Martinsville

Martinsville is an administrative center in southern Virginia, located along the Smith River and surrounded by wooded hills. The city spreads across several valleys, where residential areas, commercial zones, and public buildings are distributed.

The settlement began in 1793 and took its name from General Joseph Martin, an officer of the Revolutionary War. In the 20th century, the place developed into a center for the textile industry and furniture manufacturing.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History displays fossils and geological finds from the region, while the Piedmont Arts Association presents local artists and craftspeople. Visitors can walk through the exhibition rooms and learn how the landscape and life in the Blue Ridge foothills came to be.

The city is accessible by car via several highways that pass through the hills. Visitors find parking spaces near public facilities and can walk through the downtown area on foot.

The Martinsville Speedway, opened in 1947, is the shortest racetrack in the NASCAR Cup Series and is located just a few kilometers from downtown. Races take place twice a year and attract spectators from across the region.

Location: Virginia

Elevation above the sea: 310 m

Shares border with: Henry County

Website: http://martinsville-va.gov

GPS coordinates: 36.68614,-79.86917

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:15