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Nelson County was formed in 1807 from Amherst County, and named in honor of Thomas Nelson, Jr., third governor of Virginia. Originally the home of the Monocan tribe of Native Americans, a settlement along the James River was established by English colonists in the early 1700's.
During the 1930's Earl Hamner, Jr. began writing of his experiences growing up in Nelson County during the Depression. Those writings eventually provided the substance for the The Walton’s TV series. In 1969, Hurricane Camille caused a flood, devastating Nelson County. Since Camille, Nelson County has slowly recovered its land, its infrastructure and the will to grow and prosper again. Events that have aided in this recovery include: the 1972 development of Wintergreen Resort, the restoration in progress at Oak Ridge Estate, development of Walton's Mountain Museum, the resurgence of the apple industry, the maturation of new vineyards, and the steady growth in Nelson County's tourism industry.
The county has a total area of 471 square miles. It is bordered on the east by the James River and on the west by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nelson is home to many wineries, events and festivals throughout the year. (Courtesy of nelsoncounty.com)
