Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], New River Investment Company Deeds, Ms2008-073, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The New River Investment Company Deeds were donated to Special Collections.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the New River Investment Company Deeds occurred in September 2008.

Administrative History

Due to the promise of the railroad and its concomitant industries, Radford, Virginia underwent a boom in the early 1890s. This boom resulted in the formation of land development companies, land speculation, and increased northern interest in the area

The New River Investment Company was chartered in Virginia in 1889 for the purpose of developing land in Montgomery County. W. C. DeArmond served as president of the company while A. J. Hemphill served as secretary. Connected to the railroad, the company's papers are now housed at the Norfolk Southern Corporation archives.

The Radford Land and Improvement Company was created around 1891, during the land speculation boom. The company developed much of west Radford.

Scope and Content

The New River Investment Company Deeds document land ownership in Radford, Virginia, in the early 1890s. Materials include one signed deed from 1890 and three drafts of a deed from 1892. Corporate contractual parties include: the New River Investment Company, the Radford Land and Improvement Company, and the Radford Investment and Development Company. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, appears on several contracts and indicates outside interest in the area. Restrictions on land development appear in the 1890 deed and prohibit the owner from operating a tavern or slaughterhouse, manufacturing alcohol or gunpowder, breeding pigs, or opening any form of a factory. The 1892 drafts lift a vendor's lien, which is the seller's ability to reclaim property if the buyer neglects payments.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Deeds
• Legal instruments (Legal documents)
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Montgomery County (Va.)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the New River Investment Company Deeds by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).