Hallsley: Made in Midlothian

As new families continue to settle and call Hallsley home.  A common comment from many of them includes their love of the area.

“We just love Midlothian.  We moved from another close by neighborhood knowing that we didn’t want to leave the area.  It’s the perfect spot to raise a family.”  — Erin Zide

In addition to many modern day conveniences – the village of Midlothian has quite a rich, interesting past as well.

Scattered throughout the village are remnants of the Midolothian area mines — old homes, taverns, and buildings connected with French Huguenots, who were among the first European settlers in the Midlothian area.  Coal was first discovered in Chesterfield during the early 1700’s near Manakin Town, a French Huguenot settlement. Eventually, mine workers settled in the vicinity of Midlothian, responding to the opportunity for employment in Chesterfield County’s coal pits.

One of Midlothian’s historical marker’s states that Midlothian is the site of the first coal mines in the United States.

The Chesterfield Railroad Company was established to transport coal into the city of Richmond.  The 13-mile mule-and-gravity powered rail line was operational by 1831, constituting the second commercial railroad to be built in America.

Today, the Mid-Lothian Mines Park is in the heart of Midlothian’s coal mining past. The Mid-Lothian Mines gave the village of Midlothian its name and a proud heritage for many to call home.