Overview

Trying to pinpoint the opening and closing of a business, and especially its location, is not simple. One of the most practical methods to use in documenting commerce is via advertisements in the local newspaper. Although a newspaper has been published in Tappahannock since at least 1852, there are decades during which no issues survive. By using extant newspapers and many other source materials listed herein, the author has created an alphabetical list of business and artisan names and inserted sequential reference citations. With these entries one can assess during what minimum span of years a business operated - but still, the location of that business may be unknown. Keep in mind that these references represent a point in time where there is evidence of a business. References are not necessarily an exact chronology, as scant information was found about some businesses, while other businesses advertised weekly. And, who owned the building doesn't necessarily relate to who ran a business there. Tappahannock got its last big commercial boost with the 1927 construction of the Downing Bridge across the Rappahannock River to Richmond County in the Northern Neck. Local resident ""Rip"" Rouzie claimed that the Trianon Dance Hall, which he opened and operated here in the 1930s, was an additional drawing card. In the 1970s the town quadrupled in size when it annexed 1,783 acres from Essex County and boosted its estimated total population to about 1,500. In 1986, there were 133 separate businesses in the county that participated in a high school project [RT 20 FEB 1986: B12]. The focus here is on retail businesses that might have a store front. Less attention is given to partnerships, financial or legal associations, or private services. Those categories not generally shown include agencies, attorneys, churches, consultants, organizations, public schools, and many other professionals. Locations are presumed in Tappahannock unless otherwise noted. A handful of references to persons licensed to keep a tavern (ordinary) in the 18th Century have been included because those operations may have evolved afterwards. An index to full-names, places and subjects adds to the value of this work.

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