1950-2000: Industrial era
Morton Frozen Foods, 1953-2000
In 1953, Morton Frozen Foods (later acquired by ConAgra) took over the Crozet Cold Storage facility and converted it into a frozen-food production plant.
At its peak, Morton/ConAgra was Crozet's flagship employer with more than six hundred employees. The plant produced frozen pies, dinners, and other prepared foods on a national scale. It defined the town's economic identity for nearly five decades.
The facility closed in 2000, eliminating those six hundred jobs in a single round. The closure could have produced a long industrial decline; it did not, because Crozet was already in the early stages of becoming a Charlottesville exurb. The Master Plan that followed in 2004 codified that transition.
Frequently asked questions
What period does Morton Frozen Foods, 1953-2000 cover?
This entry covers the 1950-2000: Industrial era period of Crozet, Virginia history. See the History page for the broader chronological frame, including Claudius Crozet, the Blue Ridge Tunnel, the orchard era, and the modern planned-community phase.
Where can I learn more about Morton Frozen Foods, 1953-2000?
The Crozet Library local-history collection, Albemarle County records, and the Crozet Gazette archives are the best starting points for deeper research on Crozet history. The /history landing page links to additional entries organized by era.
Is this an authoritative history?
Claudius Crozet synthesizes from public sources rather than producing original archival research. For academic citation, work from the primary sources listed below the article. We aim for accurate dates and verifiable facts, but encourage readers to confirm against the original record.