COMMUNITY
MARCH 4 - MARCH 10, 2020 ISSUE 2909
20
Augusta County:
Lots to See, Lots to Do
CAAR REAL ESTATE WEEKLY WWW.CAAR.COM
A
BY MARILYN PRIBUS
ugusta County, today the second largest in Virginia, was far larger in the past. In fact it originally encompassed a vast area with a sketchy western boundary including what today is much of West Virginia, all of Kentucky, plus uncharted territory beyond to the north and west—theoretically, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. In those days, the Blue Ridge was the far edge of civilization and the land beyond was nearly inaccessible frontier except for “gaps.” One such passage was Jarman Gap (sometimes called Jarman’s Gap) some six miles northeast of Waynesboro. Originally a buffalo trail, it became the major crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the area. Three Notch’d Road, also called Three Chopt Road, was a major eastwest route across Colonial Virginia from the James River near today’s Richmond, on through Jarman Gap. Today,
however, Rockfish Gap between Augusta and Nelson Counties is the main crossing of the Blue Ridge for Route 250, Interstate 64 and the CSX railway system. During the Civil War, Augusta County was part of the “Breadbasket of the Confederacy.” After the Battle of the Piedmont, Union troops occupied Staunton, destroying many facilities supporting the Confederacy. Later Sheridan’s “Burning” destroyed many farms and killed virtually all of the farm animals.
Augusta County Today Much of August County’s landscape is unchanged since Civil War times, with an added wealth of recreational opportunities, museums, live theater, festivals, educational facilities, and many family-friendly attractions. The county boasts scenic beauty, natural caverns, and hundreds of miles of trails and roads to hike or bike. A
number of stables offer horseback riding, and golfing and fishing are popular as well. There are outfitters for Shenandoah River kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and rafting. Grand Caverns, on border with Rockingham County, was discovered in 1804 by Bernard Weyer and opened for tours as Weyers Cave two years later making the dramatic underground system the oldest continually operating show cave in the nation. It was called the Grottoes of the Shenandoah until 1926, and the renamed Grand Caverns was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1973. Tours are offered except on major holidays. Augusta County residents and visitors are regulars in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) for spring blooms, fall color, and hiking in every season. There are cabin and lodge rentals in the park and visitors have a chance to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail, which is well maintained in the park. In fact, there are more miles of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia than any other state, and drivers cross the Trail more than 30 times within the park. A number of special-interest “trails” have been developed as well. For example, the Artisans Center of Virginia provides maps and artisan profiles for various Artisan Trails. These downloadable maps guide visitors to artists’ studios with a wide range of media from textiles to glass to metal to jewelry, painting, and sculpture. Some studios are open during specific hours, others suggest email to arrange appointments, while still others invite you to “stop by any time to see if we’re open.” History buffs will enjoy driving nearly a dozen self-guided “trails” through Civil War sites including some in Augusta County. Maps are available online through the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield National Historic District. Four specific scenic drives roll through Augusta County and are popular with motorists and motorcycle riders. The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail is a different sort of trail and has three stops at Augusta breweries. Augusta County is a year-round home to theaters, numerous music festivals, farmers markets, and art shows as well. For more information check out: visitaugustacounty.com. The Frontier Culture Museum near Staunton is an outdoor facility open seven days a week for self-guided tours including hands-on activities and living-history interpreters. Waynesboro is home to the Augusta County Railroad museum.
Woodrow Wilson’s Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton offers tours of the birthplace of our 28th president with seven museum galleries, a 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine and a realistic World War I trench exhibit in the basement with a periscope to peer over the trench’s edge and the sound effects of mortar fire. Wilson was our only president to hold a PhD and authored many books, which are also on display. Other museums include an Antique Automobile Museum, a Camera Heritage Museum and the Staunton Military Academy Museum/Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership Museum on the grounds of Mary Baldwin University.
Important Services United Airlines serves Augusta County and surrounding area at the Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD ) at Weyers Cave, about 12 miles northeast of Staunton. There is daily non-stop jet service to Chicago (ORD) and Dulles (IAD) with connections worldwide. And parking is free! The Valley is home to higher education providers including community, public, and private institutions. Mary Baldwin University in Staunton offers both undergraduate and graduate courses, while Blue Ridge Community College offers courses and certifications to students of all ages. For many, community college provides a low-cost starting point to universities and numerous courses are fully transferrable to other public institutions in the Commonwealth.
For residents and visitors, Augusta County is a wonderful scenic locale offering recreation, entertainment, and practical everyday public services. Marilyn Pribus and her husband live near Charlottesville and recently visited the Woodrow Wilson Museum. “It was interesting because we learned about Wilson and also a lot about that time in our country’s history,” she says.
