Kingsmill History | Map of Area

In 1969, August Busch II, president and CEO of Anheuser-Busch, sent his son August Busch III to Virginia to look for a new brewery plant site. Originally the company had an option to buy land in Newport News, Va. However, Winthrop Rockefeller, then Governor of Arkansas and Chairman of the Board of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, convinced Busch II to purchase a large parcel of land near Williamsburg, Va.

Anheuser-Busch purchased approximately 3,900 acres of land, including 3,600 acres from Colonial Williamsburg and additional properties from 13 owners who held small parcels in the same vicinity. At the time, the property was being acquired chiefly as a brewery plant site. As part of the agreement, Anheuser-Busch agreed to build a theme park on the site, similar to the Busch Gardens theme parks in Florida and California to help boost tourism to the Williamsburg area. However, a local minister from a nearby church objected to the brewery's close proximity and to avoid any conflict, the company located elsewhere. When the present site was being considered, Anheuser-Busch went to the First Baptist Church on Scotland Street to ask the minister if he had any objections.
The minister gave his opinion that "the Bible may say we shouldn't eat pork, but it doesn't say we shouldn't raise hogs." Thus, the brewery was built.

To help determine the best use of the land consistent with established standards, Anheuser-Busch hired developers and engineers, who determined that the company needed to acquire Camp Wallace, a U.S. Army area of 160 acres to completely integrate the property. In a land swap exchange, Busch II gave the government a larger parcel of land, which adjoined Fort Eustis, and promised not to develop the Camp Wallace acreage for a period of years. Kingsmill Resort's Woods Course and some of Jefferson's Hundred are on that site today.

Anheuser-Busch's initial investment was $40 million, the largest investment ever made by an out-of-state company. The plant opened for business in 1970 and shipped its first barrel of beer in 1972. Since then, the plant has expanded repeatedly and today represents investments of nearly $500 million with nearly 1,000 employees at an annual payroll of over $56 million.

In 1970, Busch Properties was formed as the real estate development and management subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch to provide a wide range of corporate real estate services to its parent company, and to handle the development of various corporate and industrial parks in the U.S. Early on, Busch Properties drew up a Master Plan that provided the layout of the main roads and large multi-family parcels. The plan which called for keeping 40 percent of the area green spaces is in effect today, and property values have increased because of it.

Archaeological discoveries were being made along the way and Anheuser-Busch gave a grant to the James River Institute of Archaeology. Archaeologists made discoveries that led to the restoration of the sites of the Kingsmill and Pettus Plantations, and Burwell's Landing. Many of the artifacts recovered are on display in the Kingsmill Conference Center.

On October 3, 1973, the Kingsmill Community Services Association was incorporated. This signaled the beginning of a new era for Busch Properties as lots in the community were sold to builders and potential home owners. Many street names in Kingsmill were named after colonists who received grants of land in 1619, such as Richard Kingsmill, John Jefferson and William Fairfax.

Since then, Kingsmill has grown to a mixed population of about 5,000 retirees and families. Many people who initially purchased their lots in 1974 still own their properties today. Present developments of River's Edge luxury town homes and River Bluff's luxury condominiums could add an additional two to three hundred units by the year 2001. Other plans for future construction are dependent on a bald eagle nesting in a treetop in the middle of a prime 52-acre site near the river. At this time, Kingsmill has been environmentally cognizant of preserving this site for this majestic feathered creature.

Kingsmill Resort is totally separate from the residential area, however there is no question that the 400-room resort is considered part of many residents' lives and the history of Kingsmill on the James. The resort was incorporated in September 1975 to coincide with the grand opening of the Kingsmill Golf Club which today has more than 1,200 members. Other features of Kingsmill Resort include the Kingsmill Marina facility, Tennis Center, The Kingsmill Conference Center, The Sports Center, The Spa at Kingsmill and four restaurants.

In July 1975, the River Course, presently home of The Michelob Ultra Championship at Kingsmill on the LPGA Tour, opened. It was designed by Pete Dye. At the time, Judy Rankin was the touring pro. Completed in 1985, Arnold Palmer designed the Plantation Course on the colonial historical site of Kingsmill Plantation. The Woods Course followed ten years later and was designed in conjunction with Tom Clark. Many nationally known sports and show business figures, including Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton have played at Kingsmill Resort.

Kingsmill has been home of the Michelob Championship since July 1981. It was moved from Napa, California where it was called the Anheuser-Busch Classic.

Since its humble beginnings of a purse of only $300,000 and attendance of 49,360, the tournament has grown to a purse in 1998 of $1.55 million and attendance of 142,500. Although Curtis Strange has not been a top winner of this tournament, he leads the pack in placing among the top ten in the past seven years. Twice he's won third place.