Harrell, Joel E., Son
Also known as: #133-5138
Why it's listed
Brick and concrete buildings beside Shingle Creek, east of downtown Suffolk, Virginia, once housed the Joel E. Harrell and Son pork processing plant, maker of "Ye Old Virginny Ham". Designed by the Cincinnati Butcher's Supply Company in 1940 and 1941, the one-story complex was laid out for an efficient sequence from hog pens through slaughtering, curing and cooling to packing and shipping. Floors sloped to drains, walls were glazed tile or plaster, and steel windows and a roof monitor provided light and air. Additions followed in 1946 for smokehouse space, in 1955 for coolers and shipping, and in the 1970s. The hog pens are gone, but the office, main building and a repair shop survive. Fire in July 2005 damaged the eastern part of the main building during rehabilitation. The plant is recognized as a rare surviving example of the small family slaughterhouses that shaped Southeastern Virginia's ham industry, with a period of significance of 1941 to 1955.
Significance in brief: The facility is significant under Criterion A as an increasingly rare example of the small family-based pork processing plant once common in Southeastern Virginia. Joel E. Harrell and Son produced the well-known "Ye Old Virginny Ham". The plant shows the efficient, sanitary, industrialized slaughterhouse layout that became standard by the mid-twentieth century.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001580, listed February 1, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 110 Virginia Ham Dr., Suffolk (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk |
| Listed | February 1, 2006 |
| Reference number | 05001580 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1941-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Cincinnati Butcher's Supply Company |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitation was in progress. A fire in July 2005 destroyed the roof and part of the east wall of the main building; the office, 1946 and 1955 additions and repair shop were not damaged. |
| Acreage | 5.7 |
| Coordinates | 36.74446, -76.55831 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001580.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16892121
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.