These 7 Rare Photos Show Virginia’s Tobacco History Like Never Before

The history of Virginia’s tobacco industry is equal parts extensive and complicated. On the one hand, the crop helped fuel the state’s economy for several years, as hard-working individuals labored over its cultivation. John Rolfe himself began the tobacco industry in 1612, turning the “golden leaf” into the state’s most profitable crop. And on the other hand, the tobacco was grown by slaves who were subject to cruel conditions and were never compensated. And then, of course, there’s the matter of the health risks associated with the industry and its products. Nevertheless, this unique plant has played a major role over the course of Virginia’s history and these photographs provide us with an important insight.

Wikicommons

This photograph shows farmers selling tobacco leaves at the corner of Virginia and Cary Street.

Wikicommons

This photograph shows the sorting of the tobacco plant by African American women in a Richmond warehouse.

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Wikicommons

In this photograph, tobacco farmers from the surrounding areas have brought together the finest of their crops to sell at auction. These kinds of sales were often made very quickly, and paid on the spot in cash.

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Wikicommons

Richmond held the National Tobacco Festival each year during the fall from 1948 - 1984. It was often held in conjunction with college football games of major rivalries, such as UVA and Virginia Tech.

Wikicommons

This National Historic District in Danville contains over 500 contributing buildings. In the early 20th century, Danville served as an especially important tobacco processing site.

Taber Andrew Bain/flickr

Tobacco Row was once the location of tobacco warehouses and cigarette factories in downtown Richmond. Today, these spaces have been renovated and most are used as apartments and loft spaces.

Wikipedia

A glimpse into a contemporary tobacco field. By 2000, the number of acres of tobacco plants in Virginia had already decreased to nearly 1/6 of the original. Today, these numbers continue to decrease as farmers look towards other crops and farming methods to support their business.

What are your thoughts on the evolution of the Tobacco industry in Virginia? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!