Other westward explorers following the south fork of the Hardware River named that region South Garden. North Garden and South Garden can be geographically described as two natural "bowls" with higher ground between them. The fertile bottom land soils, surrounding mountain forests, and adjacent Hardware River provided the basic needs for early settlers and opportunities to trade and prosper.
After the Revolutionary War, more and more settlers crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to live in the Shenandoah Valley and Trans-Allegheny region. A way of transportation connecting the east and west was needed to accommodate the increasing population, and so the Staunton or Rockfish Gap Turnpike was authorized in 1818. Bisecting the southwest quarter of the county, the turnpike linked the port of Scottsville on the James River directly with the Shenandoah Valley and its many agricultural products. The high ground between North and South Garden emerged as a regional hub when the new Staunton or Rockfish Gap Turnpike created an intersection with Old Lynchburg Road. Locals called it the Crossroads. In 1818, the Sutherland family built the Crossroads Tavern on the corner of Rt. 29 and Plank Road (Rt. 692) for travelers and farmers using the Staunton and James River Turnpike.
Bundoran Farm evolved from several traditional large land holdings in this part of the county. Tobacco farming, apple orchards and cattle were all part of the original legacy that would one day evolve into Bundoran Farm.
