Browse Items (415 total)

This letter, written to Louisa County resident Josephine Neal by her mother during the Great Depression. It tells of the unusually warm weather's effect on the family and the many visitors passing through; she also tells of eating melons, family…

This metal sign, posted just a few miles outside of Louisa, was intended to lure tired travelers with the promise of meals and a night's lodging for $2.00 (plus the added attraction of a garage for those who arrived by automobile).

The Louisa…

In spite of the Depression, large scale community events such as parades and fairs were among the most popular entertainments in communities large and small.

The Firemen's Fair was held each July 4th in the Town of Louisa and included…

Normal schools provided training for teachers in the late 1880s and early 1900s. These schools lasted from six weeks to several months and provided a good overview of subjects to be taught in grammar schools. In addition, they provided teachers…

The Virginia Central Railroad was a vital link between the region just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Richmond. When vast mineral deposits were being mined in Mineral City in Louisa County, the railroad was vital for transporting shipments of…

Russell Wright with his grandfather A'lelard Watkins
in a tobacco field near Bells Crossroads, Louisa County.

Narratives from Louisa County Aircraft Spotters

Norma Trainham Peers, Green Springs District, Louisa Co, VA

Norma said that she and her husband, Millard Filmore Peers, lived in the Green Springs. Fill's parents owned a large property on the…

The PDF file to the right is based upon a powerpoint presentation funded by Dominion Virginia Power. The presentation uses photos, many from the Louisa County Historical Society archives, to tell the story of Civil Rights from the end of the Civil…

This handmade Valentine's Day card, addressed to Cousin Elizabeth, mixes rhyming poetry and a sense of humor.

Cousin Elizabeth

on the 14 day of February
it was our lots to be merry

lots was cast and tickets was drew
kind fortune said it…

These individual coupons are found on the lower portion of Number 92 bond of the Confederate States Loan, enabled by "An Act of Congress approved February 20, 1863" (cited in the original bond).

The bond was issued for $500 at 8% per year. Two…

On October 16, 1776, the four illegitimate children of Sarah Martin became apprentices to Mr. Sackville King, who operated an Ordinary known as Cuckoo Tavern. The Tavern became famous as the departure point for the Jack Jouett on his famous ride to…

This building was known as Miner's Chapel in which the miners worshiped. A movement led by the women of Mineral City, many of whom were members of the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia, founded many churches in the town by 1920. The churches sought to…

This hardware store was operated by Wallace Graves. When young, Graves was a clerk for the Arminius Mine company shore when he was threatened one might by a group of ruffians coming from a local tavern. Graves shot and killed Hollis Estes that…

This photo demonstrates the Pyrite Mines of the Sulphur Mines. A spur from the mail railroad line (constructed by the Virginia Central Railroad before the Civil War) ran to the mines in order to transport the large quantities of valuable ore they…

This image is of the Arminius Chemical Company's Sulphur Mines, one of the largest mines in the area. This mine sold its product to locations across the nation via the railroad. Thousands of tons of ore were sent out of the area each week.

In this image, a group of miners poses in the road dividing residents housing. Many of the miners lived, worked, and raised their families around the mines. Because of the entirety of their lives being based at the mines, they established churches…

This image is of the Arminius Mines. Hundreds of employees worked at the Arminius Mines, most of which were local residents. A large portion of the Arminius Mines' workers were farmers in their off season. However, some were immigrants.

This photograph shows the Sulphur Mines of Mineral. On the right side, a horse can be seen pulling a wagon while miners pick up lumber. Manual labor, similar to that seen in this image, was a common sight at the mines. The large scale of the mines is…

This image portrays the managers housing at the Arminius Mines. Managers worked underneath superintendent Albon P. Mann at the time the photo was taken. Managers housing was much larger than that of the mines workers and many homes of the time…