COMMUNITY

Lots to See, Lots to Do

Augusta 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 BY MARILYN PRIBUS

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.

21 MARCH 4 - MARCH 10, 2020 ISSUE 2909 Annie Gould Gallery A unique art gallery located in the heart of Historic Downtown Gordonsville. Offering an assortment of works by local artists as well as those from throughout the country. ALL CREDITS MORTGAGE Affordable Home Loans for All Virginians • Low and No Down Payment! • Credit Scores Down to 580! • Closing Cost Assistance • Student Loan Tolerant • Competitive Rates ALL CREDITS MORTGAGE Affordable Home Loans for All Virginians • Low and No Down Payment! • Credit Scores Down to 580! • Closing Cost Assistance • Student Loan Tolerant • Competitive Rates Under Contract! Price Drop! Open House

109 S. Main Street, Gordonsville, VA (540) 832-6352 anniegouldgallery

See if you qualify online: AllCreditsMortgage.com See if you qualify online: AllCreditsMortgage.com

NMLS# 1591498

Contact: 434-325-7229 Contact: 434-325-7229

2808 Magnolia Dr 1544 Sawgrass Ct 2142 Avinity Loop Sunday 1-3 pm THE SPRING MARKET HAS SPRUNG PRICE REDUCED! UNDER CONTRACT!

Complete 1st floor living, lg MBR & BA w/laundry.

Beautifully upgraded 4 BR townhouse w/mountain

Peace & tranquility less than 15 minutes from

Hardwoods on main floor. Gourmet kitchen & loft views! Open floorplan, perfect for entertaining Downtown! Enjoy this wonderful house on over an

open to LR. Outside patio. $410,000 with private patio. $365,000 acre with beautiful mature trees.

CAAR REAL ESTATE WEEKLY WWW.CAAR.COM Buyers & Sellers! Call Me Today! 434.305.0361 pdmcartor@gmail.com GET YOUR HOME SOLD HERE! paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/577468 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/575169 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/575473

4161 Presidents Rd Country living 15 minutes of Downtown & within New Listing! Contact me today to find out about our New Listing Program. Let’s get your home LISTED, UNDER CONTRACT & SOLD! Buyers & Sellers! Call Me Today! 434.305.0361 pdmcartor@gmail.com Best of Cville Real Estate Agents GET YOUR HOME SOLD HERE! 2808 Magnolia Dr Peace & tranquility less than 15 minutes from Downtown! Enjoy this wonderful house on over an acre with beautiful mature trees. $469,900 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/577468

63 Soapstone Ln Here’s your chance to live in a 1906 farmhouse with all the style and character while enjoying the conveniences of a modern home. $130,000 1544 Sawgrass Ct Complete 1st floor living, lg MBR & BA w/laundry. Hardwoods on main floor. Gourmet kitchen & loft open to LR. Outside patio. $410,000 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/575169 2142 Avinity Loop Beautifully upgraded 4 BR townhouse w/mountain views! Open floorplan, perfect for entertaining with private patio. $365,000 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/575473 2357 Middle River Rd Come enjoy the peace and tranquility of your own lake front retreat! Single floor living home includes both MB & laundry on the main floor. $240,000 paulmcartor.montaguemiller.com/576182 4161 Presidents Rd Country living 15 minutes of Downtown & within Albemarle County. This single floor home has beautifully updated kitchen & bathrooms. $260,000 Under Contract! Under Contract in 6 days! Price Drop! Price Drop! New Listing! Sunday 1-3 pm Open House 920 GARDENS BLVD #200 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22901 WWW.AVENUEREALTYGROUP.COM 434.305.0361 pdmcartor@gmail.com

HONORABLE MENTION Best of Cville Real Estate Agents in 2016 & 2017, and a Finalist in 2018 FINALIST BUYERS & SELLERS CALL ME TODAY! 35 BLUE RIDGE TERRACE Best deal in Spring Creek!! Enjoy the large great room with open to the living room and beautiful hardwood floors. Additional room on the main floor can be used as a dining room, den, or playroom. Off the kitchen is a deck perfect for entertaining along with a flat yard. Upstairs has a real laundry room and three large bedrooms plus a giant master bedroom with matching oversized walk-in closet. The basement has a family room with direct access to the backyard. An area is also set to be your new home office. MLS# 596949 $299,900 2308 WILLIAMSBURG RD LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Terrific home minutes from everything. Super flexible floor plan with three bedrooms including a large master with en suite bath. The beautiful original hardwood floors flow through the bedrooms, dining room and big living room. The spacious eat-in kitchen completes the main floor. The lower level includes a multi-functional family room and half bath perfect for all your needs. From there walk out onto your screen porch. The backyard has great lawn space for entertaining and yard games. All this is an amazing value under $275,000 in Albemarle County with tons of room to build equity. It won’t last long, so call to see it now! MLS# 600334 $270,000 627 FOX HOLLOW LN Custom designed home. First floormaster is huge with spa-like en suite bath, multiple large closets, & private screened porch to enjoy your morning coffee. Great room has vaulted ceiling & opens to gourmet kitchen made for a home chef with Wolfe & Sub Zero appliances. Formal dining, home office, & laundry room completes main level. Upstairs gives you two large bedrooms, bonus room & media room. Basement has a guest room with full bath, gigantic recreational/family room, fitness room, & tons of storage. Outside entertaining is unmatched with your covered front porch, huge back deck, great yard, & your beautiful swimming pool. MLS# 597722 $650,000 2036 AVINITY LOOP The main floor is built around your gourmet kitchen. Oversized island w/ upgraded appliances, cabinets, & countertops. Head upstairs to your dual master floorplan w/ two huge bedrooms. Primary master comes w/ a spalike bath & big walk in closet. Top floor gives you another bedroom that is also a perfectrec room. Step out on your private roof top terrace to enjoy mountain views. The finished basement is terrific as a guest suite or family room. Multiple outdoor spacesplus flexible rooms fits any lifestyle. MLS# 599521 $395,000