Location: 36.7662528, -80.7370242
Location and Overview
Hillsville is the county seat of Carroll County, Virginia, located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of southwestern Virginia. Sitting at over 2,500 feet elevation, the town offers cooler mountain air, panoramic views, and a welcoming small-town atmosphere. Its position along U.S. Route 58 provides easy access to Galax and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
History and Economy
Established in the 1870s, Hillsville developed as an agricultural and trading center. It is best known historically for the 1912 courthouse tragedy, an infamous event in Virginia’s legal history, now commemorated by a local museum. Today, the town’s economy includes government services, education, retail, and tourism linked to the nearby mountains.
Culture and Attractions
Hillsville hosts the Labor Day Flea Market & Gun Show, one of the largest events of its kind in the Southeast, drawing thousands of visitors. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping are popular in the surrounding countryside. Hillsville’s friendly spirit, history, and mountain charm make it a distinctive part of Virginia’s southwestern region.