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Sanborn 1905, 1898 Fire Insurance Maps

Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection
 

Industrial History

     From the establishment of a tannery in 1796 until the sale of the Blue Grass Milling property in 1956, the hollow where Montwell Commons is located was the industrial center of Lewisburg.  At various times the Withrow Tannery, the Donnally Glove Factory, several flour mills, the Lewisburg Milling and Electric Light Company, the Greenbrier Creamery, the Greenbrier Canning Company, and the Bluegrass Supply Company had been located on the property.  Water for those businesses was supplied by the Andrew Lewis Spring on the west side of Jefferson St. and the Beirne Spring which is located on the hillside to the east of Lafayette St., just above the PSD pumping station.  Ice for the creamery came from the Greenbrier River.

     A walking/audio tour of Montwell Commons gives you the opportunity to explore the property and learn about its history.

 

     The following pages contain excerpts from deeds and newspaper clippings that give us a glimpse into those businesses, individuals, and features of the property.  As you look around Montwell Commmons, you can imagine what the daily activity, sounds, and smells must have been like back in the day.

     References to the Lewisburg & Ronceverte Railway and the early Ronceverte electric companies are also provided.

     Approximately 50 deeds have been photographed and transcribed and the originals are on file in the County Clerk's Office in the Greenbrier County Courthouse.  Transcribed copies  are available on request. 

 

     Special thanks are extended to the North House Museum Archives staff of the Greenbrier County Historical Society for their assistance in researching  the archives of the Greenbrier Independent newspaper, first published in 1852.

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