Beaverdam, with a population hovering just above 4,000, began as a key pit stop on Virginia’s early railroad system, a function that shaped its destiny far beyond its size.
Established along the Virginia Central Railroad before the Civil War, it was both a transport hub and a target—Union forces torched its original train depot in the 1860s, twice, before locals rebuilt it in brick. That depot still stands, scarred but upright, a marker of the area’s resilience. Earlier still, the community’s name was drawn from the literal dams of beavers in its many creeks, a detail both humble and telling: Beaverdam grew not around industry or politics, but water and rail. When Patrick Henry retreated here in the late 18th century, he chose the estate now called Scotchtown as his sanctuary—one of the few homes of a founding father preserved in Virginia.
History clings strongly to the Beaverdam Depot. After being destroyed during the Civil War, the 19th-century structure was rebuilt and remained in operation well into the modern age. It still carries architectural relics of its time: separate waiting rooms for Black and white passengers, aged freight doors now locked shut, and embedded iron rings once used to tie off baggage carts. The surrounding track belongs to the Buckingham Branch Railroad today, a short-line freight service that hums through the region with the same stubborn rhythm as its predecessors. Model train aficionados often stake out this quiet section of track, hoping to spot rare locomotives hauling industrial cargo to and from inland Virginia.
Beaverdam’s food scene moves quietly, anchored by places that value consistency over flair. Boonedocks Seafood, a low-key operation drawing steady weekend crowds, serves fried catfish and crab cakes alongside shrimp platters and hush puppies that taste like they’ve been perfected by repetition rather than reinvention. The menu rarely changes, which is exactly the point—locals know what to expect, and that expectation keeps tables full. New Beginning Deli leans in a different direction, offering hot breakfast sandwiches in the morning and hearty lunch specials like meatloaf, mac and cheese, or rotating pasta dishes by noon. Their chalkboard menu updates daily, but the regulars rarely need to read it.
Beaverdam’s other businesses lean eccentric. Great & Mighty Things, a thrift and consignment store, collects antique Pyrex, retro signage, and a rotating stock of mid-century glassware and oddities—items that turn over quickly thanks to locals and out-of-town pickers scouring shelves weekly. Ashland Berry Farm may be Beaverdam’s best-known attraction for visitors, especially during October. It transforms into a sprawling maze of haunted trails and pumpkin patches. Kids clutch bags of cotton candy as actors in makeup roam the haunted barn. At night, the “Terror on the Farm” event draws teens and families from hours away.
Pop’s Country Store Museum occupies a modest, newly built structure on two acres in Beaverdam, showcasing turn of the century general store artifacts assembled by the Spencer family. The collection includes vintage groceries, scales, signage, a stage for live demonstrations, a small cemetery, and a parade ground, and opens the first Saturday of each month.
As Beaverdam continues to honor its past, present-day homeowners face challenges their ancestors never imagined—like keeping modern pests at bay. For reliable, locally trusted service, Victory Pest Management provides tailored pest control solutions that protect both historic properties and new builds alike. Contact us to schedule an inspection today and keep your home secure year-round.
