The city of Lexington, part of the Rockbridge County of the Commonwealth of Virginia, lies on picturesque slopes of the Shenandoah Valley. This independent city of Virginia is part of the west central region of Virginia and lies very close to Roanoke.
The location of the city of Lexington, near the state capital and the country’s capital, has made it the site of many significant historic events whose remnants are seen in the many historic heritage sites that abound in the city. Historically, the city of Lexington is most significant for being the home to famous military planners Thomas Jackson and Robert E. Lee. Today, however, the name of Lexington is synonymous with the Virginia Military Institute and the Washington and Lee University. Politically, the city is significant for serving as the county seat of Rockbridge County although the city has a separate administrative system since, it is an independent city.
Lexington city owes its origin to Gilbert Campbell’s Ford which was transformed into the town of Lexington in the year 1778. The town was given the name of Lexington after the battle of Lexington during the years of the American Revolution. Lexington developed into a complete city in the year of 1841 according to a charter of the American constitution. Ever since its early years as a city within the Commonwealth of Virginia, the city’s economy has remained dependent on education. The historical Washington & Lee University has now become synonymous with the city of Lexington which has also earned the reputation of being the most prestigious university in the country. The Virginia Military Academy was started in the year of 1839 and it played a very pivotal role during the years of the American Civil War. Lexington’s significance today, rests in the fact that the city has developed into the cultural, retail and historical city of Rockbridge county.