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One of the very oldest family homes in the Shenandoah Valley is that of the Crains. The members of the family have lived in several
locations in the valley and do so today. Our pictures here are of the Berthal Crain home, the old tank house and the barn. The tank house was a familiar ranch building. The tank was
the water supply for the home and cattle. By being set in a raised position, gravity could ensure that the water would flow where needed. Usually, in earlier times, a gas engine or a
windmill would provide the power to take the water from the ground well up to the tank.
This farm is still operated by Berthal Crain's son, Jack.
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The house shown in the photo is much as it is today. It has been added to three times since it was built.
The 72 acres which comprise this farm belonged to George and Elva Brown, the parents of Phydella Brown, who married Berthal
Crain in 1921 or 1922.
George built this house just prior to that event. Upon marriage the Browns gave the farm to Berthal and Phydella Crain.
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Water was carried by bucket from about 300 yards at the bottom of the hill behind the house. This was the sole water supply until
about 1929 or 1930. Then the tank house was built and water was pumped up into the tank. By this time, first son Leslie was five or six years old and Jack was three or four.
The original barn was much larger than the one shown and was built by George Brown. Mysteriously, it burned down one
summer night about 1943. The one shown was built by that winter with the help of neighbors. It is in a different location on the property than the original.
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