Virginia: Individual County and Independent City
Chronologies
Virginia Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
John H. Long, Editor; Peggy Tuck Sinko, Historical
Compiler; Gordon DenBoer, Historical Compiler; Laura Rico-Beck, GIS Specialist and Digital Compiler; Peter
Siczewicz, ArcIMS Interactive Map Designer; Emily Kelley, Research Associate;
Robert Will, Cartographic Associate.
Copyright The Newberry Library 2003
ACCOMACK (original; see NORTHAMPTON)
31 Dec 1663 [1663] ACCOMACK created from NORTHAMPTON. (Robinson, 42, 73)
03 Mar 1879 ACCOMACK gained a small portion of the southern end of Smith's Island from SOMERSET (Md.) when the United States approved the Maryland-Virginia boundary down the south side of the Potomac River and across Chesapeake Bay, as settled in 1877 by arbitration [not mapped]. (Paullin, 85; Van Zandt, 87)
31 Dec 1744 ALBEMARLE created from GOOCHLAND. (Hening, 5:266-269)
01 Jan 1755 ALBEMARLE lost to BEDFORD. (Hening, 6:441-442)
01 May 1761 ALBEMARLE gained from LOUISA, lost to creation of AMHERST and BUCKINGHAM. (Hening, 7:419-423)
31 Jan 1770 Islands in the Fluvanna [James] River were assigned to ALBEMARLE [location unknown, not mapped]. (Hening, 8:395-398)
01 Jul 1777 ALBEMARLE lost to creation of FLUVANNA. (Hening, 9:325-327)
10 Jul 1902 ALBEMARLE lost to creation of Charlottesville as an independent city, 2d class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Aug 1916 ALBEMARLE lost to the independent city of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Dodson, Cities, "Charlottesville")
01 Jan 1939 ALBEMARLE lost to the independent city of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1963 ALBEMARLE lost to the independent city of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1968 ALBEMARLE lost small area to the independent city of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989)
09 Feb 1988 ALBEMARLE lost small area to the independent city of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
ALEXANDRIA (see ARLINGTON)
10 Jul 1902 Alexandria made an independent city, 1st class, from ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON). (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Apr 1915 Independent city of Alexandria gained small areas from ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON) and FAIRFAX. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
01 Jan 1930 Independent city of Alexandria gained from ARLINGTON and FAIRFAX. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1952 Independent city of Alexandria gained from FAIRFAX. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [245])
31 Dec 1973 [1973] Independent city of Alexandria gained small area from FAIRFAX. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
05 Jan 1822 ALLEGHANY created from BATH, BOTETOURT, and MONROE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1821-1822, ch. 28, sec. 1/pp. 28-30)
17 Feb 1823 ALLEGHANY lost to BATH. (Va. Acts 1822-1823, ch. 65, sec. 1/p. 88)
11 Jan 1843 ALLEGHANY gained from MONROE (W. Va.) [change too small to map]. (Va. Acts 1842-1843, ch. 56, sec. 1/pp. 40-41)
13 Mar 1847 ALLEGHANY gained from BATH. (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 59, sec. 2/pp. 57-58)
20 Feb 1856 ALLEGHANY lost small area to CRAIG to accommodate local landowner [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1855-1856, ch. 111, sec. 1/p. 97)
15 Jun 1906 ALLEGHANY lost to creation of Clifton Forge as an independent city, 2d class. (Dodson, Cities, "Clifton Forge")
20 Dec 1952 ALLEGHANY lost to creation of Covington as an independent city, 2d class. (Virginia Commission on Local Government, correspondence, February 1990)
24 Apr 1959 Boundary between ALLEGHANY and MONROE (W. Va.) redefined and clarified [no change]. (Va. Acts 1959, ext. sess., ch. 44, secs. 1-2/pp. 122-123)
01 Jan 1963 ALLEGHANY lost to the independent city of Clifton Forge. Clifton Forge reverted to town status on 1 July 2001. (Clifton Forge City Manager's Office, correspondence, April 1994; Bain, Annexation, [247])
31 Dec 1990 ALLEGHANY lost to the independent city of Covington. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
20 Mar 1991 Legislature authorized the consolidation of ALLEGHANY and the independent city of Clifton Forge into a new independent city of Alleghany; change did not take effect. (Va. Acts 1991, ch. 401/pp. 600-609)
25 Mar 1735 AMELIA created from BRUNSWICK and PRINCE GEORGE. (Hening, 4:467-468)
01 Jan 1754 AMELIA lost to creation of PRINCE EDWARD. (Hening, 6:379-380)
01 May 1789 AMELIA lost to creation of NOTTOWAY. (Hening, 12:723-724)
