Equity Improvement Company of Winchester, Virginia, Collection

495 THL

Inventory created by Archives 03/1986. Last revised 10/2018.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, duplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 0.21 linear feet

DATE: 1888-1917

RELATED MATERIAL: Similar material from companies such as the Equity Improvement of Scranton, PA is filed the John Handley Collection, 522 THL.

SCOPE AND CONTENT: This collection contains organizational information, prospectuses, and stock certificates, as well as maps of Winchester including improvements proposed by the Equity Improvement Company of Winchester, VA.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: John Handley began visiting friends in the Winchester area in the 1880s. By 1888 he had decided that he wished to do something to benefit the local citizens and he subsequently established the Equity Improvement Company of Winchester, which was formally incorporated on January 25, 1890. The Company began selling stock to support a number of projects to provide employment and improve housing in the area.  However, only “The Winchester Inn” was completed. By August 11, 1899 the venture was a clear failure and the Board of Directors decided to dissolve the corporation and sell all of the property.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Quarles, Garland R., John Handley and the Handley Bequest to Winchester, Virginia, Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society, Winchester, VA, 1998, pgs. 41-52.

CITE AS: Equity Improvement Company of Winchester, Virginia, 495 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA.

ACQUISTION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift. 

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1 

News article - annual meeting of stockholders, September 23, 1891, 1 leaf, printed (photocopy)

Plan of organization, January 25, 1890, 1 page, printed

Prospectus booklet, 1890, 1 item, 2 copies, printed

Stock certificates, 1891 and 1892, 2 leaves, manuscript on printed form

Receipt for Equity Improvement Company papers, books, etc., May 12, 1917, 1 leaf, typescript (copy)

Mapcase 3, Drawer 8

"Map of Winchester, Virginia Addition, made by Equity Improvement Co.," with drawing of Hotel Winchester, by Albert von Olszewski, no date, 8 copies, 1 leaf, printed

Map, showing new addition for development in Winchester, compiled by J. Howard Gore, no date, 2 copies, 1 leaf, printed