Mennonites first entered the northern Shenandoah
Valley about 1730 and settled in present-day
Rockingham and Augusta Counties by the 1770s.
They initially worshiped in private houses. The
original Trissels Church (also known as Brush
Church) . . . — — Map (db m173210) HM
This flagpole is dedicated to: Sgt. Claude Reedy of New Market, VA, who died in a POW Camp in Korea Jan. 1951 and…
And to: Pvt. James "Pete" McKenzie of Quicksburg, VA killed in action . . . — — Map (db m158145) WM
In honor of all Veterans who served their country and dedicated to the men and women of this area who served our country in World War I — World War II — Korea — Vietnam — Desert Storm — and peace keeping missions, and . . . — — Map (db m158147) WM
Early on June 8, 1862, Union commander Gen. John C. Frémont
viewed the field at Cross Keys and without proper reconnaissance
assumed that Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s left flank was the strong side
of the Confederate line. Frémont ordered his . . . — — Map (db m25549) HM
Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewell had five artillery batteries with him at Cross Keys. Four batteries and a 2-gun section (about 18 guns total) were massed on the ridgeline to your front. At the time of the battle on June 8, 1862, the ridge was . . . — — Map (db m25550) HM
During the Civil War, this battlefield contained some of the most productive
farmland in the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia, as it does today. At
the time of the battle, these fields were in stands of wheat, buckwheat, rye,
corn, and clover. . . . — — Map (db m25551) HM
General R.S. Ewell with 8,000 soldiers of General Stonewall Jackson's army repulsed a Federal attacking column of 10,500 under General John C. Frémont. After initial success the Federals were checked by the fire of Confederate artillery. Attacks by . . . — — Map (db m46563) HM
On June 8, 1862, Confederate Gen. Isaac R, Trimble led part of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment through the then-swampy ravine in front of you to attack Union Gen. Louis Blenker’s division. Trimble intended to move around the 54th New York . . . — — Map (db m154621) HM
After repulsing the initial Union attack, Confederate Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s brigade heavily engaged two brigades of Union Gen. Louis Blenker’s division near here on June 8, 1862.
During the afternoon fighting, Col. James A. Walker’s . . . — — Map (db m154622) HM
Many immigrants fought for the North and the South during the Civil War. Their numbers were especially high in Gen. Louis Blenker’s division of Gen. John C. Fremont’s Union army at Cross Keys on June 8, 1862.
Two Germans (Gen. Henry Bohlen and . . . — — Map (db m154624) HM
On June 8, 1862, during the Battle of Cross Keys, Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s Confederate brigade of a little more than 1,500 men occupied this line, a masked position behind a split-rail fence in what was then a wood line to your right and left. . . . — — Map (db m159602) HM
Here, June 8, 1862, Gen. J. C. Fremont—pursuing Gen. T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson—was checked by Gen. R. S. Ewell with part of Jackson’s army, which lay towards Port Republic. Federals engaged: 12,750, killed and wounded: 684. Confederates engaged: . . . — — Map (db m4056) HM
This cemetery and adjoining church yard were part of the 450 acre farm of John Kiblinger. Deeded to trustees of the Union Church by his son Jacob Kiblinger. Deed book 19, page 342 — — Map (db m236255) HM
This church, Mill Creek Church of the Brethren, stands on the site of an antebellum house of worship that, during the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862, was used as a hospital. Amputated arms and legs were dropped outside from a window and piled . . . — — Map (db m154641) HM
Following Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s victory at Winchester, Union troops pursued the Confederates south, “up” the Shenandoah Valley. While Gen. John C. Fremont advanced on the Valley Turnpike, another Union force, led by Gen. James . . . — — Map (db m154642) HM
During the Civil War, the Daniel Bowman Mill occupied this site, grinding wheat brought here by Rockingham County farmers. The county was part of the prosperous agricultural region known as the “breadbasket of the Confederacy.” It was no . . . — — Map (db m129377) HM
