Mechanicsville, Virginia is a great place to live, and it has many wonderful amenities to offer. There are many places to shop, restaurants to dine at, and attractions to enjoy. If you are thinking about moving to the area, take a look at what Mechanicsville has to offer, and you may find that it’s the perfect place for you.

Battle of Gaines’ Mill

The Battle of Gaines’ Mill was one of the most intense battles of the American Civil War. On June 27, 1862, Union Brigadier General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps was besieged by Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Hanover County, Virginia.

Initially, the Union Fifth Corps had occupied a position along Beaver Dam Creek. However, the Confederates retreated and the position was abandoned.

When the Union Fifth Corps was withdrawn, the two armies were on relatively equal footing. This led to a series of rearguard battles. After nine hours of fighting, the combined casualties for both sides exceeded 15,000!

Lee’s attack was not coordinated. His forces began attacking at 2 p.m. and were not defeated until dusk. Although it was the largest Confederate attack of the war, the victory was not complete.

Battle of Cold Harbor

The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought outside Richmond, Virginia in June 1864. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. During the battle, approximately 5,000 to 7,000 Union soldiers were killed.

The Confederate position at Cold Harbor was too strong for the Union forces. Lee had positioned his troops so that the right flank was cutting off the Union’s path to the James River. He also had the advantage of veterans. However, Grant hoped that his attack would be a way to break the Confederate force and open a road to Richmond.

Although the Battle of Cold Harbor is remembered as a brutal and lopsided confrontation, it was actually avoidable. The main problem was command cohesion.

Major General George Meade had been complaining about the behavior of the Union troops in the newspapers. At the same time, Lee had been anticipating the coming attack. Nonetheless, he was outnumbered almost two to one. In the meantime, his infantry had been forced to march long distances, causing them to be tired.

Stone windmill in downtown Mechanicsville

A stone windmill in Mechanicsville is a nod to the town’s history. The octave-shaped windmill is a centerpiece of the Heritage Bank building, which has been re-imagined as a branch office of Wachovia Bank. Located at 8123 Mechanicsville Turnpike, the windmill is slated to re-open in January 2012.

Although Mechanicsville is a sleepy little burg, it’s got some big league business going for it. In fact, the area is home to some of the country’s largest distribution centers for Supervalu, Bon Secours Regional Medical Center, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It also happens to be a great place to live, if you’re looking for a small town with a big town feel.

Mechanicsville is also an excellent base for day trips to nearby Richmond and the Virginia countryside. With such a plethora of amenities, it’s no wonder Mechanicsville has a high median income per capita and is rated the number one community in the Richmond metro area.

W. Canova Peterson

Canova Peterson was the inaugural Mechanicsville District Supervisor in November of 2011. He is a member of the Mechanicsville Chamber of Commerce and has been active in the community for almost 40 years. As a member of the Mechanicsville City Services Committee, he is on a first name basis with most citizens and will be one of the first to answer your queries.

Canova Peterson has an impressive resume, which includes serving as an architect at a firm that specializes in high-end condominiums and townhomes, but his real claim to fame is his role as a public servant. This includes his work on the Mechanicsville ad hoc committees that produced the city’s street map and the town’s first community redevelopment plan. Other notable assignments include his roles on the Board of Directors of the Mechanicsville Rotary Club and the Hanover County Community Services Board.

Mechanicsville’s population

The population of Mechanicsville is made up of a total of 515 people. These include the citizens of Mechanicsville, Hanover County, and the surrounding areas.

During the early part of the 20th century, Mechanicsville was home to a General Electric light bulb manufacturing facility. It was also the site of several battles during the American Civil War.

Mechanicsville was known to be one of the poorest cities in Atlanta. Many African American families came to work in factories, rail yards, and homes owned by white residents. Unsavory landlords took advantage of these newcomers. This prompted a decline in the population of Mechanicsville.

A large number of vacant properties were cleared for larger-scale housing projects. As a result, local employment opportunities became scarce. To alleviate the situation, government programs were implemented. One of the most significant was the Model City Program.