13 “SINCE 1881” The Story of Bank of Clarke County The year was 1881. The Civil War had been over for 16 years. President Garfield had just been inaugurated on January 20th and the first electric power company had been built in New York’s Manhattan borough. Thomas Edison was granted a patent on the first incandescent light bulb. Frederick W. M. Holliday was Governor of Virginia. And plans were underway for a new community bank in Clarke County. Clarke County was a rich, bustling Virginia community. The population in 1881 was 5,145 white residents and 2,537 black residents. The total value of real estate in the county was $2,654,912.50. Personal property was valued at $674,205.00. Expenses for the county in 1880 totaled $3,277.40. Clarke County was an extremely high-quality agricultural area, with land selling for $30 to $50 an acre. The wheat grown was among the finest in the state, with the average per acre value exceeding any other crop, averaging 15 bushels per acre and graded as #1 in the Baltimore markets. Indian corn, rye and oats were also farmed in large quantities. Grapes and small fruit thrived. The raising of cattle was extensive since the Washington, Baltimore and New York markets were so convenient. A number of large mills operated in the county, manufacturing fine grades of flour that found ready sales in northern markets. Ores mined from the mountain included copper, iron, red and gray hematite and lead. Since there were no iron furnaces in Clarke County, ore was shipped to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Excellent quality marble was also extracted. Logging was extensive on the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and provided material for a wood pulp mill in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The mountainside also provided quality grazing for sheep and cattle, as well as perfect growing conditions for peaches. Clarke County became a summer vacation destination for boarders from Washington and Baltimore who perceived the county as a great location with low rates. Steadily increasing interest caused the Washington, Ohio and Western Railroad to add a stop in Berryville. Berryville served (and continues to serve) as the county seat for Clarke. 1,500 residents called Berryville home and its Shenandoah Valley Railroad station was considered one of the most important stations in the line. Surrounded by rich and fertile land, Berryville had four macadamized roads leading into town. The graded public schools employed two male and 2 female teachers. Private schools were highly accredited and 7 churches accommodated the believers. Dr. J. W. Downer provided dental services in Berryville. Ammashaddi Moore, B. C. Taylor and Marshall McCormick practiced law. Gibbs and Hutchinson operated a livery stable, P. W. Boyd and Co. provided hardware and building materials, Jno S. Richey and Co. conducted a millinery and grocery store and A. S. Lippett and Co. dispensed coal. Clarke County was without a bank after the failure of the Bank of Berryville