February 11, 2019 / Joanne Yeck

Buckingham County Business: Prices, 1920

Sugar & World War I

On January 1, 1920, Charlottesville’s Daily Progress printed year-end financial news Buckingham County including the fact that farmers had sold a good percentage of their tobacco crops, raising prices to a new high. “From fifteen dollars to sixty-five dollars has been paid for the dark tobacco raised in the section, and wrappers have sold on the local markets as high as one dollar a pound.”

The newspaper went on to note that this money was circulating throughout the county. Foodstuffs were plentiful, only sugar had been scarce. Merchants were receiving notes from wholesalers stating: “No sugar to be had. Will ship sugar as soon as we get some.” Neighbors were sharing with each other and this shortage was not yet considered a hardship.

Prices were generally high, though hog meat was an exception. Revenue from sales was not covering the cost to raise the swine.

Coming next: Buckingham County Business: Wages, 1920