Harrisonburg, VA

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley county of Rockingham, Harrisonburg was called the "Breadbasket of the South" during the Civil War. Originally known as Rocktown, Harrisonburg was named for Thomas Harrison, who settled in the valley in 1737. His gift of 50 acres to the community formed what is now Harrisonburg's Historic Downtown district. Harrisonburg was incorporated as an independent city in 1916 and now has a population of about 44,000.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

For several years, Harrisonburg has posted an unemployment rate that is significantly higher than the national average. However, in recent years, the area has seen growth in technology jobs. Surrounded by an agrarian region, Harrisonburg's outlying areas are home to many food-processing and shipping facilities, particularly for poultry.

The city also has a number of light industrial companies, including manufacturers of machinery and chemicals. James Madison University (JMU) is a major employer in the city, as is Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck & Co. maintains a plant in the area, as does the Coors Brewing Co.Rosetta Stone is a rapidly growing software development company focused on language instruction programs and has a facility in Harrisonburg.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Most of Harrisonburg's population of 44,000 lives in an urban environment. Neighborhoods and districts of Harrisonburg accommodate around 13,600 houses, of which more than 13,100 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 5,100 are owner-occupied while renters occupy around 8,000 houses. The estimated median home value in Harrisonburg is slightly more than the statewide median.

The Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District is centered around Court Square, which is home to a famous courthouse. Harrisonburg features the earliest known occurence of streets that intersect or are tangential to the sides of a courthouse square. In urban planning, this design is called the "Harrisonburg Plan." The downtown district features early stone, brick and log houses, as well as commercial buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Extensive renovation and revitalization efforts have marked Harrisonburg's rebirth in recent years. In 2003 the non-profit Downtown Renaissance was created to revive the downtown district, which has since joined the National Register of Historic Places and been designated a Main Street Community. The Old Town neighborhood achieved historic district status in 2007.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University: The only arboretum on a Virginia university campus, the arboretum features a system of trails through 125 acres of mature Oak-Hickory forest. More than a dozen individual gardens contain a rich variety of flora. In addition to the Downtown Historic District, tourists visit the Virginia Quilt Museum and attend sporting events on the JMU campus.
• The Miller Kite House: Built in 1827, the Miller Kite House served as the headquarters of General Stonewall Jackson from April 19-30, 1862. The museum features many items from the Civil War era, some of which belonged to Jackson.
• Valley Turnpike Museum: Visitors to the Valley Turnpike Museum can learn about the history of settlement in the Shenandoah Valley. The museum explores the history of the road now known as U.S. Highway 11, where small towns grew and prospered along a corridor from Winchester in Northern Virginia to the town of Staunton near Harrisonburg on the west side of Afton Mountain.
• The Harrisonburg Children's Museum: Visitors can provide a hands-on, interactive space where children and their families can explore and learn together. The museum offers a wide range of rotating exhibits focused on regional culture, science and technology.

FOR VISITORS

• Hillandale Park: Hillandale Park spans 75 acres, offering numerous picnic shelters, a playground, a walking trail, a volleyball court, basketball courts, and a reproduction log cabin. The Park is also home to Rocktown Trails, a system of three different levels of trails designed to cater to a wide range of runners, walkers, and bicyclists.
• Westover Park: Harrisonburg's Westover Park houses the Westover Swimming Pool Complex as well as the Gilkerson Community Center, the Westover Skate Park, and a disc golf course. It offers a playground, picnic areas, and a senior citizens center.
• Heritage Oaks Golf Course: Heritage Oaks Golf Course is a par-70 course owned by the city of Harrisonburg. Its scenic course is designed to be enjoyed by golfers of all ability levels.
• Shenandoah National Forest: Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the hiking trails of the, or trek along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway - both popular destinations for viewing spectacular fall foliage. The Appalachian Trail is within a stone's throw of Harrisonburg. Spelunkers can descend into a variety of caves and geological crevices, including the famed Luray Caverns.
• Massanutten and Wintergreen: These nearby resorts offer skiing, tennis, golf, and hiking, with on-site dining and lodge facilities.

EDUCATION

• Eastern Mennonite University is a private, Christian liberal arts school founded in 1917.
• James Madison University is a public research school founded in 1908. The university delivers more than 100 degree programs from seven colleges and 78 academic programs. Renowned statewide for its football team, JMU won national attention in 2004 by winning its first NCAA Division I-AA national championship.
• Nearby Bridgewater College is a small, private liberal arts school founded in 1880 as the first coed college in Virginia. Student enrollment is about 1,500. Bridgewater is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren.

LOCAL MEDIA

Harrisonburg is served by a daily newspaper, The Daily News Record and a student-run paper, the JMU Breeze.

The city's radio stations include:

• WXJM 88.7-FM
• WMRA 90.7-FM
• WEMC 91.7-FM
• WLTK 96.1-FM
• WACL 98.5-FM
• WQPO 100.7-FM
• WEZI 103.3-FM
• WKCY 104.3-FM
• WAMM 105.1-FM
• WYFT 107.1-FM
• WSVA 550-AM
• WKCY 1300-AM
• WHBG 1360-AM

Harrisonburg's television stations include:

• WAZH
• WHSV (ABC)
• WVPT (PBS)