Staunton, Virginia was settled by John Lewis and his family in 1732.

at right: This historical marker is erected on Richmond Road,
the main entryway to town, just off Interstate 81.

Directions to the gravesite, which is adjacent to the proposed site
for the solar utility power plant can be found here,
along with information on the family's role in the Revolutionary War.

HERE LIE THE REMAINS OF
JOHN LEWIS
WHO SLEW THE IRISH LORD,
SETTLED AUGUSTA COUNTY
LOCATED THE TOWN OF STAUNTON,
AND FURNISHED FIVE SONS TO
FIGHT THE BATTLES OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
HE WAS THE SON OF
ANDREW LEWIS AND MARY CALHOUN
AND WAS BORN IN DONEGAL COUNTY
IRELAND IN 1678 AND DIED FEB'Y 1ST
1762 AGED 84 YEARS.
HE WAS A BRAVE MAN, A TRUE PATRIOT,
AND A FRIEND OF LIBERTY THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD.

above left: The Lewis family graveyard, with existing pastoral setting visible through the fence.
The proposed solar utility power plant would be the backdrop to this historic site.

above right: The inscription on the John Lewis gravestone.

below: Location of the John Lewis family graveyard.
Note the proximity to the proposed power plant, which would visually overpower the setting.

Source for gravesite photo and map here.

More photos available here.

   
John Lewis named his property Bellefonte, for the beautiful spring that provided water for his farm and family.

He built a log home/fort which still exists today, within the brick walls of later additions.

The spring was included in acreage which was sold off in the 19th century.
Thus, the brick house built on the other side of the road in 1834 is also known as Bellefonte.

During the Civil War, the second Bellefonte was home to the Harman family.
Maj. John A. Harman served as Quartermaster to Stonewall Jackson and alongside
another prominent citizen of Staunton, cartographer Jedediah Hotchkiss.
In 1866, the two had resumed their civilian lives in this small town and Harman commissioned Hotchkiss
to create a survey of his property, consisting of 560 acres at that time.

below: the inscription on Harman's Hotchkiss map.

Today, the Bellefontes look much the same as they always have for the past century and more,
as does the bucolic setting they share.
However, the proposed solar utility power plant would be visible from both historic properties.

below: The original Bellefonte photographed from its namesake.

And yes, that is one rack of solar panels you see to the right of the house.
Small solar, self-sufficient solar, co-existing with the working farm,
not replacing agricultural land with industrial development.
 

The original Bellefonte is a working farm
and part of the Bells Lane Agricultural-Forestal District,
which was created to preserve the historic beauty of this area.

If one solar facility is allowed in this district,
how many more of the 1,688 acres will soon be covered in glass panels?

Sign the petition
to keep the district intact and to deny the application
for a special use permit
to erect a 96 acre solar utility power plant
in this agricultural district in Staunton.