From Farm to Factory . . . And Beyond

The Economic History of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, 1720-2020, chronicles the transformation of a 1700s backcountry frontier into one of the fastest growing regions in twenty-first century America. The author's research builds on previous studies of wheat cultivation, iron furnaces and woolen mills and sheds new light on other economic activity in the eight Shenandoah Valley counties directly south of the Potomac River.The book highlights the important role the Northern Shenandoah Valley's strategic location and 300 years of infrastructure improvements played in its economic growth. The author provides fresh perspectives on how the region's leaders responded to outside competitive forces by building a diversified economy that benefits from its proximity to the rapidly growing metro Washington, D.C. area.