Post-war Expansion

The Mill grew many times since it was first opened. In an April 2010 conversation with Bill Beckstoffer, I learned that a large expansion took place after World War II. He described how the truck loading building, the work room, the kiln, the boiler, the saw dust storage area and several sheds were all added during this time. Prior to this expansion, there were only 3 or 4 buildings on the site.
It's clear that the expansion had been planned for several years. Henry first started acquiring the surrounding homes on 28th Street in 1938. In September of that year, he purchased 4 homes (1223, 1225, 1227, and 1229 N 28th) from the estate of William H. Taylor. Court documents show that Henry bought the adjacent property at 1231 N 28th from Madeline Cheesman and A.L. Cheesman and other family members on January 16, 1942. It's not clear if there was still a house on the property at that time. In May 1944, Bernard and Herman purchased a portion of the Beckstoffer's property on the west side of the street (1224 - 1230 N 28th).
At that time Herman and Bernard played a major role in running the mill and they worked with the City of Richmond to close an alley that ran between R and S streets (meaning through the middle of the site). City records show that this was closed by ordinance on August 18, 1948.
It's assumed that the number of staff and orders placed all increased dramatically as a result of this expansion.

University of Richmond unveils a new building

Last week, University of Richmond (UR) held a media tour for its latest building, Queally Hall. This is a 37,000 square foot addition to the business school.

To read more about this, click on the below link. http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2011/03/17/queally-hall-is-open-for-business/

UR and Beckstoffers Mill have a long history together, one that goes back almost 60 years. In May 1954, records show that the Mill sold a large millwork order to Claiborne & Taylor for the UR Law School shown to the right.

In 1955 they sold another job to this same contractor for the UR Library.

In 1965, millwork was sold to Taylor & Parrish (T&P)- the builder who built Queally Hall - for the Refectory Building in October 1965 and $10,500 order in August.

In October of 1970 Thomas Nuckols placed a $32,000 order for UR's Dorm #6 and in October of the following year T&P did a small job (just over $1,100) in the University President's Office.

Presumably some of the contractors who placed orders at the Mill continued to do work at the University of Richmond, but that post will have to come another day.