HISTORY

More than half a century ago, the BLACK KETTLE MOTEL AND RESTAURANT welcomed visitors to Washington and Rappahannock.

According to a June 12, 1983 article in the New York Times, the Black Kettle Motel was open Tuesday – Sunday with weekend prices of $40 for double occupancy room. Meals were served to guests, including chicken dinners for $5.95 and prime rib for $11.95. Beer and wine were also available.

In the 1950’s it was known as the Lake Manahoac Motel:

“The interior was built with knotty pine and the rooms featured “Electromode Heat” for chilly nights. Cross-ventilation was provided for relief from the summer heat. Guests at the motel were given fishing privileges in the stocked lake and mountain stream. Reservations could be made by dialing 2943.”

From the book Shenandoah: Its National Park and Neighbors by Anne Frederick

New York Times article on Washington, VA – June 12, 1983

Prior to becoming the Black Kettle, the motel was named Lake Manohoac Motel

Photo of the Black Kettle Motel ca. 1988

Childhood Memories of Washington

Normie Davis Dickerson (in orange), and Virginia-Drucilla (Cil) Davis Knutsen (in red), reminisce about growing up in Washington during the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Interview conducted by Jimmie Debergh at the Rush River Commons Open House on March 25, 2023.

An incredible recollection of living in Washington.

Letters like this are why we are so inspired to bring affordable housing to Rush River Commons.

To Whom It May Concern,

A year ago I sent a letter via email to tmamgroup. I didn’t receive a confirmation, but I’m hoping you received it. Just in case and because it’s been a year I thought I’d write again. This time I thought I’d let you know a little something about myself and some of what I remember about Washington from years ago.

I’m 61 years old, I now live in Culpeper with a section 8 housing voucher. I lived in Rappahannock for 40 years. Some of my cherished memories are when Skippy‘s general store, the bank, and the library were all in town. It was wonderful being able to walk to places you wanted to go. The Inn back then had only a restaurant and people walking the town would comment on how they were confused that it was called an Inn but didn’t have any rooms. Before GPS, we used to get a lot of people that would come into town thinking the sign on 211 was directing them to Washington DC. When they would stop and ask for directions, everyone was always so friendly and confused that there are two Washingtons in such close proximity to one another, and always wanted to hear the story of the town, and how it was named Washington. I remember the water fountain outside the post office. It was handy because back then people didn’t carry water bottles like today.

Before GPS, we used to get a lot of people that would come into town thinking the sign on 211 was directing them to Washington DC.

When we first moved to Washington, for years there were no house numbers. You had to describe the color of the house and the shutters and what type of shrubs you had out front for someone to find you. And you could call anyone local on the phone with only four numbers, which was fun. We used to go to church in the old school house kitchen before St. Peter’s was built on 211. We would sit on folding metal chairs, and the priest would give his sermon in front of the kitchen sink. My mother is buried at St. Peter’s, and I have a spot there with her.

Volunteering and helping others has always been important to me and you meet so many wonderful people.

I volunteered with RAAC. I helped with the mailing, the concerts and auction. I sold tickets and popcorn for the movies at the Washington Theater. I did sound, lighting, stage directing and even acting for plays they used to have there. Volunteering and helping others has always been important to me and you meet so many wonderful people. I would love to volunteer in Rappahannock again.

It was wonderful when Washington used to host the Fourth of July celebration. All the vendors that would set up on Gay St. and the fireworks over the pond with the music playing. It was a small town, old-fashioned, full of patriotic spirit celebration. I remember doing the colonial dancing for the Fourth of July celebrations in town, and the colonial Christmases. Learning the dances gave my cheeks and abs a workout as we laughed so hard. For the first 20 minutes we were always bumping into one another. One year on the Fourth of July, ABC News came to the town and recorded us dancing in the pouring rain in front of the courthouse. And yes, they shared it on television, and when the men bowed their heads, all the rain poured out of the front of their hats like a spout.

From what I understand the plans for Rush River Commons remind me a bit of the Washington of yesteryear.

I remember when the Black Kettle was open and when it closed, I found it sad to see the property sit for so long unused. From what I understand the plans for Rush River Commons remind me a bit of the Washington of yesteryear. I think it will be wonderful and benefit many people in numerous ways.

I know this letter was more than a bit long-winded, but how can you describe Washington or Rappahannock in just a few words or a paragraph. There are too many wonderful memories of how Washington used to be and I didn’t even talk about how beautiful the county is year-round. How you can take in the sunsets and sunrises or how the shadows of the clouds look on the mountains. Just writing about it brings back memories that takes my breath away. I’m glad that I never took it for granted, and paused to take in the beauty so I have such vivid memories to cherish.

I hope you will consider apartments for those of us who lived in Rappahannock for most of their life and were forced to leave for lack of affordable housing. From what I understand that is who the apartments are being built for. The people who work, live, or lived for many years and didn’t choose to leave. Housing of this type has been needed for decades. It’s exciting to know there will be more options for people in need. I would appreciate being considered for an apartment as I have been looking for a place in Rappahannock since I had to leave 3 years ago and have not been able to find anything. Rush River Commons sounds like the perfect place for me to live and return home.

With best regards and a hopeful heart,

-A Prospective Rush River Commons Tenant