In the fall of 1864, attacks by Confederate raiders and bushwhackers angered Federal officers in the Shenandoah Valley. On September 22, Union soldiers captured a hapless man named Davy Getz near Woodstock who was wearing civilian clothes and . . . — — Map (db m16440) HM
Here on the old Swift Run Gap Road on the evening of October 3, 1864, Union Lt. John Rodgers Meigs was killed in a fight with three Confederate scouts guided by local resident Pvt. Benjamin F. “Frank” Shaver, 1st Virginia Cavalry. Meigs, of Gen. . . . — — Map (db m15121) HM
The death of Union Lt. John R. Meigs, near the granite marker on the hill in front of you, unleashed a firestorm of retaliation. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, erroneously told that civilian “bushwhackers” had killed Meigs, reported to Gen. . . . — — Map (db m15123) HM
The first church in Rockingham County was built on this site in 1747 on land owned by Captain Daniel Harrison of the colonial militia. Serving as a "Chapel of Ease" for Augusta Parish, the first building is believed to have been built of logs. The . . . — — Map (db m32106) HM
Daniel Harrison settled about 1745 at the headwaters of Cook’s Creek where it is believed he built the stone portion of the present house. During the decades 1750-1770, when this area was the frontier of the colony, the house served the settlers as . . . — — Map (db m16441) HM
In memory of Lt. Col. Thomas F. Wildes, 116th Ohio Regiment, who, when ordered by Gen. Sheridan to burn the town of Dayton, Va. in retaliation for the death of a Union officer, refused to obey that order, risking court-martial and disgrace. His . . . — — Map (db m88643) HM
Dayton is the birthplace of Shenandoah University,
which traces its origins to a school established
by the Rev. Abram P. Funkhouser in 1875. Known
in its early years as Shenandoah Seminary, the
coeducational institution benefited from . . . — — Map (db m173164) HM
This plaque designates the former location of Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and is dedicated in honor of the community that served the many students, faculty, and staff who passed through its halls. The new campus and . . . — — Map (db m238470) HM
English American settler Daniel Harrison owned
hundreds of acres in this area in the mid-18th century.
and Presbyterians built Cooks Creek Church near
here ca. 1750. German Baptist Brethren began moving
to the Shenandoah Valley from Maryland . . . — — Map (db m207784) HM
This is the approximate site where Union Lt. John Rodgers Meigs was killed in a fight with three Confederate scouts on October 3, 1864. In retaliation, General Philip H. Sheridan ordered that buildings over a large area, including the town of . . . — — Map (db m15140) HM
On October 6, 1864, Union soldiers approached this mill on their march from Harrisonburg to Broadway during “The Burning.” This was U.S. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s two-week campaign to end the Valley’s role as the “Breadbasket of . . . — — Map (db m39329) HM
Near Edom, Virginia, on January 14, 1794, in a heroic effort to save his wife, Elizabeth, and child, Dr. Jessee Bennett performed the first successful Caesarian section and oophorectomy to be done in America. — — Map (db m30364) HM
This church, built on land donated by John K. Beery was a free union church used by Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran denominations and in 1914 became a Methodist church.
The church building was remodeled in 1917, 1948, and 1950. . . . — — Map (db m158142) HM
Green Meadows, to the west, was the home of German emigrant Adam Miller, one of the first Europeans to settle in the Shenandoah Valley. Records suggest that he arrived in this area from Pennsylvania late in the 1720s. In 1742 Gov. William Gooch . . . — — Map (db m230637) HM
During the 1930's, CCC Camp NP-3, Company 310, Camp Nira was placed near the abandoned road across the Skyline Drive, 1/4 mile, to the south. — — Map (db m13248) HM
In Memory
of those who made the supreme sacrifice
In World War II
Charles J. Berry •
Fred W. Flick •
Clayton C. Gaynor •
Benjamin R. Good •
Frank W. Gooden •
Leonard D. Gooden •
Ray C. Gooden •
Statten H. Gooden, . . . — — Map (db m235872) WM
"Green Meadows," to the west, was the home of Adam Miller (1703-1783), one of the first Europeans to settle in the valley. The property remained in the Miller (originally Mueller) family from the 1740s through 1936. — — Map (db m12074) HM
1862 & 1864 Valley Campaigns.