01 May 1761 AMHERST created from ALBEMARLE. (Hening, 7:419-423)
31 Jan 1770 Islands in the Fluvanna [James] River were assigned to AMHERST [location unknown, not mapped]. (Hening, 8:395-398)
01 Jun 1808 AMHERST lost to creation of NELSON. (Shepherd, 3:378-379)
01 May 1845 APPOMATTOX created from BUCKINGHAM, CAMPBELL, CHARLOTTE, and PRINCE EDWARD. (Va. Acts 1844-1845, ch. 41, secs. 1, 16/pp. 38-42)
28 Mar 1848 APPOMATTOX gained from CAMPBELL. (Va. Acts 1847-1848, ch. 61, sec. 1/pp. 41-42)
21 Mar 1860 APPOMATTOX lost small area to BUCKINGHAM to accommodate local landowner [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1859-1860, ch. 62, sec. 1/p. 171)
07 Sep 1846 The District of Columbia ceded ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON) to Virginia [see 20 March 1847] . (U.S. Stat., vol. 9, ch. 35[1846]/pp. 35-37 and appendix 3/p. 1000)
20 Mar 1847 Virginia officially extended its jurisdiction over ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON), which had been ceded to Virginia by the District of Columbia on 7 September 1846. Despite disputes over details of the D.C.-Virginia line in the Potomac River, there has been no mappable change in the boundary with the District to present. (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 53/pp. 41-48)
10 Jul 1902 ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON) lost to creation of Alexandria as an independent city, 1st class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Apr 1915 ALEXANDRIA (now ARLINGTON) lost small area to the independent city of Alexandria. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
16 Mar 1920 ALEXANDRIA renamed ARLINGTON. (Va. Acts 1920, Jan. reg. sess., ch. 241, sec. 1/p. 343)
01 Jan 1930 ARLINGTON lost to the independent city of Alexandria. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243])
15 Dec 1738 AUGUSTA created from ORANGE; AUGUSTA not fully organized, attached to ORANGE. (Hening, 5:78-80; Robinson, 43)
31 Dec 1745 [1745] AUGUSTA fully organized, detached from ORANGE. (Robinson, 74)
01 May 1754 AUGUSTA lost to FREDERICK, and lost to creation of HAMPSHIRE (W. Va.). (Hening, 6:376-379)
31 Jan 1770 AUGUSTA lost to creation of BOTETOURT. (Hening, 8:395-398)
11 Oct 1773 AUGUSTA lost to creation of West Augusta District (extinct) in present Pennsylvania. (Abernethy, 94)
01 Mar 1778 AUGUSTA lost to creation of ROCKBRIDGE and ROCKINGHAM, and lost to HAMPSHIRE (W. Va.). (Hening, 9:420-424)
31 May 1779 [May 1779] AUGUSTA lost to MONONGALIA (W. Va.). (Hening, 10:114)
31 Oct 1780 [October 1780] AUGUSTA lost to MONONGALIA (W. Va.). (Hening, 10:351)
01 May 1788 AUGUSTA lost to creation of PENDLETON (W. Va.). (Hening, 12:637-638)
01 May 1791 AUGUSTA lost to PENDLETON (W. Va.) and lost to creation of BATH. (Hening, 13:165-167)
10 Jul 1902 AUGUSTA lost to creation of Staunton as an independent city, 2d class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
19 May 1905 AUGUSTA lost to the independent city of Staunton. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Staunton Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989)
15 Jan 1937 AUGUSTA lost small area to the independent city of Staunton. (Staunton Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1948 AUGUSTA lost to creation of Waynesboro as an independent city, 2d class, and lost to the independent city of Staunton. (Waynesboro Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, "Body Incorporate," 63-64; Bain, Annexation, [244])
01 Jan 1955 AUGUSTA lost to the independent city of Waynesboro. (Augusta County Law Order Book, vol. 33: 357-361; Waynesboro Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [245])
01 Jan 1956 AUGUSTA lost small area to the independent city of Staunton. (Staunton Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [246])
01 Jan 1957 AUGUSTA lost to the independent city of Waynesboro. (Augusta County Law Order Book, vol. 34: 170-176; Waynesboro Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [246])
31 Dec 1985 AUGUSTA lost to the independent city of Waynesboro. (Waynesboro Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
31 Dec 1986 AUGUSTA lost small area to the independent city of Staunton. (Staunton Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 Jul 1994 AUGUSTA lost to the independent city of Waynesboro. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
03 Mar 1843 BARBOUR (W. Va.) created by Virginia from HARRISON (W. Va.), LEWIS (W. Va.), and RANDOLPH (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1842-1843, ch. 53, sec. 1/pp. 37-40)
