pathway for the Underground Railroad . During the Civil War , Quaker villages were spared from hostilities since the Quakers refused to take sides . Along the way , you ’ ll pass through Quaker hamlets of bygone days including Hughesville , Northfork and Greggsville .
Historic Transportation Features
A Luten Bridge on Quaker Lane , near Unison , where it crosses Beaverdam Creek . Luten Bridges , built at the turn of the century , were made of poured concrete and could easily be installed in a remote location .
building remained vacant and deteriorating , until it was purchased by Coe and Maria Eldridge , who renovated the structure and turned it into an office .
Sadly the economic recession of the early 2000s forced the office to close and a year or so later , the store was put on the market , its fate once again uncertain . In 2013 , local philanthropist Baroness Betsee Parker purchased the Unison General Store and donated it to the community . The store now serves as a community focal point , and is used for events , art classes and as a yoga studio .
Quaker History in Loudoun
On the most northern section of these ride routes , you ’ ll pass through Quaker settlement areas just south of the village of Lincoln . Quakers emigrated to Loudoun from Pennsylvania , settling this central part of the county in the mid-1700s .
Photo by Douglas Graham / WLP
Quakers were industrious farmers , bringing their knowledge of wheat , grains and milling , which became the backbone of Loudoun ’ s wealthy rural economy . By the 1850s , there were over 70 waterpowered mills in Loudoun County , making it one of the richest counties in the state . At harvest , farmers would gather grains from the fields and haul it by wagons to the mill . In fact , connecting fields to the village mill was the origin of most of Loudoun ’ s gravel roads .
Quakers were also known for their progressive social views . Education was a mainstay of their society and Quakers established some of Loudoun ’ s earliest public schools , valuing education equally for both boys and girls . Quakers were early believers in racial equality as well . Southern Loudoun was a slave-owning economy but Quakers eschewed slave labor . In Antebellum Loudoun , some Quaker communities provided a secure
Some of Loudoun locals ’ favorite things about the gravel roads are their unique features . Where else can you travel along a statemaintained road and have to cross a creek to get to the other side ?
Enjoy the ford along Jeb Stuart Road . This path , traveled by farmers and militia alike , is one of the most pristine stretches of road in western Loudoun . Notice the narrow lane on the north side of the creek . Etched by years of continuous travel , the lane now sits much lower than its high banks .
Keep your eye out for other unique features such as the singlelane Luten Bridges , made of concrete and built at the turn of the century when the buggy was more common than the automobile . Luten Bridges feature a distinct , poured concrete , single-arch construction that could be easily installed in a remote location .
You ’ ll also cross “ low water bridges ,” the farmers ’ answer to a bridge before the establishment of a state-maintained road system . Low water bridges are designed to flood during the rains and take less engineering skill ( therefore farmer-designed and built ) but work perfectly during normal weather conditions . There are not many low water bridges left in the state .
Stone walls are one of Loud-
40 wander I spring • summer 2023