From: Virginina Place Names, Derivations, Historical Uses
by Raus McDill Hanson, Emeritus Professor Geography, Madison College, Harrisonburg, VA. pgs. 25-28.
McClure Press, Verona, Va., Copyright 1969 by Raus McDill Hanson, Library of Congress Catalog
Card Number: 69-20401. McClure Printing Company, Inc. P.O. Box 936, Verona, Virginia 24482.

[NOTE: Pop. and facts pertaining to an area was as they were in 1969]

ALBEMARLE COUNTY
The county was formed in 1744, formally organized February 4, 1745, and named for William Anne Keppel, second Earl of Albemarle, nominal governor-in-chief of the colony seventeen years. Area: 739 sq. mi.; Pop. 30,969; increase in Pop. 1950-60, 16.2%. Over one-half of county forested. Shenandoah national Park and Blue Ridge Parkway, land owned by federal government, include 2.9% of county area. Occupational group rank: manufacturing, trade, agriculture. Farm products rank: livestock, dairy, fruits.

Barracks Road received the name from quarters in 1779 to house 4,00 British and Hessian prisoners. Huts and barracks of the camp were in a wooded area of a high hill known as "The Barracks". Camp broken up November, 1780. It is now a shopping center and has a branch postoffice of Charlottesville.

Batesville, formerly Oliver's Store, in the southeastern part of the county, was named for Mr. Bates who had a blacksmith shop here. Pop. 150; elev. 605.

Boonesville: Pop. 25, elev. 749, is in the extreme northern part of the county.

Boyd Tavern: Pop. 10. On Three Chopt Road was early travelers' stopping place. In stage coach route between Richmond and Charlottesville was Shepherd's Inn. Proprietor of Tavern, Mr. Boyd.

Charlottesville: Rys. C&O, SOU; elev. 480; area 6 sq. mi.; Pop. 36,000; increase in Pop. 1950-60, 13.3%; US Rts. 29, 250. Site patented in 1737 by William Taylor. It was established as a town in 1762, named for Princess Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Sterlitz, young bride of George III. It became the county seat in 1761; courthouse built 1830. In May and June, 1781, it was the temporary seat of Virginia government. It is an independent city; its municipal water supply is from watershed on Moorman's River, treated.

Cismont: Pop. 200; elev. 491; in eastern section of the county. The name in Latin for “on this side of the mountain”. About 1836, Nicholas Meriwether built his home upon top of a hill and gave the name Cismont. In 1890's, the village which had been Bowlesville from blacksmith named Bowles; then Brown's Store; took the name of the nearby manor. Each year, Thanksgiving Day, there is the traditional outdoor ceremony, “Blessing of the Hounds”.

Cobham, in northeastern part of county, was named for village Cobham, in Surrey County, England. pop. 40; elev. 401.

Covesville: Ry SOU; elev. 805; Pop. 150; US Rt. 29; in southwestern part of county. Nearby Cove Presbyterian Church dates to 1769; supposition there is connection in village name.

Crozet was named for Col. Claude Crozet, president VMI, construction engineer of C&O tunnel under Blue Ridge. Name had been Waylands for early owner of large acreages. By C&O; elev. 720; Pop. 900. Drainage area of 436 acres and two springs furnish municipal supply of water; treated.

Earlysville received its name from John Richard Early, early resident of community; in north central part of county. Pop. 40; elev. 646.

Esmont, settlement started about 1905-06, named for nearby house, built before 1850. Elev. 450; Pop. 100, Branch of C&O connects with Nelson and Albemarle Railroad to Schuyler in Nelson County.

Free Union: Pop. 60; elev. 589. It is in the northwestern part of the county; was Nicksville for a Negro blacksmith. A free union church was established there, which gave the present name.

Greenwood was named by Issac (sic) Hardin, 18th century settler; earliest name Greendwood; later became Greenwood. Was Greenwood Depot when applied for postoffice in December 1853. In 1913, became Greenwood. Ry C&O; Pop. 250; elev. 1,080.

Hatton, on the James River in the southeastern corner of county, was Hatton Grange before 1850; it is often known as Mountain View, because of unusual view of Blue Ridge on the west. Ry C&O; Pop. 25; elev. 291.

Heards: pop. 60; elev. 1.061; in southwest portion of county.

Howardsville was laid out on land patented by Allen Howard in 1730; it is in southwestern corner of county on James. Ry C&O; Pop. 50; elev. 400.

Institute of Textile Technology was chartered by textile executives in 1944. It is supported as a co-operative venture by textile mills from Canada to Texas. It is planned for post-graduate only, offering degrees Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy, with a two-fold purpose: research and training for the textile industry.

Ivy derives its name from Ivy Creek, which is referred to in deeds as early as 1750. Along the creek, much kalmia, an evergreen frequently mistaken for ivy, is found. Its early name was Woodville; then Ivy Depot; became Ivy. Ry C&O; elev. 545; Pop. 250.

Keene, in south central part of county, was named for a man who married into Randolph family. Pop. 25; elev. 552.

Keswick, in north central part of county, was doubtless named for the home of poet Southey in Cumberland County, England. Keswick Farm had been called Turkey Hill, probably from a number of wild turkeys there. Railway station was Keswick Station until shortened to Keswick. Ry C&O; elev. 434; Pop. 300.

Mechum River, tributary of Moorman's River, is in southwestern part of county. Land purchase record on mechun's River, 1772.

Miller School, in western part of county, was provided with funds by Samuel Miller and opened in 1878. It was planned to provide occupational training. Pop. 20; elev. 700.

Monticello in Italian meaning “Little Mountain”, was designed and built by Thomas Jefferson, now owned and maintained as a national shrine by Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. The restoration began in the early 1920's. Elev. 867.

