Virginia State Seal Virginia Department of Historic Resources

085-0405 Forestville Historic District

Forestville Historic District
Photo credit: David Edwards/DHR, 2021

*Click on image to enlarge.

For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF

VLR Listing Date 09/22/2011

NRHP Listing Date 11/30/2011

NRHP Reference Number 11000874

The Forestville Historic District encompasses a well-preserved mill village settled initially by German settlers, located at the crossroads of Routes 42, 614, and 767 in Shenandoah County. Forestville arose around a gristmill constructed about 1760 by Andrew Zirkle, and one of seven mills built in the area in response to the growing importance of commercial wheat production. Forestville took on its present layout beginning in 1838, and by 1869 it had a population of 200, two stores, and a number of artisan shops. At the time of its listing, Forestville retained its character as a 19th-century Shenandoah Valley mill village.


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: June 17, 2021