A Brief History

The town of Norton was incorporated on February 15, 1894, under a councilmanic form of municipal government. Historians conclude that the original area of the town of Norton remained at 2.4 square miles of land area until 1950 when approximately 1 square mile was annexed. This extended Norton to its current east-west boundaries.

On April 6, 1954, the Virginia General Assembly granted a city charter to the Town of Norton, thus creating the first city in far southwestern Virginia and, to this day, the only city in Wise County and the smallest city in Virginia.

In recent years, the City of Norton has seen tremendous commercial growth along the U.S. 58 Corridor in the eastern section of the city. After many years of hard work, the long-awaited U.S. 23 Norton bypass was completed in 1996.

Today, the City of Norton remains a focal point of Southwest Virginia. Situated at the crossroads of U.S. 23 and U.S. 58 Alternate, the city has become the recreational center for the area. With proximity to a host of outdoor activities and a welcoming small town culture, Norton is an enticing visit for all ages and group sizes.