Virginia Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Grottoes, Virginia

Population: 2,114

Located in Rockingham County



In the early 1900's there was a woodworking plant, several dry goods stores, real estate offices, a bowling alley, a mill and blacksmith shop in Grottoes. The Bank of Grottoes opened for business on February 17, 1908. In 1912, by an Act of the General Assembly, the town's name was changed from "Shendun" to "Grottoes," meaning caves. By this time the population had decreased to about four hundred persons.

In 1948 a central water system was installed in the town. The Volunteer Fire Department was also organized that year. Reynolds Metals Company, now Alcoa, began its operation in 1956. In 1983, the town received two grants to construct its centralized sewer system to allow the town to continue to grow without the limitations of individual sewer systems.

By 2000, the town had grown to a population of 2,114 people. The renovation of the old Grottoes Elementary School provided for a new centralized town hall, branch library and police offices on Dogwood Avenue. Also by 2000, the fire station relocated to a new location on Route 256. The town developed a 54 acre park with pavilions, a boat ramp, a baseball facility and a driving range.

In recent years, the town has improved its motor vehicle and pedestrian transportation patterns within the town with the completion of a major project extending Route 256 through to Route 340. In 2002, a new shopping center opened with a Food Lion Supermarket and several other businesses coming into the town. A new system for wastewater treatment is scheduled for implementation this summer. The town will also soon annex land from surrounding Rockingham County, which will ensure its continued growth into the future.

Incredibly, the scenic grandeur of the Shenandoah Valley is matched - even surpassed - below the surface of the earth. Grand Caverns, one of the most spectacular Virginia caverns, has offered the public a breathtaking panorama of subterranean beauty since 1806 - making it America's oldest show cave.