Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company Records, 1890-1892, SC 0299, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from Tim Abbott Americana in November 2019.

Administrative History

Jacob Reese, an industrialist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, purchased land (including Lithia Spring) near what is now Waynesboro, Virginia and on December 6, 1889, in partnership with several other developers, incorporated as the Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company. The company owned more than 2,000 acres on both sides of the South River and east to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Basic City, Virginia was incorporated as a town on March 3, 1890 at the approval of the Virginia General Assembly. The town purchased land from Basic City Mining for $25,000. Samuel Forrer (1838-1916) served as the company's president with J. A. Wise as treasurer, M. A. Booker as secretary, Edward McMahon as first vice president, C. A. Holt as second vice president, and Edward Echols as third vice president.

The town of Basic City merged with Waynesboro in 1924 at the recommendation of the state legislature's Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns.

Scope and Content

The Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company Records, 1890-1892, comprise one folder of financial records documenting the activities of Augusta County's Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company. Documents include invoices; receipts; cancelled checks; a prospectus of the Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company; and other assorted financial records. As treasurer of Basic City Mining, J. A. Wise frequently received and/or signed the aforementioned documents. Billheads for Basic City Mining, Manufacturing, and Land Company and Basic City Iron Works are included.

Arrangement

The documents are housed in one folder.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Augusta County (Va.) -- History
• Billheads
• Business records -- Virginia -- Augusta County
• Checks (bank checks)
• Financial Records
• Industries -- Virginia -- Augusta County
• Invoices
• Prospectuses
• Receipts (financial records)
• Waynesboro (Va.) -- History