This eight-room brick dwelling was built in 1840 for Dr. Simeon B. Jennings, a former resident of Port Republic. At the time of the Civil War, it was one of only half a dozen houses located in the Conrad’s Store . . . — — Map (db m2916) HM
Less than a month after his defeat at Kernstown, Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson retired to the Elk Run Valley to rest his troops and plan for the spring campaign. With his men camped all along Elk Run and into Swift Run Gap, Jackson . . . — — Map (db m2835) HM
“The most important function of the wilderness for modern man is the opportunity of glimpsing for a moment what harmony really means.” Sigurd Olson, Reflections from the North Country, 1976 The Wilderness Act of 1964 . . . — — Map (db m96878) HM
The Newtown School, built here in 1921-1922,
served African American students during the
segregation era. Julius Rosenwald, president of
Sears, Roebuck and Co, collaborated with Booker
T. washington in a school-building campaign
beginning in . . . — — Map (db m108889) HM
“Now shall I walk or shall I ride? Ride, Pleasure said. Walk, Joy replied.” W.H. Davies Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive are the perfect combination of pleasure and joy. Chances are you took a pleasure ride . . . — — Map (db m96235) HM
A wildfire swept over this mountain in 1986, burning 4,475 acres in seven days. While dramatic, it certainly wasn’t tragic. Fire is nature’s way of cleaning house. It keeps the forest healthy by burning leaf litter, dead wood, and even living . . . — — Map (db m96881) HM
In memory of the Veterans that gave their lives on the battlefields in all conflicts. In honor of those that served from the Stonewall District. — — Map (db m235871) WM
You are standing next to the Appalachian Trail. Also called the A.T., this footpath stretches more than 2,100 miles across mountaintop and ridge from Maine to Georgia. You can see where the trail enters and exits each end of this overlook. The A.T. . . . — — Map (db m46003) HM
Rocky Top, the high ridge to your left, Brown Mt., straight ahead and Loft Mt., behind you, enclose an eleven square mile watershed, the largest in the Park.
One inch of rainfall on this area amounts to nearly 200 million gallons. Some of this . . . — — Map (db m46004) HM
Up the hill to your left is the entrance to Grand Caverns, known as Weyers Cave during the Civil War. Discovered in 1804, it soon became famous. During the Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1862 and 1864, several Union and Confederate soldiers visited . . . — — Map (db m174136) HM
During the 1930s, this area was the site of CCC Camp NP-27, which was moved into Shenandoah National Park from Grottoes, Virginia. — — Map (db m46010) HM
Grand Caverns
has been designated a
National Natural Landmark
This site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the Nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment 1973 National . . . — — Map (db m247300) HM
“Look! There’s a deer!” Visitors often exclaim these words in Shenandoah national park-an amazing fact since deer were not here in 1926 when Congress authorized Shenandoah. Years of hunting and other human activity had eliminated them. In 1934, . . . — — Map (db m222714) HM
Among the scenic roads of America’s national parks, the Skyline Drive may be the most famous. For decades the Drive has given millions of visitors easy access to the mountains and sky of Shenandoah National Park.
The Skyline Drive follows the . . . — — Map (db m222715) HM
This monument is dedicated to our Veterans who unselfishly answered the call of their country to serve in her foreign wars and especially to those who gave their lives. — — Map (db m236711) WM
Skyline Drive Shenandoah's portal to your national park adventure... Designed with pleasure and beauty in mind, Skyline Drive meanders 105 memorable miles through Shenandoah National Park, revealing scenic splendor at every . . . — — Map (db m211407) HM
Brown’s Gap, ¾ of a mile north, was one of the strategic mountain passes used in the spring of 1862 by Stonewall Jackson near the beginning and end of his whirlwind offensive. His secret military strategy took full advantage of the complex . . . — — Map (db m230169) HM
Kyles Mill House
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
circa 1741
Kyles Mill
House
circa 1741
Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Historical . . . — — Map (db m193816) HM
Rockingham County. During its October 1777 session, the Virginia General Assembly carved Rockingham County out of a large portion of Augusta County. The first court was held on 27 April 1778. Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson . . . — — Map (db m34459) HM
On the early morning hours of December 21, 1864, part of Union Gen. George A. Custer’s cavalry division was eating breakfast here and preparing to advance when it suddenly came under attack. Custer had bivouacked the night before not expecting any . . . — — Map (db m22982) HM
