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As a town, South Boston thrives...
With so many cities in Virginia struggling financially, a few - among them Charlottesville, Martinsville and Bedford have looked at the possibility of becoming towns. Two, Clifton Forge and South Boston, have actually done it. What makes the option attractive is that Virginia cities are independent units, while towns are part of the counties that surround them. So when cities become towns they have counties to share their fiscal burdens. Not surprisingly, counties are often not eager take on the added load. South Boston made the transition from city to town in 1995, despite Halifax County's best efforts to prevent it. WVTF's Fred Echols visited the town to see how things have worked out. Listen.
South Boston City Hall became Town Hall on July 1, 1995.
Downtown has gotten a facelift with new landscaping.
Formerly a struggling city, South Boston has found new life as Halifax County's largest town.
South Boston maintains its own Police Department...
...and Public Works Department, both with new headquarters built since reversion.
(Photos by: Fred Echols, WVTF News)
3520 Kingsbury Lane Roanoke, VA 24014