Virginia State Seal Virginia Department of Historic Resources

009-0254 Cifax Rural Historic District

Cifax Rural Historic District
Photo credit: Dan Pezzoni, 1989

*Click on image to enlarge.

For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF

VLR Listing Date 08/21/1991

NRHP Listing Date 02/20/1992

NRHP Reference Number 92000052

Centered around the tiny settlement of Cifax, in a scenic area of Bedford County, this 1800-acre rural historic district defines a cultural landscape reflecting the region’s two-century agricultural history. The tangible elements of that history include the farm complexes and their boundaries, a network of tree-lined roads, and 19th- and early-20th-century houses and farm structures dotting the hillsides. The dwellings and their dependencies include those of prosperous landowners along with simpler residences of farmers and laborers. Sprinkled among the farms are early schools (such as the one pictured above) and churches that served all levels of society. The focal point of Cifax is a fine Greek Revival brick farmhouse known as The Cedars, erected ca. 1855 for Anderson Poindexter, a member of one of the area’s leading families. Also within the Cifax Rural Historic District is a historic African American settlement known as Scotchbroom City.


Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.

Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark


Updated: April 27, 2022