19 Jan 1844 BARBOUR (W. Va.) lost to creation of TAYLOR (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1843-1844, ch. 44, sec. 1/pp. 34-37)
26 Mar 1851 BARBOUR (W. Va.) lost to creation of UPSHUR (W. Va.). (Robinson, 88; Va. Acts 1850-1851, ch. 26, sec. 1/pp. 23-25)
20 Jun 1863 BARBOUR separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
01 May 1791 BATH created from AUGUSTA, BOTETOURT, and GREENBRIER (W. Va.). (Hening, 13:165-167)
03 Dec 1796 BATH lost to PENDLETON (W. Va.). (Shepherd, 2:53)
21 Dec 1821 BATH lost to creation of POCAHONTAS (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1821-1822, ch. 27, sec. 1/pp. 27-28)
05 Jan 1822 BATH lost to creation of ALLEGHANY. (Va. Acts 1821-1822, ch. 28, sec. 1/pp. 28-30)
17 Feb 1823 BATH gained from ALLEGHANY. (Va. Acts 1822-1823, ch. 65, sec. 1/p. 88)
13 Mar 1847 BATH lost to ALLEGHANY. (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 59, sec. 2/pp. 57-58)
01 May 1847 BATH lost to creation of HIGHLAND. (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 56, secs. 1, 13/pp. 52-55)
10 May 1754 BEDFORD created from LUNENBURG. (Hening, 6:381-383)
01 Jan 1755 BEDFORD gained from ALBEMARLE and LUNENBURG. (Hening, 6:441-442)
01 Feb 1782 BEDFORD lost to creation of CAMPBELL. (Hening, 10:447-449)
01 Jan 1786 BEDFORD lost to creation of FRANKLIN. (Hening, 12:70-71)
01 Jan 1958 BEDFORD lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989 and August 1992; Bain, Annexation, [246])
01 Jan 1964 BEDFORD lost small area to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [247])
01 Sep 1968 BEDFORD lost to creation of Bedford as an independent city, 2d class. (Bedford Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
31 Dec 1975 BEDFORD lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 Jul 1993 BEDFORD lost to the independent city of Bedford. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
01 Sep 1968 Bedford made an independent city, 2d class, from BEDFORD. (Bedford Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
01 Jul 1993 Independent city of Bedford gained from BEDFORD. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
15 May 1772 BERKELEY (W. Va.) created by Virginia from FREDERICK. (Hening, 8:597-599)
26 Oct 1801 BERKELEY (W. Va.) lost to creation of JEFFERSON (W. Va.). (Shepherd, 2:271-272)
09 Feb 1820 BERKELEY (W. Va.) lost to creation of MORGAN (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1819-1820, ch. 34, sec. 1/pp. 27-28)
05 Aug 1863 BERKELEY separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (U.S. Rpts., 78:39 [Wallace, vol. 11]; U.S. Stat., vol. 14, res. 12[1866]/ p. 350; W. Va. Acts 1863, 1st sess., ch. 35, sec. 1/pp. 33-35)
30 Mar 1861 BLAND created from GILES, TAZEWELL, and WYTHE. (Va. Acts 1861, Jan. reg. sess., ch. 23, sec. 1/pp. 45-49)
01 Apr 1892 [April 1892] Boundary between BLAND and GILES redefined [no discernible change]. (Va. Acts 1899-1900, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 617/pp. 665-666)
05 Mar 1900 BLAND gained from GILES. (Va. Acts 1899-1900, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 617, sec. 1/pp. 665-666)
11 Mar 1847 BOONE (W. Va.) created by Virginia from CABELL (W. Va.), KANAWHA (W. Va.), and LOGAN (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 55, sec. 1/pp. 49-52)
20 Jun 1863 BOONE separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
31 Jan 1770 BOTETOURT created from AUGUSTA. (Hening, 8:395-398)
01 Dec 1772 BOTETOURT lost to creation of FINCASTLE (extinct). (Hening, 8:600-601)
01 Mar 1778 BOTETOURT lost to creation of GREENBRIER (W. Va.) and ROCKBRIDGE. (Hening, 9:420-424)
31 Oct 1785 [October 1785] BOTETOURT gained from ROCKBRIDGE. (Hening, 12:74)
01 May 1790 BOTETOURT lost to MONTGOMERY. (Hening, 13:76-78)
01 May 1791 BOTETOURT lost to creation of BATH. (Hening, 13:165-167)
14 Dec 1795 BOTETOURT exchanged with MONTGOMERY. (Shepherd, 1:406)
07 Dec 1796 BOTETOURT exchanged with MONTGOMERY. (Shepherd, 2:64)
02 Jan 1802 BOTETOURT lost to MONROE (W. Va.). (Shepherd, 2:345-346)
05 Jan 1822 BOTETOURT lost to creation of ALLEGHANY and lost small area to MONROE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1821-1822, ch. 28, sec. 1/pp. 28-30)
01 May 1838 BOTETOURT lost to creation of ROANOKE. (Va. Acts 1838, ch. 60, secs. 1, 15/pp. 54-57)
21 Mar 1851 BOTETOURT lost to creation of CRAIG. (Va. Acts 1850-1851, ch. 25, sec. 1/pp. 21-23)
01 Apr 1888 BOTETOURT lost to ROCKBRIDGE. (Va. Acts 1887-1888, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 488, secs. 1, 5/pp. 556-557)
01 May 1786 BOURBON (Ky.) created by Virginia from FAYETTE (Ky.). (Hening, 12:89-91)