This cave was likely known to Native Americans
before the l8th century. John Harrison Sr. acquired
the property in the 1740s. The entrance was
improved in 1824 to allow access to visitors. During
the Civil War, Union and Confederate soldiers . . . — — Map (db m173184) HM
Four miles west, Thomas Lincoln, father of the President, was born about 1778. He was taken to Kentucky by his father about 1781. Beside the road here was Lincoln Inn, long kept by a member of the family. — — Map (db m656) HM
Here, at Lacey’s Springs, Rosser’s Confederate cavalry attacked Custer's camp, December 20, 1864. Rosser and Custer (of Indian Fame) had been roommates at West Point. — — Map (db m649) HM
In 1768, John Lincoln moved here with his family from Pennsylvania. His eldest son, Abraham, grandfather of the president, might have remained a Virginian had his friend and distant relative, Daniel Boone not encouraged him to migrate to Kentucky by . . . — — Map (db m15634) HM
General Stonewall Jackson, with 6,000 Confederates, attacked James Shields' vanguard of 3,000 under E.B. Tyler, which had marched down Luray Valley to join General J.C. Frémont's army. Jackson's first attack by General C.S. Winder's brigade, . . . — — Map (db m230246) HM
The cross road here roughgly divides the Confederate and Union lines in the battle of June 9, 1862. Jackson attacked Shields, coming southward to join Fremont, but was repulsed. Reinforced by Ewell, Jackson attacked again and drove Shields from the . . . — — Map (db m230190) HM
Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 1
You are standing on the “Coaling.” By the Civil War this area was nearly devoid of trees, the timber having been used for the production of charcoal. This was the key Federal . . . — — Map (db m230192) HM
Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 4.
Federal commander Tyler placed at least 3 artillery pieces on this high part of the “Coaling,” and lined 3 more guns down the slope to the road on your right. All morning fire from . . . — — Map (db m230191) HM
Here, June 9, 1862
Gen. T. J. "Stonewall Jackson"
defeated Gen. J. Shield’s vanguard
advancing from Elkton under Gen. R. O. Tyler
Federals engaged, 4500
killed, wounded, and missing, 551, captured, 450
Confederates engaged, 6000 . . . — — Map (db m14346) HM
A Store House stood on the lot where Verizon is now located, in the mid 1800's. G.T. Hopkins bought the property before the Civil War. A first class Country Store was operated by C.E. Hammen before he became a dentist. P.C. Hawkins built the . . . — — Map (db m182600) HM
A meetinghouse existed by 1761. "The Lutheran and Reformed Union Church at the Peaked Mountain" (second meetinghouse) was dedicated in 1768. The third (and last) meetinghouse was dedicated in 1804. The Reformed congregation built Brown Memorial . . . — — Map (db m182599) HM
Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign (March 23-June 9, 1862)
"The musketry was heard in volleys, telling of fearful havoc, slaughter and bloodshed." - Charles H. Webb, Special Correspondent, New York Times, Battle of Cross . . . — — Map (db m193800) HM
Located two miles southwest in the town of Bridgewater, this liberal arts college is affiliated with the Church of the Bretheren. It grew out of the Spring Creek Normal School and Collegiate Institute, founded in 1880, and became Bridgewater College . . . — — Map (db m647) HM
Contentment
has been registered as a
Virginia Historic Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Board of Historic Resources — — Map (db m165320) HM
Rockingham County. Area 876 square miles. Formed in 1778 from Augusta, and named for the Marquis of Rockingham, British statesman. John Sevier, of Tennessee, was born in this county. In it took place the battles of Cross Keys . . . — — Map (db m653) HM
Early in June 1862, Union forces under Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont and Brig. Gen. James Shields pursued Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley. About three miles south of here, on Mill Creek near the village of . . . — — Map (db m141622) HM
Three miles south, on Mill Creek, Jackson’s rearguard, under Ewell, was attacked by Fremont, June 8, 1862. Trimble, of Ewell’s command, counterattacked, driving the Unionists back. Jackson, with the rest of his army, was near Port Republic awaiting . . . — — Map (db m230248) HM
On the morning of June 8, 1862, Confederate skirmishers of the 15th Alabama Infantry delayed Union Gen. John C. Frémont's advance near Union Church a mile north of here. Confederate commander Gen. Richard S. Ewell took the opportunity to . . . — — Map (db m234734) HM
The crest of the hill was the site of Madison Hall, built in the mid-1700s for John Madison, the first Court Clerk of Augusta County, which originally included this area of Rockingham County within its frontier boundaries. In response to the . . . — — Map (db m14083) HM