Moorman's River: Charles Moorman, Quaker, acquired land 1735. Later in land patent gave the stream it's name. It is a tributary of the Rivanna.

Newcomb Hall (branch postoffice of Charlottesville) on University of Virginia campus, named for John Lloyd Newcomb (1881-1954), president University of Virginia, 1933-1947.

North Garden, in south central part of county, has its name from luxuriant nearby area. Ry SOU; elev. 645; Pop. 200.

Piedmont Fruit Research Laboratory investigates plant diseases and insects attacking fruits.

Sanitarium (State Tuberculosis Hospital); Blue Ridge Sanitarium; has accommodations for 270 patients. Elev. 336.

Scottsville: John Scott was owner of Scott's Ferry and founder of Scottsville. David Scott was owner of land on which first Albemarle courthouse was built; was county seat 1744-1761. Wide view of nearby lowland gave protection from Indian attacks and undesirable persons in earliest days. In 18th century, it was shipping center and manufacturer of flat-bottomed boats. Ry C&O; elev. 275; Pop. of portion in Albemarle County 292. Municipal water from treated supply form James River.

University of Virginia: Pop. 5,300. Thomas Jefferson fought for more than thirty-six years to establish the University of Virginia. With the help of Joseph Cabell, a bill was passed in the General Assembly in 1816 which provided the necessary funds. January 25, 1819, the charter of Central College was converted into that of the University of Virginia; all of the original buildings are classical in design. First session opened March 7, 1825. Honor system was established in 1842. Graduate studies and professional departments are widely recognized.

Whitehall, in the northwestern portion of the county, was an election precinct known as Glenn's Store, William Maupin's Store, Maupin's Tavern, Miller's Store, Shumate's Tavern, until 1835. Then, it was named Whitehall for a White family living in the community. Pop. 55; elev. 722.

Awhile back there was a discussion regarding the location of Frazier's Mountain. I recently purchased a copy of Frederick W. Neve, Mountain Mission Education In Virginia, 1888 - 1948 by Dexter Ralph Davidson Jr. In it the area number of references to Frazier's Mountan, as well as Shifflett Hollow, Bacon Hollow, Mutton Hollow, and Blackwell Hollow. The references to the location of Frazier Mountain and Shifflett's Hollow are:

Around this time, Neve called on Mrs. Warner Wood, a parishioner from St. Paul's. Her husband, who was a cattle farmer, owned a piece of land on top of the Blue Ridge called Simmons Gap where he sent his cattle to graze. Note 26: Bruce McHenry, notes that absentee ownership was common in this part of the Blue Ridge, where “old timers still say that the best bluegrass in the Blue Ridge grew.” (See Deadening Trail, p. 6.) The gap was located near Frazier's Mountain, where Miley Frazier, like some of the other residents of this area, was also a caretaker of cattle. Church records show that Neve baptised Miley Frazier on July 10, 1902, noting: “This old man was in his 90th year. He had been a terror to the whole mountain in years past, having been a terrible fighter. He was once nearly disembowelled in a fight.” (Record of Baptisms, St. Paul's Church, Ivy, Va., July 10, 1902). (Davidson, 69)

Neve decided to ally himself with Mr. Cowling and suggested to him that they might travel together to explore both Simmons Gap and Shifflett Hollow. [summer of 1900] (Davidson, 70)

The drive of 18 miles [from Stanardsville] was made to the head of Shifflett's Hollow, where the road strikes the main Blue Ridge and leads to Simmon's Gap. . . . The route they chose was long, rough, and was a good days journey by horse and buggy. The two men reached the mouth of the hollow around lunch time, and paused to eat. As the valley itself was nine miles long and well inhabited, they were not afraid of losing their way, even though the path was a difficult one; part of the road was the dry bed of a creek. En route they discovered that Simmons Gap was actually located at the end of Shifflett's Hollow, and that they would be able to accomplish both of their objectives with the same trip. (Davidson, 71)

Mr. Cowling was particularly nervous during the trip, having heard terrible tales of the wild inhabitants of Shifflett's Hollow, and expected disaster at every turn. His fears were groundless. Late in the day they arrived at Simmons Gap without any mishap. (Davidson, 71-2)

The distance from Ivy to Simmons Gap was about twenty-five miles, the last few of which had to be done either by foot or on horseback. (Davidson, 74)

During one of his visits to Simmons Gap early in 1901, Neve stayed with the Garrisons. [William Atwell 'Uncle Billie' and America Jane Sullivan Garrison]. From their cabin, he could not help but see a beautiful mountain that rose up from across the valley formed by Shifflett's Hollow. He asked Miss Fitzhugh if she knew any thing about the mountain. She replied that people had told her that although there were several families living there, there was no school or church within miles of the mountain. The local people called it Frazier's Mountain, but Neve had heard that it was once known as Lost Mountain; he preferred that name, feeling it to be appropriate considering the conditions he had heard about there.
Note 2: The mountain is known today as Loft Mountain. (Davidson, 85)

Neve was delighted at this “joyful news” and began looking for an appropriate location for the chapel and mission home. He selected a location where Greene and Albemarle counties meet. From the center of the land, which was owned by Razzie Shiflett, one could see Flat Top Mountain to the North on the other side of Shifflett's Hollow; to the south, across Blackwell's Hollow, there was Rich Mountain Hollow; to the east was County Line Mountain; and to the east rose the Lost Mountain [Frazier's Mtn]. the land was located at the crossing of two major mountain roads; it seemed to be perfect. (Davidson, 104)

From Saint Anne's Preventorium by Sue Jones
Around a turn in the climbing road, there it is, clearly visible though more than a mile distant, the 300 yard-long, grey stone building on Lost, Loft, or Frazier Montain (It “answers” to each or to all three names!). (Davidson, Appendix 1, 452)