African American Heritage in Virginia
The Life and Legacy of Hugh Carr & River View Farm

Old Spring

Springs were significant features in the rural landscape of nineteenth and early twentieth century Virginia. Springs not only provided a source of clean drinking water, they also frequently served as storage locations for perishable foodstuffs due to their constantly cool temperatures. Because of their importance to rural families, farm roads or paths often led directly to and from them. To improve accessibility, springs were frequently cleaned out and built up, often with a small retaining pond.

One of the springs known to have been present on the original Carr property is located just off of the Blue Trail in the woods as you head downhill from behind the Barn to the reservoir.  The masonry spring box located there was rebuilt in the 1980s. The shade provided by the wooded canopy and the consistent cool temperatures make it a pleasant place to visit even on the hottest of summer days.