Five Mile Fork, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Five Mile Fork, Virginia
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Unincorporated community
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  From left to right: The site of Brumley's Store, Archie Sexton's Barber Shop, and Hudson's Market.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County | Spotsylvania |
Five Mile Fork is a small, unincorporated community located in Spotsylvania County, in the state of Virginia in the United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but isn't officially a city or town with its own local government.
Contents
History of Five Mile Fork
Five Mile Fork is about five miles west of Fredericksburg. After World War II, many houses were built here, starting in 1946 and continuing into the 1960s. These homes were for working families in the area.
Growth and Development
When the I-95 highway opened in 1965, it made it easier to travel to Washington, D.C.. This brought more people and development to Five Mile Fork. By 1980, the area was growing fast and becoming less rural. Spotsylvania County's population actually doubled between 1970 and 1980, with much of this growth happening along the main road, Route 3 (also known as Plank Road).
Local Stores and Shops
Over the years, a few important stores served the people living in Five Mile Fork. These were places where families could buy food, supplies, and even get a haircut.
Brumley's Store
Brumley's Store was a very old store, even older than many of the houses in Five Mile Fork. It was open from 1933 to 1985. E.C. Brumley and his wife, Vera, ran the store for many years.
This store sold all sorts of things, from different kinds of beans (like pinto and lima) to dry goods and even old-fashioned items like buggies and harnesses. It also had a single gas pump. E.C. Brumley was also a blacksmith, meaning he worked with metal and even cared for horses' hooves (called "farrier work"). The Brumley family lived right behind the store. They also raised hogs and held fun "turkey shoots" for the community. Today, the old store site is part of a church parking lot.
Hudson's Market
Hudson's Store was another important place in the community. It was located on Old Plank Road. After 1966, this store also became the local post office for the Chancellor area, with Mrs. Laura Sorrell serving as the postmaster.
Foltz's Grocery
The third store in the area was called Foltz's "Five Mile Fork Grocery." It was a small building on Route 3 and was run by Evelyn Foltz.
Sexton's Barber Shop
For many years, the only place to get a haircut in Five Mile Fork was Archie Sexton's Barber Shop. Mr. Archie Sexton was the only barber there, even though he had two chairs. The shop closed in the late 1970s. Today, the old barber shop building is used as a place to repair appliances.
