EXPLOSIVES PLANT
The explosives manufacturing plant within Accotink Lake Park remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. Apparently it was built and located near Ditchley Station in 1884 or 1885. The Jovite Powder Works factory was located on property originally owned by the Lee family, who owned Ravensworth. It is believed that the Lees named Ditchley Station after their ancestral home in England.
It was reported in a newspaper that the plant was fully operational in 1885. It manufactured an explosive called Jovite which may have been a relatively new explosive mixture at the time. Note that jovite was still being reviewed in 1908 by Lt. Douglas MacArthur. Indications are the military wanted an explosive to put in artillery shells that did not blow up the artillery pieces.
Why was the plant where it was? It was near the old Orange and Alexandria Railroad at a forgotten station called Ditchley. What raw materials did it need or process? Apparently the plant was funded by prominent businessmen of the day.
But - it blew up in 1900. But - was that the end of it? More to come?
It was reported in a newspaper that the plant was fully operational in 1885. It manufactured an explosive called Jovite which may have been a relatively new explosive mixture at the time. Note that jovite was still being reviewed in 1908 by Lt. Douglas MacArthur. Indications are the military wanted an explosive to put in artillery shells that did not blow up the artillery pieces.
Why was the plant where it was? It was near the old Orange and Alexandria Railroad at a forgotten station called Ditchley. What raw materials did it need or process? Apparently the plant was funded by prominent businessmen of the day.
But - it blew up in 1900. But - was that the end of it? More to come?
The pentagon shape in the map below indicates the believed location of the Jovite plant based on old deed information.