Blue Ridge Skyline Parkway Drive

The land upon which the city now stands originally was a wide expanse of meadow land with Chestnut Creek running through the middle. In 1903, James P. Carico recruited some of the era's prominent local citizens as investors in a real estate company. They included Thomas Felts - a state senator, entrepreneur and detective agency head; Captain John B. Waugh - a Civil War veteran and businessman; and Robert E. Jones - another prominent businessman.

The group bought 375 acres of land south of the Blair community and situated right on the Grayson-Carroll county line. By fall, the company had persuaded Norfolk & Western Railroad to extend its line to the new settlement - called Cairo - and build a new depot. Lots went on sale December 17, 1903, with prices ranging from $25 for a side street lot to $250 for a corner lot on Main Street. The town - now called Bonaparte - was laid out in a grid system, with a "Main Street" running east to west where Center Street is today. The street was changed to a north-to-south direction as the town expanded toward North Carolina. To the south, there were several small towns where the main industry was picking and processing Galax leaves. The green leaves, abundant in the area and popular in floral arrangements, were shipped by rail all over the country.

The town changed its name to Galax in 1905 and was granted its town charter by the Virginia General Assembly in 1906. Galax's furniture industry was born at about the same time as the town. Captain Waugh and other investors started the Galax Furniture Company to turn the region's rich timber resources into finished wood products. The factory and other buildings were destroyed by fire in 1914, but the idea of furniture manufacturing didn't die with it. In the following years, a number of other factories were founded, including Vaughan-Bassett in 1919, Vaughan Furniture in 1923 and Webb Furniture in 1924. From the start, other industries sprang up. A mirror silvering company was started in 1927 by John Messer and textile mills were established in the 1920s. The roads were finally paved in 1920, after fire and flood wreaked havoc on the young town. Among the first businesses were Bolen's Drug Store, a land office, R.E. Jones & Son Furniture, Waugh's Department Store, the First National Bank and J.C. Matthews and Company Hardware.

The town's first church was built on the corner of Oldtown and Jefferson streets. It still stands. The first school was set up in the upstairs room of R.E. Jones' store. A new brick schoolhouse was built in 1908 and is now Galax Elementary School. Carico and Felts built a race track, grandstand and exhibit building on 20 acres of land south of town (in the area today called Felts Park) for the first "Great Galax Fair". The park eventually became home to the town's Old Time Fiddlers' Convention, started in 1935 by the Galax Moose Lodge. The event soon moved to Felts Park, where it now attracts several thousand people each August. Galax's water problems were finally resolved in the 1940's after a devastation flood destroyed much of the town. After a request from Glenn Pless, the Army Corps of Engineers straightened the creek and reinforced the banks.

By 1954, Galax qualified for city status. The population has remained steady at around 6,700 since then. The city continued to expand and develop through the 1970's and 80's. A business strip along U.S. 58 between downtown Galax and Hillsville also has prospered, and development has continued recently with several new shopping and retail centers. This prosperity made the city modern and convenient, but the new stores pulled a majority of business away from downtown merchants. Stores closed or relocated to the business strip and shopping centers.

In 1988, a group of merchants formed the Galax Downtown Association, a coalition to help reverse the gradual flow of shoppers from the area. The group lobbied to have the area qualified as a national historic district and applied for a grant to improve streets and store fronts. The mountains, river, music and heritage of the city attract thousands of tourists each year. Galax has struck a balance - the city continues to promote its thriving retail and industrial development while preserving its culture and natural beauty for both residents and visitors.

Information on Events
Contact City of Galax Director of Tourism:
Debbie Robinson -111 E. Grayson Street Galax, VA 24333
(276)238-8130
E-Mail: drobinson@galaxcity.org

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT 01/01/02 - 12/31/02 8 - 10 PM
Live Bluegrass and Oldtime music show at the Historic Rex Theater, Friday nights at 8pm. The show is broadcast live on FM-98.1, featuring local and regional musicians performing on stage. Admission is free...Donations accepted to restore the Historic Rex Theater. For more info contact Tourism Office at (276)238-8130.for schedule check www.rextheatergalax.org

Painting Workshop 9/29-10/4/02
The Arts & Cultural Council of the Twin Counties is sponsoring Painting the Impressionist Landscape workshop September 29-Oct. 4, to be held on the New River Trail State Park in southwest Virginia, to be taught by Lois Griffel. Check out her website at www.LoisGriffel.com.