01 May 1789 BOURBON (Ky.) lost to creation of MASON (Ky.). (Hening, 12:658-659)
01 Jun 1792 The state of Kentucky was created from Kentucky District of Virginia and admitted to the Union; BOURBON became a county in Kentucky. (Hening, 11:85; U.S. Stat., vol. 1, ch. 4 [1791]/p. 189)
15 Jan 1836 BRAXTON (W. Va.) created by Virginia from KANAWHA (W. Va.), LEWIS (W. Va.), NICHOLAS (W. Va.), and RANDOLPH (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 18, sec. 1/pp. 18-20)
16 Mar 1849 BRAXTON (W. Va.) gained from RANDOLPH (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1848-1849, ch. 64, sec. 1/p. 30)
29 Mar 1858 BRAXTON (W. Va.) lost to creation of CLAY (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1857-1858, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 158, sec. 1/pp. 111-113; W. Va. Acts 1863, ch. 64, sec. 1/p. 61)
10 Jan 1860 BRAXTON (W. Va.) lost to creation of WEBSTER (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1859-1860, ch. 47, sec. 1/pp. 151-157)
20 Jun 1863 BRAXTON separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
10 Jul 1902 Bristol made an independent city, 2d class, from WASHINGTON. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
15 Oct 1942 Independent city of Bristol gained from WASHINGTON; Bristol's status changed from 2d class to 1st class. (Bristol Community Development and Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Dodson, Cities, "Bristol")
31 Dec 1973 Independent city of Bristol gained from WASHINGTON. (Bristol Community Development and Planning Dept., email, February 2003)
01 May 1797 BROOKE (W. Va.) created by Virginia from OHIO (W. Va.). (Shepherd, 2:54-55)
01 Jan 1820 Ohio River and its islands, previously unassigned to particular counties, were declared to be part of the adjacent Virginia counties, including BROOKE (W. Va.) [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1819-1820, ch. 74, sec. 1/p. 66)
15 Jan 1848 BROOKE (W. Va.) lost to creation of HANCOCK (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1847-1848, ch. 58, sec. 1/pp. 30-34)
20 Jun 1863 BROOKE separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
17 Dec 1720 BRUNSWICK created from PRINCE GEORGE; BRUNSWICK not fully organized, attached to PRINCE GEORGE. (Hening, 4:77-79; Robinson, 46, 75-77; Winfree, 179-185)
31 Oct 1723 BRUNSWICK gained from ISLE OF WIGHT and SURRY. (Va. Exec. Jour., 4:56)
15 Apr 1730 Boundary between BRUNSWICK and GOOCHLAND clarified [no change]. (Va. Exec. Jour., 4:216)
01 Jan 1733 [1 January 1732/1733] BRUNSWICK gained from ISLE OF WIGHT and SURRY; BRUNSWICK fully organized, detached from PRINCE GEORGE. (Hening, 4:355-356)
25 Mar 1735 BRUNSWICK lost to creation of AMELIA. (Hening, 4:467-468)
01 May 1746 BRUNSWICK lost to creation of LUNENBURG. (Hening, 5:383-385)
01 Feb 1781 BRUNSWICK lost to creation of GREENSVILLE. (Hening, 10:363-364)
06 Nov 1787 BRUNSWICK lost to GREENSVILLE. (Hening, 12:596-597)
13 Feb 1858 BUCHANAN created from RUSSELL and TAZEWELL. (Robinson, 77; Va. Acts 1857-1858, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 156, sec. 1/pp. 108-110)
03 Mar 1880 BUCHANAN lost to creation of DICKENSON. (Robinson, 48; Va. Acts 1879-1880, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 140, sec. 1/pp. 125-129)
01 May 1761 BUCKINGHAM created from ALBEMARLE. (Hening, 7:419-423)
31 Oct 1778 [October 1778] BUCKINGHAM lost to CUMBERLAND. (Hening, 9:559)
01 May 1845 BUCKINGHAM lost to creation of APPOMATTOX. (Va. Acts 1844-1845, ch. 41, secs. 1, 16/pp. 38-42)
21 Mar 1860 BUCKINGHAM gained small area from APPOMATTOX to accommodate local landowner [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1859-1860, ch. 62, sec. 1/p. 171)
10 Jul 1902 Buena Vista made an independent city, 2d class, from ROCKBRIDGE. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
31 Dec 1983 Independent city of Buena Vista gained from ROCKBRIDGE. (Buena Vista City Manager, correspondence, January 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
02 Jan 1809 CABELL (W. Va.) created by Virginia from KANAWHA (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1808-1809, ch. 45, sec. 1/pp. 44-46)
01 Jan 1820 Ohio River and its islands, previously unassigned to particular counties, were declared to be part of the adjacent Virginia counties, including CABELL (W. Va.) [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1819-1820, ch. 74, sec. 1/p. 66)
12 Jan 1824 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to creation of LOGAN (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1823-1824, ch. 11, sec. 1/pp. 20-21)
