 Battle of Front Royal. Photo Courtesy of Shenandoah Battlefields National Historic District It shouldn’t be a surprise that Front Royal has a rich local history. The natural attractions of this location, from the Shenandoah River to the surrounding mountain beauty have brought a steady stream of settlers and visitors to the town throughout its varied history. Read on for nine fun facts about Front Royal’s local history, starting with the Native Americans and ending with Bing Crosby! 1. The Iroquois Once Hunted in Front Royal  Iroquois Confederation The entire Shenandoah Valley, including the land that would become Front Royal, was rich in natural resources for Native Americans, and saw many tribes both pass through and build settlements. The Iroquois were the last Native American group really to take possession of the valley. Unlike some other tribes, their culture was based primarily on hunting, and they did not attempt to develop farms, but used the valley as hunting grounds. The Iroquois Confederation sold the land that included the future Front Royal to Colony of Virginia in 1744. 2. Front Royal was the Home of the Shenandoah Valley’s First Ferry  Shenandoah River early morning Front Royal sits at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River. It was here that the Shenandoah Valley’s first ferry was established in the 1730s. The ferry helped the Valley’s many travelers cross the Shenandoah River. 3. Front Royal’s Original Name was LeHewtown  Peter LeHew The town that would become Front Royal first came into existence as LeHewtown in 1754. The name came from Peter LeHew, an early settler who bought a tract of property in what would become the center of the town. 4. Front Royal was a Popular Stop for Travelers Front Royal (or LeHewtown) saw many travelers coming through. The Shenandoah River, brought many boatmen into town. The Shenandoah Valley was also a natural route for livestock drivers. At the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, and the tip of Massanutten Mountain range, Front Royal was a natural meeting point for travelers. Due to the large numbers of taverns that popped up to serve the passers-through, Front Royal also gained the nickname “Helltown.” 5. We’re not sure where Front Royal Got its Name  What's in a name? In 1788, Front Royal officially received the name it has today. No one is exactly sure where this name came from, but there are several interesting theories. Our favorite dates back to the days of the Revolutionary war. A camp of British soldiers was located near Front Royal. Comers to the camp must respond with the password “Royal” to the sentry’s challenge of “Front.” Thus the name “Front Royal” came into common usage. 6. Front Royal was the Home of Virginia’s Second Subscription Library  Samuel's Pubic Library Front Royal was on the forefront of literacy in Virginia. In 1799, Front Royal became the home of the second subscription library in the State. This library has grown and changed location several times over its more than two hundred years. Now it exists as Front Royal’s Samuels Public Library. 7. Over 200 Confederate Soldiers are Buried in Front Royal  Prospect Hill Cemetery - Front Royal, VA Front Royal has a rich Civil War history, and was the location of the Battle of Front Royal during Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley campaign. After the war, the remains of the Confederate soldiers who had died in Warren County were gathered and buried together at Soldier’s Circle in Front Royal’s Prospect Hill Cemetery. 8. Skyline Drive Put Front Royal Even More on the Map  Skyline Drive - Shenandoah National Park The 1920s were a time of exciting developments for Front Royal, as the Blue Ridge Mountains were selected as the location of a National Park for the Eastern United States. This park came into existence as Shenandoah National Park, and its northern entrance station is located right in Front Royal. The National Park draws outdoors lovers to the Front Royal all year round, especially in the fall. They find a warm, small-town welcome, great facilities, and gourmet dining, in addition to the natural wonders of the park that have delighted generations of visitors. 9. Bing Crosby was a Fan of Front Royal  Bing Crosby Stadium Singing and acting star Bing Crosby visited Front Royal several times. In 1949 and 1950, he helped raise funds for a baseball stadium by appearing at several fundraising events, and donating personally to the stadium. Today, Front Royal’s Bing Crosby Stadium is the setting of baseball fun all summer long.
