Our History

English settlers arrived in the Rappahannock area

Official colonization began

Area residents join Culpeper Minute Men under John Thornton

Woodville was formed

Rappahannock separates from Culpeper County

Union army occupies the county

Confederate army marches through

US government votes to abolish slavery

John Jackson, Piedmont Bluesman, was born in Rappahannock County

Tornado touches down in Woodville

John Jackson began performing at folk festivals, touring the country and then the world

Lanes purchased large tracts of land in Rappahannock

Eldon produces corn, timber, and combination Jersey/Hereford cattle

Bill Lane told the Washington Post, “I’ve told my children that if they ever have to sell land to raise money, it’s a time for them to take a good, hard look at themselves in the mirror.”

Jackson received the national heritage fellowship

Began genetics based cattle operation

Eldon enters the world of Agritourism and hosts the first John Jackson Festival

The stewardship of Eldon Farms passes from the Lane family to the Akre family