This region of the Shenandoah Valley was initially settled in the 1730’s. The Harrison and Keezle families were both early arrivals and settled in different parts of what would become Rockingham County. The area around what is now Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg was owned by the Harrison family. Either because of the rock faces along Blacks Run or because the thing that arose in greatest abundance as a result of clearing and plowing the land was rocks, this area came to be known as Rocktown. Trade routes that crisscrossed the Shenandoah Valley intersected at Rocktown and what would become Keezletown. When Rockingham County was established by the General Assembly both families wanted to solidify their position as trade centers by donating land to the County for a Courthouse near their familial holdings. Legend has it that the families agreed that a race to Richmond by representatives of each family would determine the County Seat. The first one to arrive and present a petition to the General Assembly would receive the designation of county seat near their family’s holdings. Thomas Harrison and a Keezle family member departed for Richmond on fast horses. Harrison’s petition was filed first with the General Assembly because Keezle stopped at a Tavern along the way for a little liquid refreshment. As a result, Rocktown was renamed Harrisonburg and became the county seat in 1780. Its dominance as a regional trading center was insured. While this story is only legend, we decided to name this establishment the ROCKTOWN GRILL in honor of Harrison’s diligence and Keezle’s dalliance. We hope you will stop by often and dally with us in memory of Mr. Keezle.