Category: Extract Plant

Fire At the Boiler Plant at Teas

September 26, 2025 Admin No Comments

On Saturday, June 14, 1930, around midnight, a fire broke out in the Boiler Plant, part of the Teas Extract Plant. The fire was suspected to be arson, according to local newspaper coverage. The flames were first spotted by Robert Griffitts, who reported the fire, but by then, it was too late to save anything. The interior of the building was completely gutted by the time it was discovered. Witnesses reported that flames shot up the old smoke stack, which towered over Teas at 150 feet tall, and out from the top. At the time, the damage was considered minimal because the company had already planned to demolish the old building and sell the brick. After the fire, the walls remained standing, and the brickwork was undamaged. Mr. T. J. Maxwell reported that the total loss would amount to $300. In the aftermath, the Teas Extract Plant was demolished, and the 150-foot smoke stack was brought down with dynamite. Spectators gathered to watch, describing the explosion as reminiscent of a Fourth of July celebration. Such events were a rare sight in the area.

Communities, Extract Plant, Griffitts, Industry, Teas

Teas History & William H. Teas

March 20, 2025May 6, 2025 Admin No Comments

More than 100 years ago, the community of Teas was established and emerged. May 10, 1910, a charter was granted to the Marion Extract Company of not less than $300k and not more than $600k. The officers named on this charter were W.H. Teas of Ridgeway, PA, President and E.M. Campbell also of Ridgeway PA, Vice President. Also J.C. Campbell of Marion was named Secretary and Treasurer. Within a few days of this charter, the company purchased land in Rye Valley which was located along the line of the Marion Rye Valley Railroad. This was designated to be used for the new extract plant that would soon dominate the area. It would be one of the largest of its kind. Read more about the Teas Extract Plant here. The extract plant was expected to be in full operation by January 1, 1911. It would employ more than 100 men on startup. Teas was named for William Holmes Teas (1876-1930). Mr. Teas built a spacious home near the extract plant he would oversee which is still standing today. He was born in Patterson, NJ to the Reverend John Teas and Elizabeth M. Holmes-Teas and was a graduate of Penn State College. His father was pastor of a United Presbyterian church. He worked in and around Philadelphia for a while after graduating college until he met his wife, Margaret Hoblitzell. He later established the offices of the Marion Extract Company and then following that, the extract plant and the town of Teas. The family spent about 5 years in the area and were well known. They had 3 boys. In the photo shown, you see the home that Mr. Teas built. It was later the home of G. H. Wilson and family. (shown in photo). The Teas Extract Plant proved to be very profitable in the area and brought jobs to many. It also brought many people to the area and created a need for company housing, a couple of stores, a school and all of the community events and activities that come along with an influx of people. Teas School operated until approximately 1957 according to most. The Teas Family relocated to a home along the Chesapeake Bay where he passed away from a brief illness of influenza which turned into bronchial pneumonia on April 28, 1935. Mrs. Teas then made her home in Nashville, TN where the principal factory was then located. William Teas was interred in the West Laurel Cemetery in Philadelphia. A brief service was described in their home in Sharspoint which is near Annapolis, MD. Services were conducted at the Blair Funeral Parlors where services were conducted jointly by Dr. Goodridge Wilson of Marion, VA and Dr. Johnson, Rector of Old St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis The Teas Community prospered until production slowed; most of the chestnut trees were gone from which they used for extraction by 1930. The extract plant was eventually vacant. The company housing disappeared one by one, stores closed, the post office closed and those people then used the one at nearby Sugar Grove. Once a booming little industry town, it gradually became the quiet little suburb of Sugar Grove we have today, retaining its name.

Communities, Extract Plant, History, Industry, Teas

Teas Extract Plant

April 10, 2024May 30, 2025 Admin

Situated just outside of Sugar Grove Virginia is the smaller community of Teas wherein lies a storied chapter of industrial history – the Teas Extract Plant. Formerly known as the Marion Extract Plant, this facility was chartered in 1910 in what is now the community of Teas, just outside of Sugar Grove. The charter was granted to the Marion Extract Company on May 20 1910, with a capital of not less than $300k or more than $600k. Officers for the first year named in the charter were W. H. Teas, President, E. M. Campbell, Vice President, both of Ridgeway, PA. Also, J.C. Campbell of Marion was named secretary and treasurer. The Extract Company consisted of the following buildings: Main Building 75 x 100 Engine House 40 x 75 Barreling House 40 x 100 2 Leech Houses each 50 x 250 Chipper Shed 60 x 10 Pan House 40 x 60 Machine Shop 60 x 100 12 boilers, 200 HP each The company expected to use about 100 cords of wood each day It was The name “Teas” was bestowed upon the area in honor of W. H. Teas, the esteemed Superintendent of the Extract Plant, who left an indelible mark on the community. Read more about the history of Teas here. Mr. Teas, a prominent figure in the region, not only oversaw the plant’s operations but also built his grand residence in the heart of the community, a home that still stands today along Teas Road just past the church, serving as a testament to the area’s rich heritage. While the plant was in operation, it boasted its own company commissary, expertly managed by Mr. Charlie Keesling, catering to the needs of its workforce and fostering a sense of community spirit. During its heyday, the Teas Extract Plant employed over 2000 individuals from the surrounding area, becoming a vital economic lifeline for the community. Operating with a capacity of 300,000 gallons per day, it ranked as the second-largest extract plant globally. The plant’s operations revolved around the processing of chestnut, oak, and hemlock bark, primarily for the production of tannic acid. Unfortunately, this demand resulted in a near-extinction of chestnut trees in the region, highlighting the environmental impact of the plant’s operations. However, as resources in the area became depleted, the fate of the Teas Extract Plant was sealed. Once its supply was exhausted, the plant was dismantled, marking the end of an era for Sugar Grove and the Rye Valley area. The community, which had thrived around the plant, witnessed changes as the small houses constructed for plant workers were eventually sold off and demolished. Several community elders have told stories over the years of going outside to watch the demolition of the smokestack and likened the blasting to fireworks. It was quite a memorable spectacle to been according to most accounts given. The legacy of the Teas Extract Plant lives on through the memories and stories shared by residents, preserving its impact on the region’s history. The rise and fall of this industrial giant serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of progress and the delicate balance between economic development and environmental stewardship. As visitors explore the scenic beauty of Sugar Grove and the surrounding area, they are invited to reflectupon the legacy of the Teas Extract Plant and its enduring impact on the communities it once served. Through the contributions of individuals like Mrs. Lucille Kinkade, who graciously shared her insights, the story of the Teas Extract Plant continues to be woven into the fabric of Sugar Grove’s history, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come. Mrs. Kinkade shared this account 7/21/2018. She passed away at the age of 101 on May 23, 2023. Her obituary can be viewed here.

Communities, Extract Plant, Industry, Teas