Founded on the banks of the historic Staunton River, Brookneal's origin began when Patrick Henry, the Voice of the American Revolution, selected this strategic location for a ferry crossing linking Campbell, Halifax, and Charlotte Counties. The rolling hills and rural landscape form a bucolic setting that inspired our most vocal Founding Fathers to retire and call this area home.

One can still imagine wooden batteaux navigating the historic sluices and falls of the Staunton, as they transport tobacco from Brookneal area plantations to markets beyond. Today, residents and visitors still enjoy the serene setting as they canoe down the Staunton, fish for striped bass, or learn our Country's history as they take in the intrepretive experience of Red Hill, Henry's plantation home.