26 Jan 1830 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to LOGAN (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1829-1830, ch. 118, sec. 1/p. 117)
18 Jan 1842 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to creation of WAYNE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1841-1842, ch. 60, sec. 1/pp. 36-38)
11 Mar 1847 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to creation of BOONE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1846-1847, ch. 55, sec. 1/pp. 49-52)
11 Mar 1848 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to creation of PUTNAM (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1847-1848, ch. 59, sec. 1/pp. 34-38)
12 Mar 1850 CABELL (W. Va.) lost to PUTNAM (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1849-1850, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 26, sec. 1/pp. 24-25)
20 Jun 1863 CABELL separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
05 Mar 1856 CALHOUN (W. Va.) created by Virginia from GILMER (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1855-1856, ch. 108, sec. 1/pp. 90-91)
20 Jun 1863 CALHOUN separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
01 Feb 1782 CAMPBELL created from BEDFORD. (Hening, 10:447-449)
01 May 1845 CAMPBELL lost to creation of APPOMATTOX. (Va. Acts 1844-1845, ch. 41, secs. 1, 16/pp. 38-42)
28 Mar 1848 CAMPBELL lost to APPOMATTOX. (Va. Acts 1847-1848, ch. 61, sec. 1/pp. 41-42)
10 Jul 1902 CAMPBELL lost to creation of Lynchburg as an independent city, 1st class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Jan 1908 CAMPBELL lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989)
01 Jan 1926 CAMPBELL lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [242])
21 Mar 1940 CAMPBELL lost small area to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1958 CAMPBELL lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989 and August 1992; Bain, Annexation, [246])
31 Dec 1975 CAMPBELL lost to the independent city of Lynchburg. (Lynchburg Planning Division, correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 May 1728 CAROLINE created from ESSEX, KING AND QUEEN, and KING WILLIAM. (Winfree, 319-320)
01 Dec 1742 CAROLINE gained from KING AND QUEEN. (Hening, 5:185)
10 Feb 1763 CAROLINE gained from KING AND QUEEN. (Hening, 7:620-621)
17 Jan 1842 CARROLL created from GRAYSON. (Va. Acts 1841-1842, ch. 58, sec. 1/pp. 32-34)
26 Feb 1856 CARROLL gained from PATRICK. (Va. Acts 1855-1856, ch. 114, sec. 1/p. 98)
30 Nov 1953 CARROLL lost to creation of Galax as an independent city, 2d class. (Va. Sec. Rpt., 522)
01 Jan 1960 CARROLL lost small area to the independent city of Galax [change too small to map]. (Bain, Annexation, [246])
31 Dec 1972 [1972] CARROLL lost to the independent city of Galax. (Galax City Engineer, correspondence, April 1994)
31 Dec 1976 [1976] CARROLL lost to the independent city of Galax. (Galax City Engineer, correspondence, April 1994)
01 Jan 1991 CARROLL lost small area to the independent city of Galax. (Galax City Engineer, correspondence, April 1994)
01 Jul 1992 CARROLL lost to the independent city of Galax. (Galax City Engineer, correspondence, April 1994; U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
31 Dec 1634 [1634] CHARLES CITY created as one of the original eight shires (counties). (Hening, 1:224; Tyler, 197-198)
06 Aug 1701 Southern boundary of CHARLES CITY clarified [no change]. (Winfree, 2-3)
29 May 1702 Boundaries of CHARLES CITY clarified [no change]. (Winfree, 8-9)
23 Apr 1703 CHARLES CITY lost to creation of PRINCE GEORGE. (Winfree, 11-12)
01 Jan 1721 [1 January 1720/1721] CHARLES CITY gained from JAMES CITY. (Winfree, 193-194)
CHARLES RIVER (see YORK)
01 Mar 1765 CHARLOTTE created from LUNENBURG. (Hening, 8:41-42)
01 Oct 1777 CHARLOTTE lost to LUNENBURG. (Hening, 9:327)
01 May 1845 CHARLOTTE lost to creation of APPOMATTOX. (Va. Acts 1844-1845, ch. 41, secs. 1, 16/pp. 38-42)
10 Jul 1902 Charlottesville made an independent city, 2d class, from ALBEMARLE. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Aug 1916 Independent city of Charlottesville gained from ALBEMARLE. Charlottesville's status changed from 2d class to 1st class. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Dodson, Cities, "Charlottesville")
01 Jan 1939 Independent city of Charlottesville gained from ALBEMARLE. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1963 Independent city of Charlottesville gained from ALBEMARLE. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1968 Independent city of Charlottesville gained small area from ALBEMARLE. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989)
