This photo of a young boy herding turkeys is in the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture’s downstairs exhibit called “Home Grown: Botetourt’s Agricultural History.” It was taken around 1930 at Marshall Etzler’s turkey farm in the Mount Union area. At the time there were several turkey and chicken farms throughout the county. For convenience there was a poultry processing plant in Troutville. The Etzlers also raised hogs and are well known for their country hams.
This photograph is courtesy of VPISU, VCESC, DLA and is on Page 62 of Debra Alderson McClane’s book “Images of America Botetourt County” published in 2007 by Arcadia Publishing Company. Her book includes lots of historical photographs with descriptions and is available for $26 in the History Museum bookstore on Fincastle’s Main Street.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
