Lunenburg
County

Village of Fort Mitchell


Directors of "Fort Mitchell Depot Renovations, Inc.," with the assistance of Tom Rutledge, Atty., have obtained the deed to the Fort Mitchell Depot. Directors are: Doris Ray Thompson, Chairman; W. C. Thompson, Jr., Vice-Chairman; Susan Baugh Lenhart, Secretary; Betsy N. Long, Treasurer; Jerry D. Robinson, Director; Harvey Lee Hudson and David K. Bigger. The dream to restore was begun by Carter Thompson, now deceased.


Fort Mitchell Post Office was established 1875, with Paul E. Fore being its first postmaster. (see Fore family). Fort Mitchell developed as a rural trading center with the coming of the Southern Railroad from Keysville, VA to Durham, NC. The railroad tracks were being laid throughout the area when the Civil War halted construction. Work on the railroad was not resumed until about 1867. [The Chase City Progress, 4-3-75, p1-B]


Some churches in the area:

Mount Mitchell Baptist Church organized 1866 by former black members of Mount Zion. For those interred at the Mount Mitchell Church Cem., search #182 at Gerald Reinders' Burial Index.


Mount Zion Baptist Church organized 1834 (see photos), for those interred at the Mount Zion Church Cem., search #11 at Gerald Reinders' Burial Index.


Plantersville United Methodist Church constructed 1906 (see photo and article).


Salem Christian Church organized 1905 (see article).

Past businesses at Fort Mitchell:

Paul E. Fore General Merchandize


Howard G. Fore General Merchandize


Bayard Spencer General Merchandize


Jack Davis's Store


W. C. Thompson General Merchandize


Walter S. Price Blacksmith Shop


Sam Bayne's Saw Mill


Walter Spencer General Merchandize


Wiley Davis's Store


T. E. Hudson's General Merchandise (photo)

 

Where are our senior natives of Fort Mitchell?

Bernita (Price) Crowder, 83, born at Fort Mitchell, widow of Shelbon W. Crowder, (2003) lives in Colonial Heights, VA with her son-in-law and daughter, Dr. Jay S. and Shelley Goldberg. Bernita stays busy with her beautiful Folk Art paintings, some shown in galleries. (See an image of one owned by JoLee Spears.) Bernita is dau. of the late Walter Samuel and Annie Lee (Davis) Price. The Price home was near the home and store of her mother's brother, Mr.Jack Davis. All were members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.


Julian M. Fore, born at Fort Mitchell, is in his late 80's, lives (2003) in a senior village in Cary, NC. Julian is the youngest and last surviving child of the late Howard G. Fore. (Julian passed away 2005.)

Recollections: 

Ruby (Williams) Harris in her memories included her train ride to Fort Mitchell to visit relatives at Plantersville and Fort Mitchell.


See also the Fore Family Article


Childhood memories of Bernita (Price) Crowder

 

Click on photos for enlargement

Howard G. Fore in Model T

Howard G. Fore abt 1916. Fort Mitchell depot agent and merchant. Child is likley youngest son Julian.
Submitted by James Dillard

Martha Louise Fowlkes Williams and dau. Ruby waiting for train abt 1916. Man and boy not identified.
Submitted by James Dillard

Fort Mitchell Depot

Pauline E. Fore sitting on a trunk, waiting for the train.
Submitted by James Dillard

Ft Mitchell Depot in 2004
Submitted by Valerie Hudson-Arrington

T.E.Hudson's Store
Submitted by Valerie Hudson-Arrington

Hudson House in 2004
Reported to have been built by Paul Fore.
Submitted by Valerie Hudson-Arrington


Notes:  The Southsider Vol XVII, No.1, 1998, "Lunenburg Co., VA Post Offices" pp 11-16

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