Near Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Brooke, Virginia
Photographed By Kevin White, August 28, 2007
1. Brooke, Virginia Marker
In 1921, Jethro Kloss opened this Health Food Factory. It was on this site that he started writing “Back to Eden” the ground-breaking guide to herbal therapy.Jethro Kloss is considered by many to be the father of the organic health food movement.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 23.194′ N, 77° 22.847′ W. Marker was near Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker was on Brooke Road (County Route 608) 0.1 miles south of Andrew Chapel Road (County Route 629), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1735 Brooke Rd, Stafford VA 22554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Mt. Hope Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Union Army Winter Camp Remains (approx. 1.3 miles away); Union Infantry Winter Camp (approx. 1.3 miles away); Eleventh Corps Encampment Area (approx. 1.3 miles away); Potomac Church Road
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is across the street from Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church. The building it marks is between the Church and the Brooke Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail station. Note the marker is made out of wood, possibly locally constructed.
Also see . . .
1. Back to Eden. 1939 book by Jethro Kloss on Amazon.com. “If you read Back to Eden, you’ll see that Jethro Kloss was way ahead of his time. He advocated a diet high in fruits, vegetables and grains and with minimal meat, caffeine, fat and sugars. Some of his treatments will seem dated (fomentations or hot packs) but some are still in use in holistic healing centers around the world today. He also recommended living a spiritually healthy life, realizing again that health comes from a totally integrated lifestyle, where body, mind and spirit are in harmony.” (Submitted on August 31, 2007.)
2. Jethro Kloss and Back to Eden: Work with Soyfoods. A brief biography of Jethro Kloss centered on his work with Soy Beans. (Submitted on February 5, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
3. A Son’s Recollection. A foreword by Eden Pettis Kloss in the Revised and Updated Edition of Back to Eden, tells of the factory and its surroundings in Brooke, Virginia. (Submitted on February 6, 2008.)
Photographed By Kevin White, August 28, 2007
2. Brooke, Virginia Marker
The "Health Food Factory" can be seen in the background. As there are large unique novelty items in the windows, it appears to currently house a curiosity shop. No hours were posted.
Michael Miller Collection,
3. Nuto Can Label
“NUTO. Composed of Nuts and Grains.” “Strictly Vegetarian. Brooke Health Food Company, Brooke, Virginia.”
Michael Miller of Washington D.C. reports “In the book Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, his son or daughter talk about leaving Brooke and moving to Takoma Park, Maryland. I used to buy Nuto at a Seventh Day Adventist Health Food store in Takoma Park in the 1970’s. I stopped seeing Nuto ages ago, but saved the label for its quirky value.”
Michael Miller of Washington D.C. reports “In the book Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, his son or daughter talk about leaving Brooke and moving to Takoma Park, Maryland. I used to buy Nuto at a Seventh Day Adventist Health Food store in Takoma Park in the 1970’s. I stopped seeing Nuto ages ago, but saved the label for its quirky value.”
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,457 times since then and 199 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week March 30, 2008. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 6, 2008. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
