2026-05-14T17:50:39-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories https://shenandoahstories.org 2016-06-15T11:49:16-04:00 2018-12-18T12:15:51-05:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/128 Shenandoah County Library In 1747, Hans George Lantz left Germany and eventually settled on 470 acres along Stoney Creek in Shenandoah County. The area he arrived in had been occupied by Native Americans for several centuries. Though some Europeans had already come here, Lantz and his family would come to dominate the area. George Lantz would own and operate a farm in this community, then called Swan Pond Hollow, until his death in 1793. His son, Jacob, and eventually his grandson George, continued this operation. The dynamics of the community in which they lived changed in the early 19th century when a grist mill opened in the community. This mill utilized the water power of the creek to grind local farmer’s crops into flour. Originally it was owned by Peter Holler, who had received a Lord Fairfax land grant along the waterway. Records indicate that his neighbor, George Lantz, purchased the mill in 1824. His family would operate the mill for the next 72 years. Other individuals soon began opening commercial establishments in the area. Jacob Clem constructed a large general store in the late 19th century that supplied the community with almost every good until it burned in 1942. A large furniture factory and woodworking shop was operated by the Christian brothers during the first part of the 20th century. Other businesses, such as a blacksmith shop, shoemaker, cider mill, cannery, and barber shop also existed here. Social activities were popular in the community. A large band existed during through the late 20th century. They held regular concerts that were attended by residents from throughout the county. These concerts also featured community festivals, games, ice cream socials, and many other activities. After the Second World War, Lantz Mills began to decline. Community members began to leave for towns and cities while enhanced transportation meant individuals could get goods and services elsewhere. The roller mill closed in the early 1970s and other businesses followed quickly. Today it is a residential community occupied by approximately 100 people. For more (including 12 images), view the original article. 2016-06-14T18:38:31-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/125 Shenandoah County Library The village now known as Conicville appears in the historic record in the 1850s. At the time, descendants of Jacob Rinker, an early settler, were the primary residents. Early accounts indicate that Jacob’s daughter, a “Mrs. Hickle,” was a large land and slave owner at the time the village was first referenced. Originally the community was known as Cabin Hill. It was renamed Conicville in 1892 when the post office arrived and needed to create a name different its already operating Cabin Hill post office. By 1864 the village had developed its distinctive cross axis linear layout formed by Conicville and Senedo Roads. That same year oral history records note there were three houses in the community. By 1885 that had increased to 10. In 1871 the first store, founded by Conrad Long a Pennsylvania, opened. During the latter part of the 19th century two general stores, a bowling alley, blacksmith shop, foundry, wagon shop, doctor’s office, school, and law office operated here. Two churches, United Brethren and Reformed, opened around the same time. By the 1920s, the community’s primary business was death. Three members of the Dellinger family operated separate undertaker and casket making shops in the community. One of these, Pete Dellinger, would go on to found Dellinger Funeral Homes in Mt. Jackson and Woodstock. Conicville began to decline after World War Two as a more mobile community moved to larger towns and cities. Overtime all local businesses but the Conicville Store closed. Today, the only remaining community organization is the Conicville Fire Department which was founded in 1967. For more (including 9 images), view the original article.