See also:
About Hibbs Bridge
Who Was Major William Hibbs?
Hibbs Bridge Dedication Ceremony
Hibbs Bridge on BridgeHunter.com
Wheat was quickly established as the county's cash crop. Numerous grist mills processed the grain into flour for local use. Small hamlets were established in the county, but there were few real population centers. Quakers established the village of Philomont and the small community of Mountville grew up around the house of Ezekial Mount.After the Revolution, new grain markets in Europe increased the profitability of cereal farming. In addition to grist mills, larger merchant mills were built, where flour was packed in barrels and exported to Alexandria.
Developments in transportation during the first half of the 19th century included turnpikes, canals, and railroads. Turnpikes in Loudoun County linked the western part of the county and settlements beyond the Blue Ridge with markets in Alexandria and Georgetown. The Snickers Gap Turnpike was completed in 1813, extending from Aldie to Snickers Gap along the old Colchester Road, and a tollgate for the turnpike was located near Mountville.
Hibbs Bridge was built over Beaverdam Creek on this road between 1822 and 1835. Stephen P. Hibbs and William H. Hibbs were operating the mills along Beaverdam Creek by 1852. In 1857, the Hibbs purchased the property at Beaverdam Bridge on the Snickers Gap Turnpike consisting of a Merchant mill, saw mill, Dwelling House and two lots adjacent to the Merchant mill. It was during this period that the bridge over Beaverdam Creek became known as Hibbs Bridge.
From A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of the Proposed Route 734 Bridge Replacement, William and Mary Archaeological Project Center, October 4, 1990.
See also:
About Hibbs Bridge
Who Was Major William Hibbs?
Hibbs Bridge Dedication Ceremony
Hibbs Bridge on BridgeHunter.com
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