Claremont, VA

Claremont sits right along the south bank of the James River in Surry County, offering a quiet, rural setting with barely 300 residents. The area has deep historical roots, dating back to 1607 when English settlers landed nearby before establishing Jamestown. Over the centuries, Claremont grew into a nineteenth-century river port and later served as a busy railroad hub, though today it has settled into a peaceful, scenic waterfront community.

The town also has a notable educational heritage. In 1892, educator John Jefferson Smallwood founded the Temperance, Industrial and Collegiate Institute on a 65-acre campus along the river, educating more than 2,000 African American students over several decades. Historical markers still honor that legacy today, standing alongside remnants of the old river landings. For anyone interested in a slow-paced lifestyle surrounded by quiet woods, open water, and rich Virginia history, Claremont offers a true escape from city life.