Hillsboro

Hillsboro Old Stone School building in Hillsboro, VA
  • Western Loudoun truly ‘small town’
  • Steeped in history
  • Older homes- few new developments, no apartments or townhouses
  • Birthplace of the mother of the Wright brothers

Founded in 1782, Hillsboro is a 220 year old Loudoun County town named for the Short Hill Mountain gap it sits within. But the first members of the community arrived in 1752, living in a small cluster of homes known simply as “The Gap”- hence the welcome sign as you enter the town. Tucked in the most northern spot of Loudoun County, Hillsboro isjust 6 miles north of Purcellville and 10 miles southeast of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. A recent $34 million infrastructure makeover added badly needed sidewalks, improved water services, moved utilities underground, and brought broadband to the community.

The Old Stone School, pictured above, is the recognizable anchor of the town. Built in 1874 as the Locust Grove Academy, it now hosts community events and fairs. Fun fact: Hillsboro was also the birthplace of Susan Koerner Wright, the mother of the Wright brothers. The town rededicated a memorial market to her in December 2021 after the infrastructure work was completed.

Welcome to the Gap sign at the entrance to Hillsboro, VA in western Loudoun County

Hillsboro is the definition of a small town. It is home to only 110 residents, and shares a zip code with Purcellville. But it’s charm is way larger than the size of the town itself. The town’s events committee meets weekly to ensure there are plenty of opportunities for the community to get together. The July fireworks celebration is fantastic, as is the annual Christmas festival. Stoneybrook Farm Market sits at the southern entrance to Hillsboro, offering grocery items (including meats and dairy from their farm), canned goods, local pottery, and deli items.

Historic homes line the main street in Hillsboro and dot the surrounding countryside. While a couple of smaller subdivisions have added to the community and the population count, there are currently no new home communities being built there. With the small footprint of the community, there are very few homes that sell each year.