Pembroke - town website

As far back as researchers can determine the first white settler to make a permanent home close to what is now Pembroke was Philip Lybrook who came with his family from Pennsylvania some time between 1748 and 1755. His family originated in Holland and the name there was Leibroch. The Lybrook family settled at a point along the New River at about the place where Sinking Creek flows into the New River.

In 1765 John Snidow, his wife, Elizabeth, and eight children consisting of five sons, Philip, Christian, John, Theopilus, and Jacob, and three daughters, Barbara and two small girls (killed by Indians in 1774) started from Pennsylvania to settler near their friend Philip Lybrook. Earlier that year John had visited Philip and liked the area. He decided to get a grant of land in what is now Pembroke.

On their way to Pembroke they met up with some friendly Indians who fed them a good supper. John like the meat so much that he asked them what it was. They told him it was rattlesnake. He died soon after, whether from overeating, shock, or whatever, no one knows. Elizabeth and her children continued on their way and made it to Pembroke. Much of the original land granted to this family is still in Snidow possession and they are direct descendants of Philip and Elizabeth.

Other early settlers in this area include the Chapmans, the Johnstons, and the Burkes. In 1845 John Lybrook, descendant of Philip Lybrook, named the town. He was the postmaster at this time and he had been reading a book, possibly Shakespeare’s Sonnets, which was dedicated to the Earl of Pembroke. He ran across the name Pembroke and thought it sounded pretty. He hung a board with the name PEMBROKE written on it on the post office building. In 1948 the town of Pembroke was incorporated and the first mayor was Captain T.P. Smith. In 1968 the new town hall was completed.

Pembroke sits on the New River with the backdrop of Castle Rock. Castle Rock has an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, outside shelter, fifteen tables, two charcoal grills, and special rates for students and seniors. Also located in Pembroke are the Cascades and White Rocks.

The Cascades National Scenic Trail follows Big Sandy Creek upstream to a breathtaking view of Little Stony Creek cascading over a 69-foot high rock wall creating a pool below. The Cascades is a favorite hike for tourist and is approximately two miles of moderate terrain.

White Rocks Recreation Area, located in the Jefferson National Forest has 49 sites with tables and flush toilets and is set among hardwoods near a trout fishing creek and nature trail.