The Sylvania Plant

In 1929 it was announced that the Sylvania Industrial Corporation would build a factory on the edge of Fredericksburg.¹ This plant came to be known as the Sylvania Plant and would primarily produce cellophane throughout its years of production. Throughout the Great Depression the Sylvania Plant proved to be immensely important to the people of Fredericksburg by providing them with stable jobs which helped offset the financial hardships brought forward by the Great Depression.² The financial stability offered by careers at the Sylvania Plant enticed many from local areas outside of Fredericksburg to move to Fredericksburg with the hope of finding a job. All the benefits brought forward by the Sylvania Plant earned it the name of the “Salvation Plant” by one source.³ 

¹ “Location of New 1,000,000 Plant is Announced,” Peninsula Enterprise,  May 25, 1929, Chronicling America.

² Lee R. Coleman and Frasia D. Trice, An Economic and Social Survey of Spotsylvania County (University of Virginia, 1934), 49, HathiTrust.

³ Ibid.

*The image of Sylvania Plant on the Rappahannock river is courtesy of the Rappahannock Heritage Center

The Sylvania Plant is located on the 11900, 11800 and 11700 blocks of Main Street in Fredericksburg Virginia.¹ The location of the plant proved to be very advantageous due to it having three different ways that its products could be transported. The first two ways are by land, one being by the local railroad and the other being route two. The final way was by water due to the Rappahannock river being just north of the plant.²

¹ The Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, VA, “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Sylvania Plant Historic District”, SG100004980. Virginia Department of Historic Resources 

² Lee R. Coleman and Frasia D. Trice, An Economic and Social Survey of Spotsylvania County (University of Virginia, 1934), 49, HathiTrust.

*The image overlooking Sylvania Heights and neighboring houses is courtesy of the Rappahannock Heritage Center

Cellophane was the main good produced by the Sylvania Plant during its period of production.¹ Cellophane is a material primarily used in the production and preservation of food. The material allows for food to be protected from outside bacteria.  

¹ Lee R. Coleman and Frasia D. Trice, An Economic and Social Survey of Spotsylvania County (University of Virginia, 1934), 49, HathiTrust.

*The image “Cellophane Your Largest Industry Benefits the Entire Community” is courtesy of the Rappahannock Heritage Center