09 Feb 1988 Independent city of Charlottesville gained small area from ALBEMARLE. (Charlottesville Community Development Dept., correspondence, December 1989; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 Jan 1963 Chesapeake made an independent city, 1st class, from NORFOLK and the independent city of South Norfolk; NORFOLK County and South Norfolk both eliminated. (Va. Acts 1962, ch. 211/pp. 301-316)
31 Dec 1968 [1968] Independent city of Chesapeake lost to the independent city of Portsmouth. (Portsmouth City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989)
31 Dec 1980 [1980] Independent city of Chesapeake gained small area from the independent city of Virginia Beach. (Virginia Beach Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
25 May 1749 CHESTERFIELD created from HENRICO. (Winfree, 446-447)
16 Mar 1850 CHESTERFIELD lost to POWHATAN. (Va. Acts 1849-1850, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 28, sec. 1/p. 26)
10 Jul 1902 CHESTERFIELD lost to creation of Manchester (extinct) as an independent city, 2d class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
05 Nov 1914 CHESTERFIELD lost to the independent city of Richmond. (Bain, Annexation, [241]; Richmond Community Development Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
17 Feb 1922 CHESTERFIELD gained from HENRICO. (Va. Acts 1922, Jan. reg. sess., ch. 22, sec. 1/pp. 26-27)
01 Jan 1942 CHESTERFIELD lost to the independent city of Richmond. (Richmond Community Development Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243]; "Henrico County v. City of Richmond" in Va. Rpts., 177:768-769)
19 Mar 1948 CHESTERFIELD lost to creation of Colonial Heights as an independent city, 2d class. (Virginia Commission on Local Government, correspondence, February 1990)
01 Jan 1954 CHESTERFIELD lost to the independent city of Colonial Heights. (Colonial Heights Office of the City Planner, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [245])
01 Jan 1958 CHESTERFIELD lost to the independent city of Colonial Heights. (Colonial Heights Office of the City Planner, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [246])
31 Dec 1970 [1970] CHESTERFIELD lost to the independent city of Richmond. (Richmond Community Development Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
08 Mar 1836 CLARKE created from FREDERICK. (Va. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 19, sec. 1/pp. 20-22)
12 Jan 1860 Legislature authorized CLARKE to gain small area from WARREN to accommodate local landowner; change did not take effect. (Va. Acts 1859-1860, ch. 286, sec. 1/p. 496)
29 Mar 1858 CLAY (W. Va.) created by Virginia from BRAXTON (W. Va.), NICHOLAS (W. Va.), and a small part of KANAWHA (W. Va.) [KANAWHA not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1857-1858, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 158, sec. 1/pp. 111-113; W. Va. Acts 1863, ch. 64, sec. 1/p. 61)
20 Jun 1863 CLAY separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
15 Jun 1906 Clifton Forge made an independent city, 2d class, from ALLEGHANY. (Dodson, Cities, "Clifton Forge")
01 Jan 1963 Independent city of Clifton Forge gained from ALLEGHANY. Clifton Forge reverted to town status on 1 July 2001. (Clifton Forge City Manager's Office, correspondence, April 1994; Bain, Annexation, [247])
20 Mar 1991 Legislature authorized the consolidation of the independent city of Clifton Forge and ALLEGHANY into a new independent city of Alleghany; change did not take effect. (Va. Acts 1991, ch. 401/pp. 600-609)
19 Mar 1948 Colonial Heights made an independent city, 2d class, from CHESTERFIELD. (Virginia Commission on Local Government, correspondence, February 1990)
01 Jan 1954 Independent city of Colonial Heights gained from CHESTERFIELD. (Colonial Heights Office of the City Planner, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [245])
01 Jan 1958 Independent city of Colonial Heights gained from CHESTERFIELD. (Colonial Heights Office of the City Planner, correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [246])
29 Dec 1960 Independent city of Colonial Heights' status changed from 2d class to 1st class. (Va. Acts 1960, ch. 213/pp. 220-278; Va. Acts 1962, p. 1452)
20 Dec 1952 Covington made an independent city, 2d class, from ALLEGHANY. (Virginia Commission on Local Government, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1990 Independent city of Covington gained from ALLEGHANY. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
21 Mar 1851 CRAIG created from BOTETOURT, GILES, MONROE (W. Va.), and ROANOKE. (Va. Acts 1850-1851, ch. 25, sec. 1/pp. 21-23)
