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Radford, Virginia

Radford is an independent city in the U.S.
Population 16,070

Top Events in Radford History

1
1854Architecture
The town's population grew rapidly after 1854 when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was built nearby.
2
1870Architecture
The house was built in 1870 in the 19th century Victorian style, specifically Second Empire, and serves as a home for many artifacts concerning the beginnings of Radford.
3
1876History
The house didn't appear on Radford's tax records until 1876, it took a very long time to build a house of its size and grandeur in the 1800s.
4
1891History
The original name for Radford was Lovely Mount because of the location of the depot; the name was changed in 1891 to Radford.
5
1900Economy
From 1900 to 1930, many companies came to Radford, including an ice company, a creamery, milling companies, piping, and preserving plants.
6
1913Government
In 1913, Radford was selected to become home to Radford State Normal School, a women's college.
7
1924Education
The school would later, in 1924, become Radford College and then in 1979 would be renamed Radford University.
8
1929Infrastructure
It became the city's first public park in 1929, and was narrowly rescued from a highway-bypass plan in 1998 with the formation of a "Pathways for Radford" group seeking city sup...
9
1940Military
In 1940–1941 the US Military decided to build a manufacturing plant for gunpowder and other ammunition needed by the military.
10
1946Infrastructure
== Local sports accomplishments == From 1946 to 1950, Radford hosted its first and only Professional Baseball team, The Radford Rockets, who played as members of the Blue Ridge ...

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Historical Timeline

1854Architecture
The town's population grew rapidly after 1854 when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was built nearby.
1870Architecture
The house was built in 1870 in the 19th century Victorian style, specifically Second Empire, and serves as a home for many artifacts concerning the beginnings of Radford.
1876History
The house didn't appear on Radford's tax records until 1876, it took a very long time to build a house of its size and grandeur in the 1800s.
1891History
The original name for Radford was Lovely Mount because of the location of the depot; the name was changed in 1891 to Radford.
1900Economy
From 1900 to 1930, many companies came to Radford, including an ice company, a creamery, milling companies, piping, and preserving plants.
1913Government
In 1913, Radford was selected to become home to Radford State Normal School, a women's college.
1924Education
The school would later, in 1924, become Radford College and then in 1979 would be renamed Radford University.
1929Infrastructure
It became the city's first public park in 1929, and was narrowly rescued from a highway-bypass plan in 1998 with the formation of a "Pathways for Radford" group seeking city sup...
1940Military
In 1940–1941 the US Military decided to build a manufacturing plant for gunpowder and other ammunition needed by the military.
1946Infrastructure
== Local sports accomplishments == From 1946 to 1950, Radford hosted its first and only Professional Baseball team, The Radford Rockets, who played as members of the Blue Ridge ...
1965Civil Rights
Connelly's Run fed a city swimming pool for 45 years, but the pool was closed and filled-in when faced with the prospect of racial integration in 1965.
1970History
Lineburg is legendary in Virginia for coaching the Radford Bobcats from 1970 to 2006.
1971Infrastructure
The railroad ceased passenger service through Radford in 1971 as personal transportation moved to the fairly new interstate highway system and the airways.
1996History
The house was kept in the family till 1996 when, after being deserted for 30 years, the house was given to the city of Radford.
2000History
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
2002History
Radford's home Arnheim was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
2004History
Bush in 2004, and Donald Trump only lost it by 34 votes in 2024.
2006Sports
He retired from coaching football after the 2006 season with 315 wins.
2007Sports
Nichols is famous in Mountaineer-lore for hitting the game-winning three-point shot that sent the Mountaineers to the NIT Championship game in 2007.
2011Disaster
On October 18, 2011, a sign recognizing the historic flooding was dedicated in Bisset Park near downtown Radford.

Did You Know?

1
Radford is located in the state of Virginia.
2
Radford has a population of 16,070 residents.
3
As of 2020, the population was 16,070 by the United States Census Bureau.

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Famous People from Radford, Virginia

CB
Calvin Benham Baldwin
Politician · Born Aug 19, 1902 · Died May 12, 1975 (age 72)
CG
Charlotte Giesen
Politician · Born Jan 27, 1907 · Died Jan 28, 1995 (age 88)
PG
Pete Giesen
Politician · Born Aug 8, 1932 · Died Apr 2, 2021 (age 88)
WL
Wayne Lineburg
Football Player, Coach · Born Jan 12, 1974 · Age 52
TB
The Gregory Brothers
Musical Comedy Quartet
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