Virginia recovery

[bankerpapaw]

How long did it take northern Virginia to recover physically (forest, crops, homes) after the Civil
War?

 

[ole]

Good question. I have no idea.

 

[Dave Wilma]

You might compare the agricultural figures from the U.S. Census between 1860 and 1870 and then 1880. I think that there was an increase in productivity each decade, but I think it's safe to say that the increase is not what it should have been.

 

[TerryB]

You might compare the agricultural figures from the U.S. Census between 1860 and 1870 and then 1880. I think that there was an increase in productivity each decade, but I think it's safe to say that the increase is not what it should have been.

Really good record keeping by the Census Bureau came later than 1870. I wrote a paper about share-cropping for a college class and found that out, but don't remember the details. Share-cropping was one of the main ways recovery in the South was possible, and it was well underway by 1867.

 

[DaveBrt]

I did not keep the reference, but someone did a study of that question using the census numbers for agricultural tools and machinery as a proxy for the improvement of the farms.