According to local history, Custer’s Mill, Virginia was established in 1808 near the present day location of the Broadway Presbyterian Church. As with many early settlements, this little community started beside a body of water– the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. In addition to the mill, the Custers owned a store and perhaps a post office. The town’s proximity to the river junction made it a strategic point for trade. In the 1850’s, the railroad was extended to the Custer’s Mill area, causing the little town to boom with commerce and activity.
But alas, this prosperity was not to continue. History tells us that in 1864, General Philip Sheridan and his army marched into the Valley with one agenda: to “destroy the breadbasket of the Confederacy.” Custer’s Mill was one of the casualties of the mass burning.
Sometime after Custer’s Mill was destroyed, the town was renamed “Broadway.” The most famous legend (and perhaps true story) of how the town got its new name tells of a place so rowdy and unruly that local visionaries prophesied that the town was on the “broad way to destruction.” Taverns and brothels began to spring up in the little village. Another local tale reports that one local tavern owner chained a black bear to a tree outside his establishment — a sure deterrent to an overabundance of revelry!
Our fictional town of Custer’s Mill has similar characteristics of many small towns scattered through the southern United States: quirky characters, political squabbles, religious differences, and ethical dilemmas. But most importantly, the folks genuinely care for each other (well, most of them do!) We hope you will fall in love with our little village and its inhabitants, and that their antics, struggles and victories will encourage you to visit many times!
But alas, this prosperity was not to continue. History tells us that in 1864, General Philip Sheridan and his army marched into the Valley with one agenda: to “destroy the breadbasket of the Confederacy.” Custer’s Mill was one of the casualties of the mass burning.
Sometime after Custer’s Mill was destroyed, the town was renamed “Broadway.” The most famous legend (and perhaps true story) of how the town got its new name tells of a place so rowdy and unruly that local visionaries prophesied that the town was on the “broad way to destruction.” Taverns and brothels began to spring up in the little village. Another local tale reports that one local tavern owner chained a black bear to a tree outside his establishment — a sure deterrent to an overabundance of revelry!
Our fictional town of Custer’s Mill has similar characteristics of many small towns scattered through the southern United States: quirky characters, political squabbles, religious differences, and ethical dilemmas. But most importantly, the folks genuinely care for each other (well, most of them do!) We hope you will fall in love with our little village and its inhabitants, and that their antics, struggles and victories will encourage you to visit many times!
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