Bedford County, Administrative county in Piedmont region, Virginia, US.
Bedford County stretches across the Piedmont region of Virginia with a mix of urban areas, farmland, and sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area also includes forests and Smith Mountain Lake, which winds through the landscape.
The area was established as its own county in 1753 by the Virginia General Assembly and named after John Russell, the fourth Duke of Bedford. This creation came from the earlier Lunenburg County, reshaping the region's boundaries.
The National D-Day Memorial honors soldiers from this region who fought in Normandy during World War II. This place holds deep meaning for many residents in remembering that period.
The area offers direct access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Jefferson National Forest, and various water-based outdoor activities. It is best explored by car, as attractions are spread across a larger area.
The Town of Bedford merged back with the county in 2013 after being an independent city for many years, a rare administrative shift. This reunification fundamentally changed the governance structure of the entire region.
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