Waynesboro, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia Metalcrafters

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007

1. Virginia Metalcrafters Marker

Inscription. Virginia Metalcrafters had its first beginnings with the founding of the Waynesboro Stove Company in 1890 by William J. Loth. The company, which made ornately cast cookstoves, heaters and all accoutrements for kitchens of the period, later developed the electric Hotpoint Range. It merged with Rife Ram Pump Works, inventors in 1884 of the ram pump widely used to pump water in rural areas before electrification. In 1938, the Rife-Loth Corporation began selling finely crafted brass accessories under the name Virginia Metalcrafters.

Erected 1990 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-2-c.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 38° 3.833′ N, 78° 52.417′ W. Marker is in Waynesboro, Virginia. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 250) east of Delphine Avenue (U.S. 340). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waynesboro VA 22980, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in the Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mercury and the South River (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ecology of the South River (approx. 0.6 miles away); River Crossings & Bridges (approx. 0.7 miles away); Waynesboro (approx. ¾ mile away); Settlement of Port Republic Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Waynesboro (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fishburne Military School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Port Republic Road Historic District (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesboro.

Another marker is no longer nearby. William H. Harman Monument (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. The Legacy and History of Virginia Metalcrafters of Waynesboro.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007

2. Virginia Metalcrafters Marker

Brandland USA website entry (Submitted on November 30, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Virginia Metalcrafters Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Submitted on November 30, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Marker at Virginia Metalcrafters Showroom image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007

3. Marker at Virginia Metalcrafters Showroom

Showroom is open 9–5 Monday–Friday. Until 4 pm Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,175 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.