Early History and Settlement Room - The Age of Grain

Pioneer Wheat Farm

William M. Thayer, Marvels of the New West, 1890

The Age of Grain

The Valley was once the most valuable wheat producing area of the entire South, due to rich soils, a farming culture, and a good road system.

BREADBASKET OF THE SOUTH

The adoption of the Constitution in 1788 created a strong national government that promoted commerce and international trade. A growing market for American flour in Europe encouraged Valley farmers to improve their land. Soon a thriving population of farmers had such large surpluses that the needs of both domestic and foreign markets could be met. By the 1820s Frederick County was the leading flour producer in Virginia.

At the same time that the small family-owned farms were booming, Isaac Hite Jr. began building Belle Grove on the 483 acres that his father had given him in southern Frederick County. Within twenty years Hite had increased his holdings to more than 7,500 acres and owned more than 100 slaves.

“The fine lime stone valley of Shenandoah . . . the most beautiful, and most bountiful portion of our country.” —John S. Skinner, 1820

Image of Belle Grove in the 1800s courtesy of Belle Grove, Inc.