Estimates . United States Census Bureau, Population Division . April 20, 2009 . June 4, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120427231227/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2011/tables/CBSA-EST2011-01.csv . April 27, 2012 . mdy-all .
  10. Web site: JMU Facts & Figures . 2015-09-15 . James Madison University.
  11. Web site: JMU Historical Timeline . 2006-12-05. JMU Centennial Office.
  12. Web site: Schum . Guy . The Plain People . Virginialiving.com . 2012-02-14 . 2017-09-30.
  13. Web site: Where Did Those 'We're Glad You're Our Neighbor' Signs Come From? . WAMU.org . 2017-09-30.
  14. Web site: USA . Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends . Pewhispanic.org . 2000-04-01 . 2017-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175927/http://www.pewhispanic.org/states/county/51660/ . September 30, 2017 . dead .
  15. Web site: ESL Students in HCPS . Harrisonburg.k12.va.us . 2017-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170601151047/http://www.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/Instruction/English-as-a-Second-Language . June 1, 2017 . dead . mdy-all .
  16. Web site: Harrisonburg City Schools - English as a Second Language . Harrisonburg.k12.va.us . 2017-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170601151047/http://www.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/Instruction/English-as-a-Second-Language . June 1, 2017 . dead . mdy-all .
  17. Web site: Rosetta Stone History . Rosettastone.com . 2017-09-30.
  18. Harrison, J. Houston (1935). Settlers by the Long Grey Trail J.K. Ruebush. p 214-249
  19. Julian Smith, 2007, Moon Virginia p. 246
  20. Web site: A Brief History of Harrisonburg . Harrisonburgva.gov . 2017-09-30.
  21. Web site: Government Structure of Harrisonburg . Harrisonburgva.gov . 2016-04-08 . 2017-09-30.
  22. Web site: Historic Growth Map. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/sites/default/files/CommunityDevelopment/files/Engineering/maps/other/03-05-14%20historic%20growth%2011X17.pdf . 2022-10-09 . live.
  23. [Stephens City, Virginia]
  24. Web site: The Legacy of Harrisonburg's 'Urban Renewal'. Hagi. Randi B.. www.wmra.org. February 11, 2020 . en. 2020-04-29.
  25. Web site: Welcome [landing page] ]. Celebrating Simms: The story of the Lucy F. Simms School . James Madison University & the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Center in association with Billo Harper . 29 January 2019.
  26. Web site: The Role of Race and Money in Harrisonburg's 'Urban Renewal'. Hagi. Randi B.. www.wmra.org. February 12, 2020 . en. 2020-04-29.
  27. Web site: projects r-4 and r-16. Shenandoah Living Archive Prototype. en-US. 2020-04-29. June 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200614190634/https://sites.jmu.edu/shenandoahlivingarchive/projects-r4-and-r16-2/. dead.
  28. Web site: Harrisonburg's Urban Renewal Projects, R4 & R16. Learn Share Illuminate. en. 2020-04-29.
  29. "A Guide to the Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority Photographs, 1960-1987: SC 0235," Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority Photographs, 1960-1987, SC 0235, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=jmu/vihart00185.xml
  30. Web site: Remembering Project R4 . Eightyone.info . 2017-09-30 . January 16, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090116062156/http://www.eightyone.info/online/?p=411 . dead .
  31. Web site: Mapping African American Life in Harrisonburg. public.imaginingamerica.org. 2020-04-29.
  32. Web site: First Baptist History. firstbaptisthbgva.org. 2020-04-29.
  33. Web site: Newtown Cemetery National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/115-5129_NewtownCemetery_2014_NRHP_FINAL.pdf . 2022-10-09 . live. December 20, 2014.
  34. Web site: Home. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.
  35. News: Downtown. Bolsinger. Andrew Scot. October 28, 2002. Daily News-Record. Harrisonburg, VA . July 3, 2009.
  36. Web site: Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District. Virginia Main Street Community: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary. National Park Service. July 3, 2009.
  37. News: Harrisonburg Streetscape. Creswell. Kelly. Aug 14, 2007. WHSV TV 3. Gray Television, Inc.. July 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716051358/http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/9163361.html. July 16, 2011. dead.
  38. Web site: The Virginia Breeze: Bus from Blacksburg to Washington, DC. The Virginia Breeze: Bus from Blacksburg to Washington, DC DRPT. 2020-01-20.
  39. News: Awards and Recognitions. 2013-07-10. City of Harrisonburg, VA. 2016-10-27.
  40. News: America's Favorite Towns. Travel + Leisure. 2016-10-27.
  41. News: The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor Kid: The Winning 25 - Page 3 of 6 - Backpacker. 2009-07-01. Backpacker. en-US. 2016-10-27. October 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161028021357/http://www.backpacker.com/trips/washington/the-best-cities-to-raise-an-outdoor-kid-the-winning-25/3/#harrisonburg=&bp=0/img1. dead.
  42. News: The Top 61 Happiest Mountain Towns in the Blue Ridge. BlueRidgeCountry.com. 2016-10-27.
  43. Web site: Hellman . Reed . 'Farm to table' means just that in Virginia's first Culinary District . Recreation News . 29 January 2019 . 14 August 2017.
  44. Web site: Annual Events . Downtown Harrisonburg . Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance . 29 January 2019.
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