Tuesday May 9th, 2017
We departed the Shenandoah Valley Campground in Mount
Jackson, after a restful night of sleep. This campground is only 4 years old
and an awesome family owned campground. During the height of the camping
season, there is food served in the café.
Just at the end of the Industrial Park Road we found
quite a sight. There was a business that looked like an old fashioned barn, and
in front of it was a huge frog! That is one frog that I might like! According
to Google maps, this building is listed as “The Yellow Barn.” It is part of the
Shenandoah Caverns complex.
The Yellow Barn is one of the most unique Shenandoah
Valley, Virginia wedding venues. You are surrounded by pieces of history, from
antique carriages and farm equipment to props from Rose Bowl Parade floats, all
in a beautiful barn setting. They offer an outdoor ceremony area under our
gorgeous metal and stonework gazebo.
We got back onto Route 11 N.
On the west side of the Route 11, there is a Soldier’s Cemetery.
It was established in 1861 across the road from the Mount Jackson General
Hospital, which was operated by the Confederate Medical Department. During the
war graves of the soldiers were marked with their names, units, and death
dates. But after the war the graves were neglected, and by the time the United
Daughters of the Confederacy erected the Monument to All Confederates in 1908,
112 head stones had been lost. Today only three of the original 359 still
remain.
The Virginia
Civil War Trails are five regional programs that fill in the gaps between the
National Parks and highlight some of the less-known but no less interesting
stories Virginia Civil War history has to offer. These trails give visitors the
chance to explore Virginia's back roads, learning some history while driving
and walking through some of the most beautiful landscapes anywhere. Most of
what we traveled on in Virginia, after we exited the Blue Ridge Parkway, was
part of the Shenandoah Valley, Avenue of Invasion Trail. It helps to uncover
the often desperate action in the great breadbasket, the Valley of Virginia.
Highlights are Stonewall Jackson's famous 1862 Valley Campaign and the final
Union campaigns in 1864, just to mention a few.
This monument was erected in 1929. It is one of a total
of 59 monuments commemorating Virginia Civil War battlefields. All were created
during the 1920's by the Battlefield Markers Association. They were the first
highway markers in the State of Virginia. After his defeat in September of 1864
at the Third Battle of Winchester by Major General Philip H Sheridan. Lieutenant
General Jubal A. Early led his 9,500-man army here to Fisher's Hill, a favorite
Confederate stronghold. Sheridan pursued and on 22 September attacked Early
with most of his 30,000-man force. Brigadier General George Crook, with two
divisions, struck Early's weak left flank about three miles west near Little
North Mountain while Sheridan launched a general assault here on Early's center
and right. The Confederates fled under the onslaught to Rockfish Gap. Early
lost some 1,200 men, Sheridan about 530. This was the Battle of Fisher’s Hill.
The Belle Grove Plantation, north of Middletown,
Virginia is hosting the 22nd annual “Of Ale and History” Beer
Festival. This year's musical performers will be The Robbie Limon Band and The
Reflex! As always 60+ craft and imported beers and ciders to taste, plus local
food and merchandise vendors! New this year will be speakers on beer history
and brewing.
In Middletown, I captured a picture of a couple of
awesome murals on the side of a building. Too bad, I don’t know anything about
the artist or what is housed in this building.
Stephens City is a small town in the lower Shenandoah
Valley. Stephens City was founded October 12, 1758 as the second oldest town in
the Shenandoah Valley and was originally settled by individuals of Scottish,
Irish, and German ancestry. In the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth
centuries, Stephens City, then known as Newtown, became prosperous as a
crossroads village with a variety of small scale crafts and industries,
featuring production of the renowned Newtown wagon. This prosperity peaked in
the 1840s.
The town history would have ended in 1864, if not for
the heroic efforts of Major Joseph Steans. He stopped General David Hunter from
burning the town down. With ravages and disruptions brought on by the town’s
location in the midst of conflict during the Civil War, Stephens City suffered.
Old industries declined and disappeared. By the late nineteenth century,
however, regional prosperity reemerged, and Stephens City found its place.
On the south side of Stephens City, is an old neon sign
for a motel, the Redwood Budget Motel. I love the old neon signs and I was
excited to see that the motel had been updated and was still in use! So many
times, people bypass these roadside gems for the luxury of the chain hotels.
After the Battle
of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, Confederate General Robert E Lee ordered his Second
Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, under General Ewell, to clear the northern
Shenandoah Valley of Federal opposition. Ewell’s columns converged on
Winchester’s garrison commanded by General Milroy. Instead of retreating in the
face of superior numbers, Milroy determined to make a stand in the supposedly
strong fortifications west and north of town. There was fighting on the
afternoon of June 13, but the next day the Confederate Louisiana Brigade
captured the West Fort leaving Milroy in an indefensible position. After dark,
Milroy abandoned his remaining postitons in an attempt to retreat to Charles
Town. Confederate General Edward “Allegheny” Johnson’s division marched at
night and before daylight of the 15th cut off Milroy’s retreat just north of
Winchester at Stephenson’s Depot. The 2nd Battle of Winchester marks the actions
of Confederate General Jubal Early against Union General Robert Milroy in 1863.
