Colonial Heights

Colonial Heights became a town in 1926 and an incorporated in 1948. Colonial Heights' history goes back much further as the site of significant battles during both the American Revolution and Civil War. The name comes from an incident during the American Revolutionary War- in 1781 the French troops of Lafayette, known as the Colonials, set up artillery on the heights above the Appomattox River where British forces were located. Legend indicates an English soldier exclaimed, “Look! There are the Colonials, up on the Heights!” Hence, 'Colonial Heights' was born.