The land that makes up the Albemarle County Virginia area was originally a part of northern Goochland County. In 1744, due to the increasing population in Goochland County, the Virginia General Assembly first established Albemarle County, and so the very first Albemarle County houses for sale were made available.
Albemarle County Virginia was named in recognition of Willem Anne van Keppel who served as the 2nd Earl of Albemarle. At the time, Willem Anne van Keppel was also the titular Governor of Virginia. In 1761, further divisions to the land were made when portions of Albemarle County were divided into Buckingham and Amherst counties. At the same time that these new counties were established, the county seat for Albemarle County was moved from Scottsville to the city Of Charlottesville.
There are many reasons why residents choose to purchase Albemarle County houses for sale. Nature, culture, history and education blend together in Albemarle County and provide all residents and visitors with a plethora of opportunities to enhance everyday life.
Albemarle County Virginia has long been noted as one of the best locations in the United States to live in and raise a family. Providing a family friendly atmosphere has always been a major emphasis for Albemarle County government as evidenced by the prestigious University of Virginia which is located in the city Of Charlottesville.
The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson back in 1819. Jefferson’s vision was to offer a liberal alternative to the already established universities of the day. From the moment that the university opened, Jefferson insisted on offering courses in fields such as Astronomy, Architecture, Botany, Philosophy, and Political Science, which had never been taught in the United States until the University of Virginia opened its doors. Jefferson’s belief that religious doctrine should not be coupled with higher education led to an even more controversial decision. He decided to not even offer courses on Theology and in place of the standard church, which usually accompanied universities of the day, Jefferson built a library.
Along with all of the other courses offered, the University of Virginia now offers one of the highest-rated Religious Studies programs in the Country. Regardless, there is no doubt that modern education owes a great deal to Thomas Jefferson’s controversial vision of the way that education should be taught. Albemarle County Virginia students who attend the University of Virginia have the unique experience of being taught in the very institution that originally provided the model that nearly every educational program embraces today.
Of course there is more to life than having the finest education available. For nature lovers, the best reason to purchase Albemarle County houses for sale is the Shenandoah National Park. The Park comprises a total of 196,466.19 acres of land, 79,579 of those acres are designated wilderness area. The Shenandoah National Park offers more than 500 miles worth of trails that can be used for a variety of different outdoor recreational purposes; walking, biking and horseback riding being among the most popular. Those that choose to take on the challenge can climb Old Rag Mountain in order to witness some of the most beautiful and striking views in all of Virginia.
In addition to the spectacular views and beautiful foliage, the Shenandoah National Park is also the location for numerous waterfalls, and provides a home for more than fifty species of mammals. Due to the amount of land and diverse environmental conditions, the Shenandoah National Park provides a haven to many different forms of life including endangered species of animals, insects and plants. These include the Shenandoah Salamander, a globally rare species that is currently only on record as being found in a few locations of the Shenandoah National Park.
For those who are more interested in history than nature, Albemarle County houses for sale should still be on the top of the list. For decades Albemarle County has attracted both residents and visitors alike through the impressive history that the area offers. In fact, the promotion of Albemarle County’s historic value began back in the Great Depression, which is a testament to just how far back the history of Albemarle County Virginia dates.
Arguably the most famous monument in Albemarle County is Monticello, the former residence of Thomas Jefferson. As the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson should need no introduction. Jefferson’s original draft for the Declaration of Independence was changed, first with minor edits by James Monroe, then enhanced by Benjamin Franklin and later modified by congress. Once completed, Thomas Jefferson, along with Benjamin Franklin and James Monroe, were among the 56 individuals to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. While serving as President, Jefferson orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, which significantly extended the boundaries of the United States and set the age of Manifest Destiny in motion.
As one of the undisputed founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson had a passion for many things that extended beyond politics. In fact, when Thomas Jefferson died in 1826, he requested that his grave only mention his association as the author of the Declaration of Independence and Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and his position as father of the University of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson’s love of architecture may even parallel his passion for education. One need only see Albemarle County’s Monticello to understand why this argument could be made. In fact, Jefferson was known to refer to Monticello as his “essay in architecture”.
Jefferson began the first phase of the construction of Monticello in 1769 and moved into Monticello in 1770 when the South Pavilion was first completed. The original design of Monticello was completed in 1784. 15 years later, in 1796, a brand new design had been developed and the upper story of Monticello was demolished in order to begin extensive expansion and remodeling of the entire house. The completion of the second design was finished in 1809.
After Thomas Jefferson’s death, his daughter was forced to sell Monticello due to debt. It wasn’t until 1923 that Monticello was sold to its current owner, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Today Monticello serves as a museum rather than a home, offering all those who come to visit a chance to see and connect with a relic from our founding father’s history.
Oddly enough, Thomas Jefferson was not the only early president to reside in Albemarle County Virginia. James Monroe, who served as the fifth president of the United States lived at Ash Lawn, now another house museum open to the public and located in Albemarle County.
Whether you are a history buff or family home body, interested in state of the art education or just looking for a nature getaway, Albemarle County Virginia can provide you with the lifestyle you are looking for. Browse Albemarle County houses for sale today
