#oldhenrico

[janewilsonrva]

By the Tobacco Barn

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Based on a photo from October 27, 2024.

This tobacco barn at Meadow Farm was originally located on another property in the vicinity. To preserve it for historical purposes, it was moved to Meadow Farm.

Tobacco was a major crop in Virginia for four centuries. It turned the failing Virginia colony into a profitable business venture, and by the end of the 17th century, the tobacco trade made Virginia the wealtiest of the 13 American colonies. By the 1840's, tobacco was exported worldwide from warehouses by the James River in Richmond. Until it became industrialized at a larger scale, tobacco was often grown and cured on family farms as a cash crop. This tobacco barn is typical of those found on family farms.

[janewilsonrva]

Late October at Meadow Farm

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Based on a photo from October 27, 2024.

I spent a few lovely hours walking around Meadow Farm and the park which surrounds it, which is a beautiful place to visit when the landscape is painted with Autumn colors. This is a side view of the 19th century farmhouse with a wooden well cover in the foreground.

[janewilsonrva]

The Smokehouse at Meadow Farm

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Based on a photo from October 27, 2024.

A typical (basic) smokehouse where salted pork would be cured (dried, hung up, and smoked) and stored in the 18th & 19th centuries. Ham and bacon were important food staples, so it was necessary to keep the smokehouse locked up to prevent theft.

Here in Virginia, ham biscuits (small, soft rolls that each have a cut piece of ham inside) is a traditional favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals.

[janewilsonrva]

Courtney Road Service Station

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from March 14, 2021.

A restored vintage "filling station" from the 1920's that served the Glen Allen community until the 1960's. Car travel and filling stations became a thing in the 1920's as the number of automobile owners increased. Canopy-style filling stations like this one were built during that era. This station was a social hub for the local community, which had a store inside.

[janewilsonrva]

The Old "Reform School"

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from March 14, 2021.

Built in 1892, this is a remnant building of what had been a reform school for "wayward boys" known as the Laurel Industrial School for Boys. Henrico County was rural at that time, and the school was surrounded by farms. It was the first public school in the entire county and was an alternative to prison. Later, in the 1920's, it was known as the Virginia Industrial School. The reform school had other buildings, but this is the only building that remains today.

[janewilsonrva]

The Old "Reform School" (2)

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from March 14, 2021.

One of two entrances in what used to be one of the main buildings at the Laurel Industrial School for Boys, which dates to the late 1800's. It was a "reform school" for boys who would have otherwise ended up in prison. It gave them a chance of rehabilitation by encouraging them learning a trade within a structured setting. The school remained there until it was moved to another county in the 1920's.

Laurel was a small rural community on Hungary Rd. just northwest of Richmond, largely dominated by the school and its various buildings. Nowadays, it's part of the suburban development outside of Richmond.

[janewilsonrva]

Walkerton Tavern

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from March 14, 2021.

Built in 1825 on Mountain Rd., Walkerton only briefly served as a roadside tavern and was primarily used as a residence. This is the rear view of the building. The Hopkins family purchased the property in 1857 and there is a small family cemetery off to the right which bears their family name. In 1864, Walkerton was used as a Civil War hospital for Union calvary soldiers. The property now belongs to Henrico County and is part of the Glen Allen Cultural Center.

[janewilsonrva]

A Time to Endure

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from March 14, 2021.

A corner of the small Hopkins family cemetery at historic Walkerton Tavern. The Hopkins family owned the property from 1857 into the 1940's. (Family cemeteries were common on large rural properties in the 1800's.) I thought the large, beautiful tree behind the cemetery was striking: a touch of old Southern Gothic.

[janewilsonrva]

A Walk through Time

Deep Run Park

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

This path follows an old railroad bed that transported coal in the 19th century to the Kanawha Canal along the James River. The coal pits were 2 miles to the northwest of this path, part of the lenticular area known by geologists as the Richmond coal basin.

[janewilsonrva]

Deep Run School House

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

This restored two-room school house was moved from Three Chopt Rd. to Pump Rd. in the 1990's. It was built in 1902 and operated until 1911. It was heated by two wood stoves; water was from a well outside; and the toilets were outdoor privies.

[janewilsonrva]

Welcome to Meadow Farm

Mountain Rd., Glen Allen

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

This is a restored 19th century Virginia farmhouse from Henrico County's former rural era. Today, the farm serves as a living history location.

[janewilsonrva]

The Old Tobacco Barn

Meadow Farm

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Photo from July 7, 2018.

[janewilsonrva]

Oak Grove (circa 1810)

Henrico County, Virginia (USA)

Originally built as a summer home and was part of a 250 acre property. According to local lore, it was used as a Civil War hospital. Located on Monument Ave., west of the Richmond city limits.