Curles Neck Plantation
Curles Neck Farm | |
Location | 4705 Curles Neck Rd., Henrico, Virginia |
---|---|
Coordinates | 37°23′14″N 77°17′46″W / 37.387258°N 77.296241°W |
Area | 156 acres (63 ha)[2] |
NRHP reference No. | 09001222[1] |
VLR No. | 043-0035 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | December 22, 2009[1] |
Designated VLR | December 17, 2009[3] |
Curles Neck Plantation (also known as Curles Neck Farm) is located between
As "Curles Neck Farm", a 5600-acre property was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[1][2]
History
In November 1635, a year after the formal designation of
The source of the name Curles Neck is unknown. Many people thought that the name derived from the meandering sweeping curves of the tidal James River in the area, which can clearly be seen by map. However, the family name of Curle is recorded in various grants over a span of one hundred years in the books at the State Land Registry Office. A prominent representative of that family was the patriot Wilson Roscow Curle of the Revolutionary era.
Seat of Nathaniel Bacon
In the early 1670s, the property was owned by
Revolutionary and Civil War periods
During the mid-18th century, John Pleasants donated the first
20th century
Industrialist C. K. G. Billings bought the property in 1913 and built it into one of the most important horse breeding farms in the country.
The next owner, A. B. Ruddock, started Curles Neck Dairy, which began retail operations in 1933. By the mid 20th century Curles Neck Farm under the ownership of Fred Watkins who purchased the property in 1943 had become one of the largest dairy suppliers in the eastern United States. The company's plant in the Scott's Addition section of Richmond held processing and distribution facilities, and a small retail store. The operation lasted until 1980, and generations of school children toured the large dairy barns.
Eastern Airliner crash landing
On Thursday 19 July 1951
The captain recognized Curles Neck Farm, selected the largest field, and landed straight ahead with the flaps up and the landing gear retracted. He felt it inadvisable to make any turn, lower the flaps, or otherwise to change the flight configuration, since the cause of the severe buffeting was unknown. During the last few moments of flight, as the nose of the aircraft touched high corn in a field, the copilot and flight engineer cut all switches. A power line pole at the edge of the corn field was struck by the right wing as the aircraft passed under the wires. After passing over Curles Neck Road, a section of fence was torn down and the aircraft skidded 1,100 feet through a field, another fence, and finally came to rest in a pasture 265 feet from the second fence at 15:59. A localized fire developed outside of the No 4 engine, but was quickly extinguished by rain and the local fire department who arrived at the scene within a short time.
There were no fatalities as a result of the emergency landing, and the Civil Aeronautics Board determined the probable cause of the accident to be the in-flight opening of the hydraulic access door, which caused extreme buffeting of the aircraft and resulted in the captain's decision to make an emergency landing. The airframe was salvaged, and removed from Curles Neck aboard a barge that was towed down the James River. The aircraft was repaired and put back in service but was ultimately written off after suffering another accident in 1953.[4]
Archaeological digs
During excavation, archaeologists uncovered the foundation of Captain Harris's house, dating between 1635 and 1654, and portions of a later house probably occupied by Bacon. Landscape features include intricate terraces and traces of tunnels down to the James River which could be used as an escape route from potential invasions by Native Americans.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Announcements and actions on properties for the National Register of Historic Places for January 15, 2010". Weekly Listings. National Park Service. January 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ a b Nancy W. Kraus (August 26, 2009). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Curles Neck Farm / DHR File No. 043-0035 / Curles Neck Plantation" (PDF). Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2017. Retrieved 2010-05-06. and Accompanying six photos at Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, undated
- ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ "Accident description: Eastern Airlines Flight 601." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: September 28, 2014.