Welcome to Buchanan County
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Buchanan County was founded in 1858 as it was formed from parts of Russell and Tazewell counties. It was named in honor of former President James Buchanan. Its county seat is the Town of Grundy.
The county was first discovered by D. Thomas Walker,an explorer and pioneer from the eastern part of Virginia, in 1750, according to published reports. He came to the area on a quest to help survey the 800,000 acres of rugged wilderness beyond the Allegheny Mountains. Settlers began to drift into the county in the 1700s. Legend has it that a German refugee hunted and trapped his way into the virtually uncharted territory which made up Buchanan County.
Needing shelter, it is said he made his own in a hollow tree, taking with him his dogs and the rest of his gear until such time as he built a cabin in which to live, giving him the distinction of being the county’s first resident.
The Levisa River, which is the body of water running through the county, is a true Virginia is for Lovers story. As legend has it, a young American girl traveled to Europe and while there met a Frenchman. The two fell in love and the young girl told him all about America and the beauty to be found in her native Virginia. Soon thereafter, she became ill and died. A short time later he decided to visit the land of which the young girl had spoken. Legend has it he landed off the shore of Virginia and then walked from settlement to settlement across the state until he reached a lonely stream in the southwestern part of the state. There, he pitched his tent and called the river “Levisa,” the name of the young girl he had loved.
The county has always been blessed with abundant natural resources – timber, coal and gas – and continues to be blessed with them today. Coal and gas remain as the primary industries providing employment for local residents. Today, Buchanan County is both the largest coal and the largest gas producer in the state of Virginia. Through the years, it has also worked to grow and diversify its industry base which now also includes data centers and a new transportation and logistics center, under construction. Buchanan County is also the home to the Appalachian College of Pharmacy and the Appalachian School of Law.
TOWN OF GRUNDY, VIRGINIA
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains on the banks of the Levisa River, you'll find the perfect place to eat, shop and relax with friends as you take a break from riding on Spearhead Trails' Coal Canyon Trail. Spend an afternoon kayaking or fishing on the Levisa River. If it's after trail hours, finish your evening in town and catch a movie at the Grundy Cinema 3. The town features food and shopping in three main shopping areas: The Grundy Plaza, The University Plaza, and The Town Center.
SOUTHERN GAP
Southern Gap is a premier mixed-use development location designated for commercial, industrial and residential growth, with quality-of-life tourism initiatives that compliment those projects, including elk viewing opportunities and access to ATV trails.
Southern Gap is a true example of reclaimed mine land repurposed, and has the potential to be one of the most diverse Business and Industrial/Recreational Parks in Virginia. Our new consolidated “Southern Gap High School” will break ground this year. With a future regional airport, planned amphitheater, access to the Coalfields Expressway, and room for many tourism and economic development projects to flourish, Southern Gap gives a glimpse of a bright future for Buchanan County.
MEET OUR TEAM
MATTHEW FIELDS
Lifelong Buchanan County Native, Matthew Fields is the Tourism/Marketing & Economic Development Director, as well as the Director of the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority. Matthew graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science/Government from UVA-Wise, a Masters of Business Administration in 2021 from King University, and a Certification in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute in 2024. Matthew currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Heart of Appalachia Regional Tourism Authority, the Board of Directors for the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors for People Inc., and has just been appointed by Governor Youngkin to the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
In his short time leading the IDA, Matthew has seen many projects to fruition, and been a part of the planning for a bright future in Buchanan County. With the belief that economic development leads to more tourism opportunities and needs, Matthew works to bring these ideas to life and improve the quality of life for every Buchanan County native and our visitors.
TRACI EVANS
Newly appointed Assistant Director of Tourism for Buchanan County, Traci Evans, is a multi-talented photographer, social media manager, and content creator, ready to bring her skill set to the enchanting world of tourism in our beautiful part of Nature’s Wonderland.
With a love for community involvement, Traci volunteers with many local groups, holding titles as Executive of PR for the Theatre Guild of Buchanan County, and PTO President for Riverview Elementary/Middle School in Grundy VA. She is also an involved parent with local community sports, coaching cheer for the last three years and supporting the coaching staff for basketball, and baseball.
Family is Traci’s top priority, and choosing to raise her children in a special place like Buchanan County speaks to its wonderful attributes and inhabitants.
Traci has owned and operated a small photography business for over a decade, meeting local families during some of the most important times of their lives, building business experience and reaffirming the care and grit the locals possess.