16 Feb 1853 CRAIG gained from MONROE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1852-1853, ch. 152, sec. 1/p. 130)
01 Mar 1853 CRAIG gained from MONTGOMERY. (Va. Acts 1852-1853, ch. 153, secs. 1, 3/pp. 130-131)
10 Jan 1856 CRAIG gained from MONROE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1855-1856, ch. 112, sec. 1/pp. 97-98)
20 Feb 1856 CRAIG gained small area from ALLEGHANY to accommodate local landowner [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1855-1856, ch. 111, sec. 1/p. 97)
07 Apr 1858 CRAIG gained small area from GILES [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1857-1858, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 160, sec. 1/p. 114)
25 Feb 1880 CRAIG lost small area to GILES to accommodate local landowner [not mapped]. (Va. Acts 1879-1880, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 194, sec. 1/p. 183)
17 May 1749 CULPEPER created from ORANGE. (Winfree, 425-426)
01 May 1793 CULPEPER lost to creation of MADISON. (Hening, 13:558-559)
18 Feb 1833 CULPEPER lost to creation of RAPPAHANNOCK. (Robinson, 66, 87; Va. Acts 1832-1833, ch. 73, sec. 1/pp. 44-46)
20 May 1749 CUMBERLAND created from GOOCHLAND. (Winfree, 426-427)
01 Jul 1777 CUMBERLAND lost to creation of POWHATAN. (Hening, 9:322-325)
31 Oct 1778 [October 1778] CUMBERLAND gained from BUCKINGHAM. (Hening, 9:559)
10 Jul 1902 Danville made an independent city, 1st class, from PITTSYLVANIA. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Jun 1907 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
01 Jan 1933 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Aug 1947 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [244])
01 Jul 1951 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [245])
01 Jan 1956 Independent city of Danville gained small area from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [246])
01 Jan 1960 Independent city of Danville gained small area from PITTSYLVANIA [change too small to map]. (Bain, Annexation, [246])
01 Jan 1963 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [247])
31 Dec 1964 [1964] Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1971 [1971] Independent city of Danville gained small area from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1973 [1973] Independent city of Danville gained small area from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1974 [1974] Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1978 [1978] Independent city of Danville gained small area from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990)
01 Jan 1988 Independent city of Danville gained from PITTSYLVANIA. (Danville Planning Division, correspondence, February 1990; Danville Dept. of Community Development, correspondence, December 2002; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
03 Mar 1880 DICKENSON created from BUCHANAN, WISE, and a small area of RUSSELL [RUSSELL not mapped]. (Robinson, 48; Va. Acts 1879-1880, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 140, sec. 1/pp. 125-129)
01 May 1752 DINWIDDIE created from PRINCE GEORGE. (Hening, 6:254-256)
10 Jul 1902 DINWIDDIE lost to creation of Petersburg as an independent city, 1st class. (Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169)
01 Dec 1921 DINWIDDIE lost small area to the independent city of Petersburg. (Petersburg Assessor's Office, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [242])
01 Jan 1932 DINWIDDIE lost to the independent city of Petersburg. (Petersburg Assessor's Office, correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243])
01 Jan 1956 DINWIDDIE lost small area to the independent city of Petersburg. (Petersburg Assessor's Office, correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1971 DINWIDDIE lost to the independent city of Petersburg. (Petersburg Assessor's Office, correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
04 Feb 1845 DODDRIDGE (W. Va.) created by Virginia from HARRISON (W. Va.), LEWIS (W. Va.), and RITCHIE (W. Va.). (Va. Acts 1844-1845, ch. 42, sec. 1/pp. 42-45)
20 Jun 1863 DODDRIDGE separated from Virginia and became a county in the state of West Virginia. (Swindler, 10:363)
DUNMORE (see SHENANDOAH)
31 Dec 1634 [1634] ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) created as one of the original eight shires (counties). (Hening, 1:224; Tyler, 197-198)
31 Dec 1636 [1636] ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) lost to creation of NEW NORFOLK (extinct). (Robinson, 62, 85-86)
