Ridgeway, Virginia
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Region
Southern Virginia
Type
Incorporated town
County
Henry County
Known for
Martinsville Speedway
Ridgeway is a small town in Henry County, Virginia, in Southern Virginia near the North Carolina border. For many visitors, it is best known as the home of Martinsville Speedway, where major race weekends bring the area’s motorsports heritage into sharp focus.[1]
Away from the track, Ridgeway offers a quieter base for exploring Henry County’s wooded river landscapes and local history. The Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve, near town, combines wooded trails with interpretive glimpses of tobacco farming and the Burgess family’s history.[2]
Plan a trip to Ridgeway
Why visit Ridgeway?
Ridgeway makes sense for visitors drawn by race day, but the area’s appeal is broader than the grandstands. It is a practical starting point for discovering the rivers, trails, museums, and industrial and agricultural history of Henry County. Regional visitor information is available through VisitMartinsville, the official tourism site for Martinsville-Henry County.[3]
What to see and do
Martinsville Speedway
The speedway is the area’s signature visitor draw. It opened as a dirt track in 1947 and hosted a NASCAR-sanctioned race in 1948. Check the track’s official guide for current event dates, tickets, access, and race-day arrangements before traveling.[4][5]
Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve
This 75-acre preserve along the Smith River has wooded trails and an outdoor classroom. The Jones Cliff Trail interprets the area’s tobacco-farming past and the Burgess family plantation; the more difficult Rhododendron Trail follows the river. Confirm current access conditions before setting out.[6]
Explore the wider area
Use Ridgeway as a starting point for regional attractions and outdoor recreation around Martinsville, Virginia and Henry County. The local tourism site provides visitor information for destinations including the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Philpott Lake, and the Smith River.[7]
History and character
Ridgeway’s civic history reaches back to its incorporation in 1890. Virginia’s published town charter records the town’s incorporation and identifies Ridgeway as being in Henry County.[8]
The railroad helped shape the town’s development. A Virginia Department of Historic Resources survey describes Ridgeway’s incorporation in 1890 near the midpoint of a railroad line being built between Roanoke and Winston-Salem; it also records a coal wharf opening in 1892 and mica mining beginning in 1908.[9]
Today, the town is closely associated with Martinsville Speedway, which lies within Ridgeway’s postal area and is a central part of the region’s motorsports identity. The track’s history and race-day visitor guidance are maintained by VisitMartinsville and the speedway itself.[10]
Planning a visit
Ridgeway is most convenient to visit by car, particularly if attending an event at Martinsville Speedway or exploring attractions spread across Henry County. Race schedules, ticket terms, parking arrangements, and accessibility information can change, so check the speedway’s official Fan Guide before departure.[11]
For outdoor visits, check current preserve access and trail conditions with local sources. VisitMartinsville’s visitor information can help with regional planning, while the Henry County site provides county services and local government information.[12][13]
Nearby places and attractions
Martinsville, Virginia
The neighboring independent city and regional center offers museums, local history, and visitor services.
Henry County, Virginia
Explore the county’s outdoor recreation, river landscapes, and communities beyond Ridgeway.
Philpott Lake
A regional destination for boating, fishing, and lakeside recreation; check current facilities and access information before visiting.
Smith River in Virginia
The river and its surrounding landscapes provide a natural counterpoint to Ridgeway’s race-day activity.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Martinsville Speedway, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Martinsville Speedway, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Fan Guide, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Speedway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Charter: Ridgeway, Virginia Law, Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Historic Architectural Resources Survey of Henry County, Virginia, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Motorsports Heritage, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Fan Guide, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Speedway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia, VisitMartinsville, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Ridgeway District, Henry County, Virginia, Henry County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.