9 Facts About Winchester That Will Make You Think Twice

Winchester is the smallest city in Virginia with a population of just over twenty thousand. Surrounded by multiple farms and forests, Winchester has managed to maintain a small town feel within the borders of an otherwise heavily populated region. Although most people don’t know much about Winchester star because we’re just so far away from most major cities, there are still some little-known facts that make us special. We were even the birthplace of a major motion picture. We did all of this in the heart of Virginia, where folks like to say that if you blink, you’ll miss something. So here are nine facts that will make you think twice about our wonderful little city.

1) Winchester Remains a Vibrant Small Business and Industrial Hub

Winchester is home to many small businesses. This has been true ever since the city’s inception, when it was decided by residents that they would prefer local agricultural and commercial industries over corporate chains. Winchester businesses have found homes in historic buildings throughout the city’s downtown area, while many smaller stores line side streets and storefronts throughout the region.

2) Winchester Is the Birthplace of Motion Picture History

The first motion pictures were invented by Thomas Edison and his team in the late 1800’s, but it wasn’t until the early 1900’s that they began being used as entertainment. Many consider one of these earliest films, “The Great Train Robbery” (1903), to be one of the first American motion pictures ever made. This short film was filmed by E.A. 

3) Winchester Has Always Been Special to Me

Growing up in Winchester as a child, I always felt like a little piece of Winchester was always inside of me. Even though we’re such a small city with limited space, there is still so much history here. We have our own little downtown district, with many historic buildings that have been around for decades or centuries. It’s incredible to think of the stories behind each place you walk past and each face you see on the street amidst all of the hustle and bustle that is downtown Winchester today. 

4) Winchester Has Always Been a Home

Winchester may be small in size, but we’re more than just a place to work and play. As soon as you drive into our city you can feel the heart of a town. We know people and are proud of our culture. Whether it’s one thing or another about us, we take pride in every part of who we are in this city. Our residents are proud to call Winchester home, and our families have lived here for more than two hundred years. 

5) We Have a Vigilant Dog Policy

One of the things that people didn’t realize about this small town was that it was also known as one of the strictest cities in regards to its dog laws. Whether you were a dog owner or not, it was always a good idea to know your surroundings when roaming around downtown Winchester. The city’s ordinances make it easy to punish offenders and charge fines. If you didn’t pick up after your dog and leave their waste on the ground, then you were subject to a fine of thirty-five dollars. 

6) Winchester Received Its Name from The Operatic Composer

The founder of Winchester, William Harrison, was named after a friend of his father who was an opera composer. Winchester was created in what was later called Winchester District, which is a section of the Shenandoah Valley. William Harrison himself wrote the music for “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and his friend, John Greenleaf Whittier, helped him.

7) Winchester has Always Been a Home to Many Locals From Around the World

Once upon a time you could find individuals from all over the world living in Winchester, whether it be as a student or as part of a work contract. Before I moved away from Winchester, I had many friends from different places who were from other places in the world and we always enjoyed raising our families here in this small community. 

8) Winchester Has Always Been a Town Where Diversity was Welcomed

Winchester has always been different from what you’d find in most other towns. While we may be small, we don’t discriminate against anyone. We may not have as many people living in one area as you would find in larger towns and cities, but that just means that we are more connected. We go to one another’s events, we know the families of our neighbors, and most importantly, we don’t forget to show others that we care.

9) Winchester Has Always Been a Place Where Discovery is Always Possible

There are so many places to visit in Winchester, whether it be for an afternoon or for the entire day. Whether you’re a family looking for something to do as a group or an individual just looking for a way to have fun on your own time, discovering what Winchester has to offer is always possible. We have our historic downtown district where you can find small retail stores and quaint restaurants. You can walk along the historic districts and take in the sights that only Winchester has to offer.