28 Jan 1882 Boundary between ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) and WARWICK (extinct) redefined [no discernible change]. (Va. Acts 1881-1882, Dec. reg. sess., ch. 46, sec. 1/p. 43)
30 Mar 1908 ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) lost to creation of Hampton as an independent city, 2d class. (Dodson, Cities, "Hampton")
01 Jan 1921 ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) lost small area to the independent city of Newport News. (Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 12)
01 Jan 1927 ELIZABETH CITY (extinct) lost to the independent city of Newport News. A minor correction was made in this line on 27 February 1927. (Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 12-13)
01 Jul 1952 ELIZABETH CITY, along with the independent city of Hampton (2d class), and the town of Phoebus were consolidated to form the independent city of Hampton, 1st class; ELIZABETH CITY County eliminated. (Va. Acts 1952, ext. sess., ch. 9/pp. 21-39)
28 Feb 1968 Emporia made an independent city, 2d class, from GREENSVILLE. (Emporia Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990)
01 Jan 1988 Independent city of Emporia gained from GREENSVILLE. (Emporia City Manager's Office, correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
26 Apr 1692 ESSEX created from RAPPAHANNOCK (original); original RAPPAHANNOCK County eliminated. (Hening, 3:104-105; Robinson, 49, 66)
01 May 1721 ESSEX lost to creation of SPOTSYLVANIA. (Hening, 4:77-79; Robinson, 77; Winfree, 179-185)
01 May 1728 ESSEX lost to creation of CAROLINE. (Winfree, 319-320)
01 Dec 1742 FAIRFAX created from PRINCE WILLIAM. (Hening, 5:207-208)
01 Jul 1757 FAIRFAX lost to creation of LOUDOUN. (Hening, 7:148-149)
30 Mar 1791 FAIRFAX lost to a newly proclaimed unnamed federal district (now the District of Columbia); Virginia ceded territory to the United States for the seat of the federal government in 1789. FAIRFAX continued county jurisdiction over the ceded area. (Richardson, 1:102; Van Zandt, 88, 90)
03 Jan 1798 FAIRFAX gained from LOUDOUN. (Shepherd, 2:107-108)
27 Feb 1801 FAIRFAX effectively lost to ALEXANDRIA (D.C.) the jurisdiction over that part of its territory that had been ceded in 1791 for the seat of the federal government, now called the District of Columbia. (U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 15 [1801]/pp. 103-108; Byron, 1:400-401)
01 Apr 1915 FAIRFAX lost small area to the independent city of Alexandria. (Bain, Annexation, [240]; Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
01 Jan 1930 FAIRFAX lost to the independent city of Alexandria. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243])
16 Aug 1948 FAIRFAX lost to creation of Falls Church as an independent city, 2d class. (Falls Church Public Library, correspondence, March 1990)
01 Jan 1952 FAIRFAX lost to the independent city of Alexandria. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990; Bain, Annexation, [245])
01 Jul 1961 FAIRFAX lost to creation of Fairfax as an independent city, 2d class. (Fairfax Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1973 [1973] FAIRFAX lost small area to the independent city of Alexandria. (Alexandria Planning Dept., correspondence, January 1990)
31 Dec 1980 FAIRFAX exchanged with the independent city of Fairfax. (Fairfax City Clerk's Office, correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 Jan 1994 FAIRFAX exchanged with the independent city of Fairfax. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
01 Jul 1961 Fairfax made an independent city, 2d class, from FAIRFAX. (Fairfax Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990)
31 Dec 1980 Independent city of Fairfax exchanged with FAIRFAX. (Fairfax City Clerk's Office, correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003)
01 Jan 1994 Independent city of Fairfax exchanged with FAIRFAX. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Geographic Change Notes: Virginia," http://eire.census.gov/popest/geonotes/51.php, 10 June 2003)
16 Aug 1948 Falls Church made an independent city, 2d class, from FAIRFAX. (Falls Church Public Library, correspondence, March 1990)
01 May 1759 FAUQUIER created from PRINCE WILLIAM. (Hening, 7:311-312)
01 Nov 1780 FAYETTE (Ky.) created by Virginia from KENTUCKY (extinct). (Hening, 10:315-317)
01 Aug 1782 FAYETTE (Ky.) became part of Kentucky District, a special judicial district created to serve Virginians living west of the Allegheny Mountains. Its extent was described only in terms of the counties it encompassed. This District became the state of Kentucky in 1792. (Hening, 11:85)
01 May 1786 FAYETTE (Ky.) lost to creation of BOURBON (Ky). (Hening, 12:89-91)