The original inhabitants of the area were Paleo Indians prior to 8,000 B.C. They are believed to have been nomadic hunter-gatherers following animal migrations. Early stone tools have been discovered in various fields within the county. At the time of European contact, Native Americans had territory in the region.
Dinwiddie County was formed May 1, 1752, from Prince George County. The county is named for Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1751 to 1758. The county raised several militia units that would fight in the American Revolution. Our community was the site of the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, the Battle of Five Forks and the Battle of Sutherland's Station during the Appomattox Campaign.
Dinwiddie gets roughly 44 inches of rain per year and 3.2 inches of snowfall. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is approximately 107. On average, there are 206 sunny days per year in our community. The July high is around 88 degrees and January low is 26.9.
Dinwiddie County Public Schools serve approximately 4,600 students each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. Four of the district's schools are located in our community.
We have history, recreation and much more to offer visitors and residents alike.
The Dinwiddie County Courthouse was completed in 1851 and remodeled in 1858. On March 31, 1865, Southern forces at the courthouse temporarily checked Major General Philip H. Sheridan's drive on Petersburg. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and is currently home to the Dinwiddie County Historical Society.
The Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg has become known as one of the top drag-race strips in the nation. Virginia Motorsports Park was built in 1994 to showcase the most exciting motorsports events with the fastest race cars in the world.
VMP-ATV, also in Petersburg, is home to VMP-MX and VMP-BMX. It's open for practice at the motocross track and offers full service concession on all race weekends plus a bathhouse and camping on some practice weekends. Lucky Lake Gem and Mineral Mine of Virginia sits just west of McKenney and was discovered by sheer luck. While creating a lake on the property to honor their mother and father, small rocks and colored stones were found by the owners. After years of research, a major pegmatite was discovered running through the property.
Dinwiddie has history, charm, a growing population and no lack of things to experience. Stop by our United Country Real Estate | Virginia Realty office, and let us share our community with you.