History

Christiansburgh, named for William Christian, is located on a plateau deep in the heart of the Alleghenies. Christian, described by Lula Givens in her book Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Virginia, in the Heart of the Alleghenies, was an important person in the area when it was still Fincastle County. Governor Dunmore had appointed him one of the first justices of that county and named him chairman of the Committee of Safety to protect the settlers. He was born on Christian's Creek near Staunton, Virginia in 1742. William studied law with Patrick Henry and courted and married Patrick's sister, Ann.

Theodore Roosevelt, in The Winning of the West, said that Col. Christian was a "noted Indian fighter" and a "very gallant and honorable man." Christiansburg, the county seat of Montgom­ery County, Virginia incorporated November 10, 1792 was named for him; a patriot ‘hero. Our cleared land, cultivated fields, neat secure homes, beautiful churches and prosperous people are constant reminders of William Christian, keeping his memory fresh and everlasting.