History of Blackstone

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Blackstone in the state of Virginia began long before its official recognition. Initially, the settlement was known by the distinctive name "Blacks and Whites". This name arose thanks to two competing taverns owned by Mr. Schwartz (translated from German as "black") and Mr. White, which were located at the intersection of important roads. The city received its modern name in 1888 in honour of Sir William Blackstone, a distinguished English jurist whose works had a major influence on the legal system of the USA.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small crossroads into a thriving city was driven by several important circumstances:

• The Railway: The construction of the railway line became a catalyst for growth, connecting the local farming community with major sales markets.
• Geography: Its location in the fertile Piedmont region created ideal conditions for agriculture.
• Trade: Thanks to convenient logistics, the city quickly became an important trading hub for the surrounding plantations.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Blackstone's economy was based primarily on the tobacco industry. The city became famous as a major market for dark tobacco, which attracted traders and entrepreneurs. Cultural life also flourished: Blackstone established itself as an educational centre of the region following the opening of the Female Institute and the Military Academy, which contributed to the formation of an intellectual and developed urban environment.

History of Blackstone in Dates

• Mid-18th Century — Founding of the settlement under the name "Blacks and Whites" in honour of the owners of two local taverns.
• 1829 — Opening of the post office, officially securing the status of the settlement.
• 1864 — The cavalry "Battle of the Grove" took place in the vicinity of the city, becoming part of the events of the Civil War.
• 1886 — The settlement received its modern name Blackstone in honour of the famous English jurist Sir William Blackstone.
• 1888 — The city was officially incorporated, and local government bodies were formed.
• 1894 — Opening of the Female Institute (later the College for Girls), making the city an important educational centre.
• 1912 — Foundation of the Blackstone Military Academy, which existed until the beginning of the Second World War.
• 1942 — The United States Army created the Camp Pickett training camp (later Fort Pickett), which significantly influenced the development of the region.
• 1950 — Closure of the College for Girls; its buildings were subsequently used as a Methodist centre.
• 1990s — Transfer of control of the Fort Pickett military base to the Virginia National Guard following reorganisation.
• 2014 — Selection of the base as the location for the Department of State's Foreign Affairs Security Training Center.
• 2023 — Official renaming of the military base to Fort Barfoot in honour of Colonel Van T. Barfoot.

Major Development Milestones

The development of the city of Blackstone proceeded unevenly, alternating between periods of agrarian calm and sharp leaps in urbanisation. Several key stages can be highlighted that shaped the modern appearance and economy of this place:

• Railway Impulse (Mid-19th Century): The laying of a railway line through the local crossroads was a turning point. This event turned a group of scattered farms and taverns into a fully-fledged transport hub, giving local producers access to the markets of Richmond and Norfolk.
• Era of "Dark Tobacco" (Late 19th — Early 20th Century): The rise of the city as a centre for the trade of a specific variety of tobacco brought significant capital to the region. The economic boom of this period gifted the city its famous Victorian architecture: wealthy merchants built mansions that today form the basis of the historic building stock.
• Educational Renaissance (Turn of the Century): The opening of the Female Institute and the Military Academy changed the social structure of the population. For several decades, the city acquired the status of an intellectual and cultural centre of the region, which stimulated the development of the urban environment and public spaces.
• Military Industrialisation (1942): The creation of Camp Pickett (later Fort Pickett) in response to the entry of the USA into the Second World War caused explosive population growth and demand for housing. The city's economy reoriented from agriculture to the service sector and supporting the military contingent.
• Preservation of Heritage (Late 20th Century): Official recognition of the historical value of the city centre and its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places helped stop chaotic development. This decision preserved the cosy atmosphere of "Old Virginia" and laid the foundation for tourism appeal.
• Modern Modernisation (2010s): The construction of the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) became a new driver of growth. Major federal investments breathed life into local businesses and the hospitality sector, ensuring labour market stability.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of the city of Blackstone serves as a visual chronicle of its economic bloom, which occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The urban development of the settlement was closely linked to the railway, which determined the structure of the streets and the location of the commercial centre. Today, the city's historic district is included in the National Register of Historic Places of the USA, representing a beautifully preserved ensemble of provincial American construction of that time.

Eras and Styles

Most of the iconic buildings were erected during the "tobacco boom", when wealthy merchants and planters sought to demonstrate their status through architecture. In the city's appearance, several dominant trends that succeeded one another can be distinguished:

• Victorian Era (1880–1900s): The most vibrant period in development. Residential quarters abound with Queen Anne style mansions. They are characterised by complex asymmetrical facades, corner turrets, spacious wrap-around verandas, and an abundance of decorative wooden elements ("gingerbread" trim).
• Colonial Revival (1900–1940s): As the city matured, tastes shifted towards stricter classics. Buildings of this period, often public or large residential ones, are distinguished by symmetry, red brickwork, and white porticos with columns.
• Craftsman Style and Bungalows (1910–1930s): In residential areas, one can often find cosy one-and-a-half-storey houses with low pitched roofs and wide eaves, reflecting the nationwide trend towards functionality and simplicity before the Second World War.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The urban fabric of Blackstone is clearly zoned: a compact business centre with dense development sits adjacent to green residential streets where houses are immersed in gardens.

• Historic Business District: The heart of the city, where commercial buildings from the turn of the century are concentrated. Brick shop facades with large display windows and decorative metal cornices create the atmosphere of traditional America.
• Former Female Institute Building: A monumental structure, now used as a conference centre, is an architectural landmark. Its scale and neoclassical elements recall the time when the city was the educational centre of the region.
• Residential Mansions on Main Street: The city's grand street is lined with the most luxurious villas of tobacco magnates, demonstrating a variety of architectural solutions — from Neo-Gothic to Eclectic.

Although Blackstone is a small city, the fates of people who have had a noticeable influence on the politics, culture, and history of the USA are connected with it. Below are the prominent individuals whose names are forever inscribed in the chronicles of this region.

• Sir William Blackstone (1723–1780)
  English jurist and legal scholar
  The man who gave the city its name. His fundamental work "Commentaries on the Laws of England" became the basis for the American legal system. Although Sir William himself lived in Britain, the residents of the city immortalised his memory by choosing his surname as the name for their settlement in 1886.
• William Hodges Mann (1843–1927)
  Governor of Virginia (1910–1914)
  The last veteran of the Civil War to hold the post of state governor. Mann lived in Blackstone for a long time, where he served as the first county judge and headed the local bank. He played a key role in the development of the local economy and the region's education system.
• James Cannon Jr. (1864–1944)
  Bishop and public figure
  He led the Blackstone Female Institute, turning it into a prestigious educational centre. Cannon was one of the most influential political figures of his time, acting as the main lobbyist for "Prohibition" (dry law) and the leader of the Anti-Saloon League.
• Bea Arthur (1922–2009)
  Actress and comedian
  The future star of the cult series "The Golden Girls" and an Emmy Award winner spent a year in Blackstone. She studied at the local college for girls, where she actively participated in the drama club, taking the first steps towards her brilliant career.
• Van T. Barfoot (1919–2012)
  Colonel, Medal of Honor recipient
  A hero of the Second World War, whose service was closely linked to the local National Guard training base. In 2023, the former Fort Pickett, located near the city, was officially renamed Fort Barfoot in honour of his outstanding military merits and personal bravery.
• Booker T. Spicely (1909–1944)
  Serviceman
  A native of Blackstone whose tragic death became an important episode in the history of the struggle for civil rights. His death drew widespread attention to the issue of unjust treatment of African American soldiers and contributed to the growth of the human rights movement.