From Iroquois Hunters to Civil War soldiers, and from Early Traders to Stars of the Screen, Front Royal has seen it all. Plan a visit to Front Royal to explore even more of our history and find out what our exciting small town has in store for you!  “Shenandoah Valley,” oil on canvas, by the artist William Louis Sonntag. Courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society. The Shenandoah Valley is probably most famous for its Civil War history. But to those who know and love the beauty and natural fertility of this area, it should come as no surprise that the Shenandoah Valley had human inhabitants well before Europeans arrived. In honor of these fascinating early peoples, we’ve rounded up six fun facts on the Native American History of the Shenandoah Valley.  Seven Bends of the Shenandoah River - burial mounds 1. There’s a Lot We Don’t Know about Native American History This is more of a non-fact than a fact, but it’s important to keep in mind! Native Americans aren’t the easiest people to learn about. They lived quite a long time ago, and they left behind few remains for our historians to find. The Native Americans were often nomadic people whose relationship with the natural world seems to have been one of great respect. They made an effort to leave little impact on the natural systems of which they were a part. However, they did leave some traces of their presence, including pottery shards and burial mounds. Some of the more permanently settled Native American groups also left behind evidence of villages and food storage systems. 2. The Keyser People were among the more settled inhabitants of the Shenandoah Valley  The Keyser People Village, near Front Royal, VA The Keyser people were a group of Native Americans believed to have immigrated to the Shenandoah Valley from the Ohio valley. They seem to have enjoyed a more farm-based and stable culture than some of their hunter-gatherer counterparts, and left traces of large villages of up to 200 inhabitants. Artifacts of shellfish and quartz suggest that the Keyser people were also importing goods from coastal and other regions. It is believed that they exported deer hides from the Shenandoah Valley. Remains of a Keyser village have been discovered near Front Royal. 3. There were tensions between hunter/gatherer and farming tribes  Iroquois gathering. Image credit: CrystalLinks.com It is believed that the Iroquois, whose culture was based primarily on hunting and gathering, may have been responsible for emptying the Shenandoah Valley of its Native American farmers and villages. These hunter-gatherers thrived in lands otherwise devoid of human settlers. They may have forcibly removed the villagers, whose settlements threatened their own way of life. 4. Native Americans blazed the trail for some modern day Shenandoah Valley roads  Route 11 overlook Photo Credit: GardenandGun.com By Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin It was buffalo, and the Native Americans hunting them, who originally formed the trail that would become Virginia’s Route 11. Running north and south through the Shenandoah Valley, Route 11 closely parallels the busier and less scenic I-81. Whether on the highway or the byway, many modern travelers through the valley are following a Native American route more or less closely. 5. Native Americans formed a complex trail system in the Valley  The Great Valley Road Native Americans traveled the Shenandoah Valley for many purposes. Hunting, trade, warfare, and the search for the best seasonal forage areas were among their many reasons for travel. Their journeys eventually formed a system of trails known as the Great Warrior Path. 6. Visitors can see Native American Artifacts at the Strasburg Museum  Strasburg Museum - painting by Bill McClanahan The Strasburg Museum is found in Front Royal’s neighboring town of Strasburg. It’s a fascinating historic building, and a treasure trove of local history. You’ll find Virginia history since the time of the Colonial Era here. If you’re interested in finding out more about the first known human inhabitants of the Shenandoah Valley, you can see Native American artifacts too.
The story of the Native American inhabitants of the Shenandoah Valley is a fascinating, and often overlooked part of the Valley’s history. But exploring the Shenandoah Valley with these facts about its earliest human inhabitants in mind can provide a thrilling new perspective on one of Virginia’s most beautiful landscapes.  Photo Credit: Cindy Rodney Fall seems to be a traditional time for thinking about death, the dead, and the afterlife. Maybe it’s that the beauty of the changing leaves inspires nostalgia and deep reflection. Or maybe it’s just a custom that’s been handed down for generations. Either way, it’s common in several cultures to pay some attention to death and the supernatural in the fall. Think the Hispanic Dia De Los Muertos the Polish Zaduszki, and, of course, Halloween. Taking a stroll in a cemetery can be a perfect activity. You can visit Front Royal’s Prospect Hill Cemetery to find peace and quiet, graves dating back over two hundred years, fascinating Civil War History, and more.  In honor of that spooky feeling we all get in the fall, we’ve rounded up six facts about Prospect Hill Cemetery. Whether you’re a tourist visiting Front Royal for the fall leaves, a Civil War enthusiast, or simply a local in search of a graveyard stroll, you’ll find Prospect Hill Cemetery is a great place to take a walk. 1. Prospect Hill Cemetery has been a Burial Site for over Two Hundred Years It’s fascinating to stroll through a cemetery and think about the lives of those who are buried all around you. In Prospect Hill Cemetery, you’ll find plenty of food for thought. With the oldest grave dating back to 1802, there’s over two hundred years of history here! And Prospect Hill remains an active cemetery today. 