Philomont is an unincorporated community in western Loudoun County, Virginia. The name is derived from the Greek word philo meaning "beloved" and the French word mont or "mountain"; Philomont means "beloved mountain." History The village was established in the 19th century by Quakers. Minor skirmishes occurred in the area during the Civil War and troops from both sides routinely moved through Philomont. The famed Confederate irregulars "Mosby's Raiders" (also known as Mosby's Rangers) were active in the area throughout the war. Philomont lies within the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. Geography Philomont is located in the heart of Virginia's "Hunt Country," just six miles north of Middleburg and about five miles south of Purcellville. The greater Philomont area is known for horse farms, large estates, winding gravel roads, rolling hills and stacked stone walls. Philomont lies on the flanks of the relatively small Catoctin Mountain and to the west of the community lies the Blue Ridge Mountains. The village boasts an active community center, volunteer fire department and the Philomont Store as well as several bed & breakfast retreats. According to the Journal of the Philomont Historical Association the original Philomont Store opened in 1843 with the name Milhollen Brothers. Today the Philomont Store features a selection of wines, beer, and "pulled pork" sandwiches. The Philomont area has seen significant development over the past decade. The village is located in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. However, the rural flavor of the area has been largely retained. In fact it is one of only two towns in the Commonwealth which residents must pick up their mail at the General Store. The region is popular with day-trippers from the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area to the east as well as bicyclists and motorcyclists. The village is located along the scenic and historic Snickersville Pike, a State Scenic Byway. The "Pike" runs for approximately 16 miles from U.S. Route 50 in Aldie to the village of Bluemont on Blue Ridge Mountain. Annual events One of the village's seminal annual events is the Fire Department Barbecue held in May. This fundraiser features slow cooked beef with BBQ sauce and all the fixings and sides including a baked potato, coleslaw, salad and green beans. The second annual Philomont PHair took place on April 24–25, 2010. The PHair is composed of local artisans, growers, plant vendors and commercial garden-themed retailers selling garden-themed items.