Our History
Glenwood is nestled in the heart of Woodford, Virginia. Woodford is a small “railroad” town spanning two counties with a rich and fascinating history dating back to the arrival of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in 1836.
Long before Woodford was known as such, the area was known as Downer's Crossing, a place for crossing the Mattaponi River. But in 1837, the town was renamed Woodford's Lane, in honor of William Woodford, a distinguished American Revolutionary War general.
As the train began to run through Woodford, the town started to take shape. Passengers would signal to the conductor by waving a handkerchief during the day or a light at night, and the train did not usually stop in Woodford. But the train's presence and the addition of a general store and post office were the first steps in the town's growth.
By the first decade of the 1900s, Woodford had a population of 30 citizens, but by 1925, the population had grown to over a hundred. And one of the main reasons for this growth was the establishment of a mill founded and run by Mr. Lyons, that produced excelsior, a product made from soft pines that was used to pack furniture and fragile items for shipping, to stuff cushions for automobiles, and to reinforce gypsum wall boards. Mr. Lyons would build three homes in Woodford during his lifetime, the final of which was Glenwood, his primary residence.
Today, Woodford is a conveniently located rural community filled with deep family roots, amazingly rich farmland, tree farms, and abundant relaxation for all who call it home. The Town continues to be a small but vibrant community with a rich history
