In Our Backyard

During the mid-19th century, travel through Loudoun County was difficult since many roads were muddy during wet seasons, and using horses to ride or pull wagons was slow. The C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad in Maryland both offered  travel/shipping options to those near the Potomac River who could cross it when river conditions permitted.  But the canal was prone to shutting down during droughts and freezes, and crossing the river with cargo was risky and cumbersome.

Loudoun’s huge network of old and largely unpaved rural roads and bridges is both a scenic and historic treasure and a major maintenance challenge. 

The types of corruption and violence that accompanied Prohibition in Loudoun and surrounding counties was seen all across the country, and magnified many times over in the cities. 

The people of Loudoun County have had a robust relationship with the alcohol industry for centuries. In 1774, two years before the start of the Revolutionary War, George Washington signed a deed allowing John Mercer to operate a distillery as a part of his mill in Aldie. Recognizing the financial success of the Aldie distillery, Washington built his own near Mount Vernon.  

By Larry Malone Part 1 of a 2-part series Did you find yourself spending more time walking, hiking and biking