25th Anniversary of Childrens Dept. at Galax Public Library August 10,2002 12-3pm
Celebrate Reading Across America during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Children's Dept. of The Galax Public Library. All children and parents are invited. Free hotdogs, free t-shirts, and bluegrass music. For more info contact Carlene Poole at (276)236-2351.

Pipers Gap Rescue Squad Rodeo August 23 & 24, 2002
Pipers Gap Rescue Squad Rodeo takes place on the 4th weekend of August in Felts Park. Complete with a parade and rodeo queen. Sponsored by the Pipers Gap Rescue Squad and sanctioned by the Southern Rodel Association. For more info contact Pipers Gap Rescue Squad at (276)236-8001.

67th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention August 5-10, 2002
The 67th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention sponsored by Galax Moose Lodge #733 will be held in Felts Park Monday-Saturday August 5-10, 2002. For More Info Contact (276)236-8541, www.oldfiddlersconvention.com.

Downtown StreetFest August 9 & 10, 2002 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.
Join the Galax Downtown Association for fiddling,food and fun! Grayson Street will be filled with a variety of vendors, musical and dance entertainment on Grayson Street Stage throughout the day Friday and Saturday.

Annual Christmas Parade December 6, 2002 7:00 pm
First Friday of December is the Annual Christmas Parade down Main Street at 7:00 p.m. Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Police Square prior to parade. For entry forms and info call (276)238-8130.

Taradidle Players at The Rex Theatre December 7, 2002 2 shows afternoon & evening
The Tarradiddle Players of Charlotte, NC will perform "Tis the Season" at The Rex Theatre on December 7, 2002. There will be an afternoon and evening show.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES JUNE 1-SEPT.14,2002 7:00 P.M.
THE BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS INAUGURAL 16 WEEK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES TO BE PRESENTED IN THE CENTER'S RECENTLY COMPLETED OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER. August 3 Barr Family and Dismembered Tennesseans.Free Admission.Tickets FOR SPECIAL CONCERTS MAY BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT www.ncta.net SEE COMPLETE SUMMER SCHEDULE AT www.ncta.net. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Christmas Bazaar November 16-17, 2002
The Galax Parks & Recreation Center Christmas Bazaar is the 3rd weekend in November. The event includes local arts, crafts, and gifts. Call for details: (276)236-3218

Fall Foliage Ride on The New River Trail October 19, 2002 10:00 a.m.
Third Saturday in October The City of Galax Tourism Dept. sponsors the Annual Fall Foliage Ride on the New River Trail. Leisurely Bicycle ride from Felts Park on the New River Trail State Park. Registration fee. call (276)238-8130 for more info.

Twin County Regional Healthcare 5k Run October 19, 2002
Third Saturday in October-Annual Twin County Regional Healthcare Autumn Days 5-K run. Felts Park & New River Trail State Park. Registration fee. For mor info: (276)236-3218.

3rd Annual New River Trail Triathlon September 21, 2002
3rd Annual New River Trail Triathlon, Three sport relay competition sponsored by the Virginia Dept. of Recreation & Trail Communities. Registration fee. Call (276)236-8889.

Galax Fall Antique & Classic Car Show September 21, 2002
9th Annual Galax Fall Antique & Classic Car Show-Felts Park, Galax. Several categories. Entry Fee. Info: (276)236-8423.

Lord's Acre Sale September 28, 2002
Lord's Acre Sale is the last Saturday of the month in Felts Park. Area churches come together to sell canned and baked goods, crafts and food. Musical entertainment is also a highlight of the day. For more info call (276)236-3218.