The 1705-14 part of Winchester is located in what is now the Old Town section of Winchester, Virginia. During this period, Winchester was a growing market town and the center of military and governmental activity in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1754 the town was established as the county seat of Frederick County, Virginia. This time period was a period of expansion and development, with many new buildings like the courthouse, public market, and taverns being constructed. Commerce flourished, with a bustling tobacco trade. As the seat of government, Winchester was also the location of many political and social events ranging from election protests to revolutionary meetings.