About Campbell County, VA

Half way up the driveway leading to the Avoca Estate in Altavista stands ancient black walnut tree that ranks as one of Virginia's most misconstrued Revolutionary War landmarks.

Under this tree in 1780, Col. Charles Lynch, a self-appointed magistrate, administered his "rude justice" upon Tory conspirators and patriot turncoats. The corporal punishment consisted of 39 lashes with a whip or until the malefactors cried the patriots' motto, "Liberty," and pledged their fidelity to the Republic.

From these floggings, "Lynch's Law" was added to the legal vernacular.

Much to the consternation of Lynch's descendants, Lynch Law was erroneously linked by some historians to the modern "lynchings," or vigilante justice by hanging.

That error would later cast an unsavory light on the city, 22 miles to the north, named after Lynch's brother, John Lynch.

Lynchburg business men were so concerned about their city's image during the Civil Right era that the Chamber of Commerce commissioned historian Alfred Perry to set the record straight.

Although local historians have offered various account of what happened under the walnut tree in the summer of 1780, they all agree on one point - a noose never hung from its boughs.

The origin of the Lynch Law, 1780 was a response to a Tory conspiracy to bring Virginia under British rule. (Tories were loyal to the crown.)

With Gen. Cornwallis' troops advancing through the Carolinas to Virginia, Tory loyalists hatched a plan designed to dislodge the patriots from the "old Dominion." The insurrection was to include the capture of a large arsenal at New London and the freeing of 4,000 British and German troops imprisoned at Charlottesville.

Col. Lynch, the commander of the Bedford County militia, along with Cols. James Callaway and William Preston and Capt. Bob Adams, imposed martial law after word of the Tory conspiracy leaked out.

The four set up a court to try suspected conspirators and many of the trials were held under the walnut tree at Lynch's Avoca Estate.

The accused were allowed to call witnesses, and some were acquitted. But those who were found guilty were given 39 lashes - "40 save one" in the biblical tradition - or until they cried "Liberty."

Lynch's efforts were encouraged by Thomas Jefferson who wrote a letter to the colonel that the "most vigorous decisive measures, should be continued for seizing every one on who probable proof of guilt shall appear.

This year marks the 75^th Anniversary of Historic Garden Week in Virginia. Over two hundred homes across Virginia will be opened to the public during this week. I've been attending this event in Lynchburg since I moved to Virginia in 1987 and it's the highlight of my spring!

Sponsored by The Lynchburg Garden Club and Hillside Garden Club, several local homes and gardens are opened to the public and it's a delight to walk through perfectly manicured gardens and beautifully decorated homes. This year, Garden Day in Lynchburg is Tuesday, April 22, 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. The following homes will be on the tour:

4411 BOONSBORO ROAD

1628 LINDEN AVENUE

1013 HARRODS COURT

1450 TRENTS FERRY ROAD

1340 WAKEFIELD ROAD

In addition, the following will be opened at no additional charge: Point of Honor and Sweet Briar House. Also open, Sandusky, The Anne Spencer Garden, Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, The Old City Cemetery, Miller Clayton Gardens.

BOX LUNCHES: Will be available again this year at Oakwood Country Club from 11am-2pm for $10 pre-paid. Advance reservations are required by calling Oakwood (434) 384-8181 ext. 101

TICKETS: Advance tickets $20, day-of-tour tickets $25, single-site admission $8. Full ticket for minors 6-12 years old $10 and $4 for single-site admission. Children 5 and under admitted free of charge. Tickets are available at the Visitors' Information Center, 216 Church St., the pharmacy at Krogers on Boonsboro Road, The Silver Thistle at Boonsboro Shopping Center and The Columns in Forest. The day of the tour, tickets will be available at Headquarters and each home. Advance tickets may be ordered with a credit card at an additional charge by accessing http://www.vagardenweek.org/.

There will be no bus service this year. For more information on ticket sales, parking, etc, contact:

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The Lynchburg Chamber Visitor's Information Center
216 Church St.
Lynchburg, VA 24504
(434) 847-1811

Posted by:

Debbie Malone, Realtor RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502

(434)546-0369 malone1981@aol.com

The Cambpell County Area Rea Estate is very appealing to the Buyer. There are plenty of deals to be made.

From February 1, 2008 to February 29, 2008, there were 29 Single Home Residential Units Sold in Campbell County

The Average home in Campbell County

House prices are down in many parts of the country - in our area we have seen some price reductions as sellers are not getting the prices they were getting a few years ago and the market seems to be adjusting to normal. Our area has seen a consistent increase of 3-4% annually and this seems to be the case now. Price declines that had been confined to the East and West coasts.

218 houses are listed for sale now, and what is out there represents a 7.5-month inventory.

However, are all these statistics as uniformly bad as they are sound?

Not necessarily. Take existing housing sales for one: From all the gloom and doom perpetuated by headlines suggesting that home sales are at their "lowest on record," the fact is that the current rate of resale single-family properties is up from last month in this area.

Now it is not what we saw during the boom years. Nevertheless, it is not chicken feed either. There are a whole lot of houses changing hands, a lot of real estate activity. The market is not dead.

Do not believe everything you read.

What about interest rates? Sure, they jumped by a half a point in recent weeks, but look where they are: 6.27 percent for a 30-year fixed rate loan is lower than it was last year at this time, and by any historical standard, mortgage financing is extremely affordable.

Looking ahead, Freddie Mac chief economist Dr. Frank Nothaft is forecasting a return to even lower rates -- 5.5 percent rates in the months ahead. Combine that with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's promise to keep cutting short term rates -- probably another half point at the Fed's next meeting in two weeks -- and you have the financial fuel for a potential bottoming out and turnaround.

This area's low taxes and stable economy provides excellent job growth and stability, making a home purchase here a wise investment.

January Monthly Market Update

Sales Period: January 2008

Property Type Area Liv Area Units Sold Average List Price Average Sold Price DOM

Single family Lynchburg 1951 50 166,924 161,796 89

Campbell County 1723 26 159,811 152,275 108

Bedford County 2271 36 283,409 272,219 116

Amherst County 1998 21 178,390 173,635 95

Appomattox County 1463 5 154,120 144,500 256

A total of 138 properties sold the month of January 2008. That is down a little from January 2007 when 147 properties sold. And it has taken longer for homes to sell the month of January than in previous months. Once the spring gets here there is a much better opportunity for the activity to increase.