A local auction house advertised bell as Lynnwood School Bell
"School Set Behind Church"
Bell was purchased by Sam Lewis Batton Bell required a new cradle, contacting McShane Foundry which was still in operation. Taking bell to . . . — — Map (db m236581) HM
The road seen across the river was the original route into the village from the north and west. Early visitors crossed North River by means of a ford, later a ferry, and finally a bridge. After the Civil War, four more bridges were built on . . . — — Map (db m154647) HM
Parallel to South River is seen the bed of the lower millrace which brought water power to several village industries. The Galliday Tannery was located on the far left; the Dundore/Downs Tannery on the adjoining property on the right. The Robert . . . — — Map (db m14080) HM
The Port Republic Foundry was one of the leading industries of the town. Prior to the flood of 1870, a Mr. Holbrook operated a foundry shop where the notched sickle for the original McCormick Reaper was made. Although the original shop washed . . . — — Map (db m88585) HM
The Riverside Graveyard was established on land deeded by Molly and John Carthrea, Sr., to the Methodist Episcopal Church's trustees in 1793. Soon a log church was built at water's edge in the upper end of the cemetery. On Feb. 26, 1809, Bishop . . . — — Map (db m236166) HM
When Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood’s 1716 expedition first laid claim to the Shenandoah Valley, the area had already been used for centuries by Native Americans. The town of port Republic was laid off into lots and chartered by an 1802 act . . . — — Map (db m16634) HM
Straight ahead is "The Point“ where the North River (Ieft) and the South River (right) meet to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Imagine a day in the early 1800s when the river depth was right for traffic. A flotilla of . . . — — Map (db m88584) HM
March 9, 1777 • Dec. 24, 1862
“Father of song in Northern Virginia”
Teacher, translator, author
Publisher, printer
In 1816 he published “Choral Music”; in 1832 the first edition of “Genuine Church . . . — — Map (db m39334) HM
This was the only United Brethren Church that the anti-slavery denomination opened within the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was constructed on the northeastern side of Green Hill along Joes Creek northwest of Edom in 1833 as Green Hill . . . — — Map (db m115464) HM
In honor of Governor Alexander Spotswood and the Knights of the Horseshoe:
John Fontaine •
Robert Beverley •
William Robertson •
Dr. Robinson Todd •
James Taylor •
Robert Brooke •
George Mason •
Captain Smith •
Jeremiah Clouder
and other . . . — — Map (db m1844) HM
Twelve men I chose to see the waiting land,
Where the rivers are jeweled in sunlight,
And the hills are a deep blue ocean with living spars
Of pine to catch the clouds and spread white sail.
My band, Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe,
. . . — — Map (db m1874) HM
Greene County. Area 155 Square Miles. Formed in 1838 from Orange, and named for General Nathanael Greene, commander of the Army of the South in the Revolutionary War.
Rockingham County. Area 876 Square . . . — — Map (db m2834) HM
GREENE COUNTY
Formed from Orange County in 1838, this rural Piedmont county was named for Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, Revolutionary War hero. In 1722, Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood issued the Octonia land grant to eight Virginians; the Octonia . . . — — Map (db m230642) HM
On 5 Sept. 1716, in this region, it is believed, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood and his party of government officials, gentry, Native Americans, soldiers, and servants crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. Their . . . — — Map (db m1842) HM
In 1930, after working at the D.W. Wampler store for 24 years, B. Frank Minnich went into business and opened Minnich's Self Service Store at this location, which had served as the Dingledine Drug Store. The business was also known as "The Service . . . — — Map (db m158150) HM
Constructed in 1884, the Timberville covered bridge was 312 feet in length and 18 feet wide inside. Depending on the story of the lumber for the bridge was either cut in town or just west of Timberville. The stones for the support pier came from . . . — — Map (db m158155) HM
This stone marks the site of the Third Timberville Community School 1887-1913, Timberville High School 1914-1952 and Timberville Elem. School 1952-1972. 100th Anniversary dedication August 2, 2014
"School days, school days; dear old . . . — — Map (db m158153) HM
In 1942, the Broadway Town Council erected this Observation tower atop the hill overlooking Rt. 259 just off Broadway Ave. The tower stood on a platform that was about 20 feet above the ground. The site had been selected by the U.S. Army and . . . — — Map (db m158154) HM