2. Confederate Soldiers are Buried Here  Mosby's Monument Soldiers Circle is a particularly noteworthy part of Prospect Hill Cemetery. Here you’ll find the graves of all the confederate soldiers who died in Warren County during the Civil War. In 1868, the Ladies Warren Memorial Society gathered these remains from across the county to have them all interred together. The ninety soldiers who were identifiable are buried in a circle with headstones, while 186 unidentified share a common grave in the middle. The soldiers are from all thirteen states of the confederacy. 3. You’ll Find Some Famous Graves  Prospect Hill Cemetery - Front Royal, VA In addition to Soldiers Circle, Prospect Hill also contains the graves of two noteworthy Front Royal residents. Look for the grave of Lucy Buck, a Civil War diarist whose record of the Civil War has been a valuable source for historians. Captain Samuel J. Simpson is another famous person buried at Prospect Hill. He served as a captain in the confederate army and played an important role due to his knowledge of the Shenandoah Valley. 4. Prospect Hill is a Scenic Viewpoint  Prospect Hill - Front Royal, VA Prospect Hill probably gets its name from the view. This hilltop cemetery is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley all around, as well as the town of Front Royal. 5. Prospect Hill was a Strategic Point in the Civil War  Civil War History The view around Prospect Hill hasn’t always been observed just for pleasure. During the Civil War Battle of Front Royal, the cemetery became a point of strategic importance. From here, the Confederate commanders could watch the battle unfold beneath them. A Confederate artillery battery was also posted here at one point during the battle, but did not engage in combat because it was out of range of the Union guns. 6. Stonewall Jackson Probably Was Here  General Stonewall Jackson General Stonewall Jackson was one of the most celebrated of the Confederate generals during the Civil War. He remains a popular figure today for students of Civil War history. According to local tradition, General Stonewall Jackson himself observed part of the Battle of Front Royal from the excellent viewpoint of Prospect Hill.
Taking a stroll through a cemetery is a great way to reflect on the shortness of life, consider what’s truly worthwhile, and honor those who have gone before us. It’s not surprising that cemeteries hold a strong attraction. Explore Front Royal’s Prospect Hill Cemetery to enjoy a beautiful graveyard and a little bit of local history.  Walnut Hill Cabin - Browntown, VA Have you ever wished you could host a party at a charming, Virginia Estate? Or dreamed of a getaway to a historic rural cabin? Walnut Hill Farm and Estate in Browntown Virginia may be the place where your dreams come true.  Event Planning and Venue What Makes Walnut Hill Magical  Weddings, reunions and more! Whether you’re planning a major event like a wedding, or looking for an intimate private getaway, Walnut Hill Farm and Estate might be just what you’re looking for. There’s lots of beautiful outdoor spaces, a large gazebo with an open stone fireplace, and plenty of room to add a tent. It all adds up to a fantastic location for a special events. Weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions and more, they’ve all happened here. You and your guests can roam through the meadows, relax by (or in!) the pond, or explore the wooded hiking trails. Don’t forget to go find the waterfall! Open up a bottle of wine and unwind around the fireplace or fire pit in the evening. Don’t forget to glance upwards; the stars here are unbelievable!  Cozy up by the fire! Don’t think you’ll be able to tear yourself away at the end of the day? Don’t worry! Small groups can stay overnight at Walnut Hill Farm and Estate. Book the historic John Pope Cabin for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for up to four people. The cabin, built just after the end of the Civil War, retains the historic charm of its log walls and all-wood interior, but is updated with all the modern amenities. A wood burning stove and large front porch swing add final touches to make you feel right at home.  Room for four! With a quintessential farmland feel, historic buildings, and stunning vistas all around, this 500 acre piece of paradise is nothing short of magical. Read on to learn more about this special treasure, tucked away in the countryside of the Front Royal area.  There’s Plenty Going on All Around There’s so much to do at Walnut Hill Farm that some guests may feel no need to leave. But for those who do want to get out, there’s easy access to attractions, restaurants, shopping, and more in the town of Front Royal. An easy and scenic twenty minute drive will bring you into town, where you can explore to your heart’s content. Other options: head to Shenandoah National Park, or check out one of several fantastic local wineries.  Follow the path, come to Walnut Hill! Due to icy conditions on the surrounding roads, Walnut Hill typically closes to guests each year in mid-December, reopening annually in March. So if you’re intrigued, consider this your reminder to start planning your 2022 getaway, event, or retreat. Reservations are sure to fill up quickly at this special destination. Start planning today to make sure you don’t miss out on the magic!
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AuthorDiscover Front Royal Archives
February 2023
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