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Jefferson's Legacy

By Tim Ernandes

Peter Jefferson, the father of Thomas efforts, and officially named the facility

Jefferson, 3rd President of the United the Jefferson Park and Boat Dock.
States, had a brother named Field Jefferson family members participated in

Jefferson. His direct descendants settled the dedication of the completed facility.
in Pittsylvania County, and one of them Two of Mr. Jefferson’s granddaughters,

witnessed the creation of Smith Mountain Kathryn Jefferson and Juli Jefferson, were
Lake. given the honor of unveiling a memorial

and commemorative
William Everett
plaque. They were joined
Jefferson operated
by numerous officials from
his family farm along
AEP and Richmond. Since
route 40 in Penhook.
the original construction,
When the lake was
AEP has expanded
formed in 1966, he
the facility, by adding
became concerned
additional parking and
that visitors to the
replacing the original ramp
lake would not have
with two new launching
public access to a boat
ramps.
ramp. He envisioned
such a place near his In 2016, Some 44

home, and earnestly years later, when the
petitioned the state lake celebrated its 50th

and AEP to make the Anniversary, those same
necessary provisions for it. In 1968, just a two granddaughters repeated their

year before his passing, he saw his dream ceremonial dedication of the facility, and
come to fruition. to further honor William Jefferson, the

road leading down to it from Route 40 was
In 1972, the Franklin County Board
named “Jefferson Dock Road”.
of Supervisors issued a resolution

acknowledging Mr. Jefferson’s untiring

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