Milroy's force was completely destroyed, clearing the way for Lee's invasion of
Pennsylvania. More than 2,500 Federal soldiers surrendered.
Virginia / West Virginia State line is marked by a
small welcome to West Virginia sign.
The City of Martinsburg, West Virginia is recognized as
the "fastest growing City in the State" is known as the "Gateway
to the Shenandoah Valley." Located in the heart of the Eastern Panhandle,
the City serves as the county seat to Berkeley County. Martinsburg was founded
in 1778 by General Adam Stephen who named it in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan
Martin, a nephew of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. The most
prominent building in the downtown is the County Courthouse, thanks to its gold
dome like structure and cupola.
Traveling on Route 11, the Potomac River, is the state
line for West Virginia and Maryland and there is not a sign marking the
crossing into a new state.
The Potomac stretches over 400 miles from start to its
discharge into the Chesapeake Bay.
In Hagerstown Maryland, we traveled under a uniquely
painted Western Maryland Railroad bridge.
Right after the bridge, there was an old train deport
that now houses the Headquarters of the Hagerstown Police Department. It is
nice to see an old building repurposed, instead of abandoned or torn down!
Western Maryland Railway Station is a historic railway station. It was built in
1913 as a stop for railway. It is a 2 1⁄2-story hip roof brick building,
reflecting the influence of the Commercial Style of the early 20th century. The
building features over-scaled Classical detailing, a stone foundation, and a
massive, modillion cornice with stone disks defining each bay. The building is
also encircled by a one-story porch that has a cantilevered roof on three
sides. The Western Maryland Railway ended passenger train service to the
Hagerstown station in June 1957. We crossed the Maryland and Pennsylvania state line
We saw these
pink cars and had to find out more! Jeff Fisher Insurance Agency has been
around since 1967. About 14 years ago they decided it was time to start giving
back to their community. At that time they selected Breast Cancer Awareness as
their main project and have been raising money and awareness ever since. As of
2015 they have given over $140,000 to the local Breast Care group Cumberland
Valley Breast Care Alliance. Since then they have been nicknamed “The Pink
Insurance People”.
We saw one farmer in Pennsylvania already has his 1st
cutting of hay down. As bear as the trees have looked, I am surprised. But, it
looks very green and long!
Route 11 is home to portions of the Pennsylvania Civil
War Trails. Pennsylvania has divided their trails into five groups, A Band of Brothers,
News from the Home Front, Women and the War, The Battle Cry for Equality and
When Johnny Comes Marching Home. Each looks at the war from a different
outlook. A Brother's Bond: It explores the battlefields, artifacts and legends
of the Civil War. These places tell the story of the soldiers who marched,
fought, and died together. News from the Home Front: These places show that while
the war waged on the field, life went on at home. You can “ride” along and
experience daily life in the Civil War era. Women and the War: Soldiers weren't
the only ones who played a role in the outcome of the war. Women were
abolitionists, nurses, teachers, and business-owners. Ride along the trails and
see where women laid rails, worked assembly lines, and served in the arsenals
as they helped keep the wheels of progress turning. The Battle Cry For Equality:
Journey along the trail of Underground Railroad stations, abolitionist freedom
fighters, and African American soldiers. This is the road trip of
freedom-seekers. When Johnny Comes Marching Home: When the war ended,
Pennsylvania began the process of healing from the fighting and losses of loved
ones in the battles. Go on a journey through Pennsylvania’s hallowed grounds
and stories of sacrifice made by those who played a role in the Civil War.
Just outside of Harrisburg, in Camp Hill, Route 11 N
meets up with Route 15 N. We picked up Route 15 N from here. This town is one
place that always reminds me of the good things that come from Rochester New
York, besides me! I am talking about the grocery store, Wegmans. At one time it
was only in the greater Rochester area, now it has expanded into North
Carolina. For the second year in a row, Wegmans has been voted the number 1
grocery chain. It pushed out Trader Joes!
Most of Route 15 in Pennsylvania travels along the Susquehanna.
A few days ago, I told you about Lady Liberty in McRae Georgia … well along the
Susquehanna River is a stretch called Dauphin Narrows. At this location, out in
the river stands a brilliant white replica of the Statue of Liberty, proudly
standing in all her scaled-down glory on an old stone bridge piling. Distance
plays havoc with your sense of scale in this area: Although Dauphin’s Lady
Liberty looks tiny, but she is actually 25 feet tall and quite sturdy. She’s
also the second replica of the Statue of Liberty to stand in the fast-moving
waters. The first one succumbed to the effects of the elements.
There was a place that sold yard ornaments, am I am sure that our Geek-E-birds relatives live there, but we did not stop to see ... Charlie thinks a family of 6 birds is enough! We crossed over the Susquehanna on Route 60 and followed the
river on the east side along 147 into Sunbury Pennsylvania, arriving at our
destination for the night at Fantasy Island Campground. We are meeting up with
our friends, Jack and Jackie Laubach. Tomorrow will be the last leg of this Two
Lane Adventure.
We enjoyed $5 Burgers at the Top Hat with Jack and Jackie
and other couples from their campground. This was the first night the Top Hat
was open again … no one knows why they were closed … should we be worried
eating food from there? The burgers were delicious and the company was awesome. We will stop again, when we are in Sunbury!
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