Port Republic in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

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Port Republic Foundry

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 11, 2015

1. Port Republic Foundry Marker

Inscription. The Port Republic Foundry was one of the leading industries of the town. Prior to the ﬂood of 1870, a Mr. Holbrook operated a foundry shop where the notched sickle for the original McCormick Reaper was made. Although the original shop washed away in the ﬂood, it was rebuilt and later purchased by William M. Groah and George W. Cash in 1888. In 1900 Mr. Groah purchased the interest owned by Mr. Cash. The Foundry was engaged in casting pots, kettles, stoves, wagon springs, window weights, door stops, wheel hubs, plow points and their associated parts. Iron cooking utensils from the foundry are still in use in the area today. They do not have an identifying mark but are distinguished by the rim on the bottom of each pan which is said to prevent cracking. The Foundry provided a ready market for scrap iron which was recycled in a most efficient way using coke as the smelting fuel, which did not pollute the air.

A horizontal water wheel powered by a mill race was installed in 1903 to increase efficiency. The waterpower was used to drive the huge blower that supplied air to the cupola. The Foundry supplied water

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power to the town for electricity when the Port Republic Electric Light Company was organized 1916. The Foundry's water power was used to drive the electrical machinery until the electric company transferred its charter and machinery in 1926. The Foundry ceased operations in 1945 upon the death of William Groah.

(captions)
(top) Horses and wagon loaded with plow points made at the William M. Groah Foundry in the background.
(bottom) Left to Right: Bob Meyerhoffer, William Groah, Harvey Scott, Luther Sipe

This plaque erected by: The descendants of William & Lucy Viola Connell Groah

Erected by The Society of Port Republic Preservationists, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 17.552′ N, 78° 49.106′ W. Marker was in Port Republic, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It was on Water Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Port Republic VA 24471, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 11, 2015

2. Port Republic Foundry Marker

this marker was in the Shenandoah Valley.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Madison Hall (about 800 feet away); Riverside Graveyard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Palmer Lot at Middle Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); The Frank Kemper House (approx. half a mile away); Port Republic Battlefield (approx. half a mile away); North River Bridge (approx. half a mile away); The Point (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Port Republic (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Republic.

Other markers no longer nearby. Madison Hall (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026

3. Port Republic Foundry Marker

Marker text is missing.

it); a different marker also named Riverside Graveyard (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Frank Kemper House (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Historic District (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named North River Bridge (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Port Republic Museum. The Society of Port Republic Preservationists, Inc. (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 997 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.