Bedford County Treasure!!

Johnson’s Orchards is indeed a Bedford County treasure. Located right beside the Peaks of Otter Winery, you can pick your own apples, peaches, nectarines, and plums or buy fresh picked with the work all done! The Winery and the Orchard are owned by Danny and Nancy Johnson. The land has a long history with the Johnson Family. So it only seems fitting, that a mystery from long ago is often retold at the Orchard. The Mystery of Beale’s treasure!

Sometime around 1820, a man named Thomas Jefferson Beale is said to have buried a treasure worth over 30 million dollars (present day valu) in Bedford County, VA! The Beale Treasure has been legend for years! Johnson’s Orchard has been featured on Unsolved Mysteries, the BBC, Travel Channel and FOX for their ties to the treasure! Mr. Beale left ciphers to disclose the treasure and its location. Only the cipher for what was in the treasure has been broken! The key to that puzzle was the US Declaration of Independence!

If you can decode the remaining ciphers, you can find the location of the vault. The treasure vault supposedly holds gold, silver and jewels! Danny Johnson has people ask if they can dig for the treasure, as long as they fill out the paperwork and promise to fill the holes back in, he is usually pretty accommodating. The Winery has even created a wine in honor of the legend called “Golden Nugget Pear”. Now that treasure is a little bit easier to come by!

The treasures you find at Johnson’s Orchards and at the Peaks of Otter Winner are legendary! From award winning wines to the fruits of fall, there is something for everyone! So if you are in the mood for a mystery; grab a bottle of wine and the remaining Beale ciphers and see if you can break the code! While you are here, don’t forget to enjoy the Bedford Wine Trail! Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! Vicki Millehan can help you find your treasure in Bedford County! From luxury homes to waterfront properties, she is your local real estate expert!