James T. and Laura B. Polk began by canning tomatoes on their kitchen stove in 1872 and built what became the largest cannery west of Baltimore. For many years, “Polk’s Best” canned vegetables were sold worldwide. The huge factory stood just south of this site, and one four-story building housed a hall and library known as the Social Institute, a center devoted to the cultural and educational betterment of the community. The factory burned in 1906, was rebuilt in 1907, and was sold in 1919. Its last owner was Stokelys, which continued canning from 1930 to 1959.