Discover Front Royal
    • Home
    • Winter 2022-23
    • Events Calendar
      • Autumn 2022
      • Summer 2022
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Adventure and Stars
      • Off the Beaten Path
      • Wine Lovers
      • Pawfect Adventures
      • Adventurous Eats
      • Adventure Awaits
      • Get Out and Golf
    • Explore, Eat, Stay
      • Get Outdoors
      • Eat & Drink
      • Play & Stay
    • Photo Contest Winners 2022
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Visitor Guide
    • Tourism Partnership Resource

Blog

  • MEDIA/PRESS
  • CONTACT US
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • VISITOR GUIDE
  • VIDEO
Picture

The History of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park

10/19/2022

 
Picture
Shenandoah National Park
It’s the scene of beautiful drives, exciting hikes, and stunning fall vistas. Its northern entrance station is located in Front Royal. It’s Shenandoah National Park. Views of the tree covered slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains are gorgeous from Shenandoah National Park in the fall. The leaf colors are slowly changing, putting on a fantastic display. All this beauty draws in the crowds, making October Shenandoah National Park’s busiest month. In honor of another beautiful fall in Shenandoah National Park, we’re taking a look at the history of this popular Virginia destination. Read on for five fun facts about the story of Shenandoah National Park.
 
1. Shenandoah National Park has a Different Story from the National Parks of the West
Picture
Shenandoah Valley
The earliest national parks sprung up on the federally owned lands of the west. They were based around preserving natural wonders for public enjoyment. Thus, the Grand Canyon, the geologic wonders and amazing wildlife of Yellowstone, and the towering rock faces of Yosemite were all obvious selections. In the 1920s, a committee was formedto select an area in the east so that those unable to travel to the west could still have a national park to enjoy. Thus, Shenandoah National Park and its sister park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park came to be. 

2. Shenandoah National Park once had Human Inhabitants
​
Because Shenandoah National Park was created less organically than the parks of the west, the area chosen for the park already had private landholders and residents. One of the earliest stages in the process of building the park was purchasing privately owned land and evicting squatters who had lived on the land without owning it for generations. Some landowners and residents were happy to comply. Others resisted until they were forcibly evicted. In order to allay public uneasiness with this process, several reporters visited the area. They painted a picture of the mountain people as near-savages who would be better off resettled in more urban civilization. It now seems that these reports were exaggerated or even falsified. The U.S. government’s treatment of these mountain residents remains controversial to this day. Today, remains of the homes of these early inhabitants can still be seen at the park.
 
3. Many of Shenandoah National Park’s areas of Wilderness were Planted
​
Because Shenandoah National Park had been the site of human settlements, areas of the forests had been cleared for orchards, pastures, gardens, and human habitations. One of the jobs of the park’s builders was to destroy human habitations, orchards, and farmlands, and replant these areas with native species. A nursery was even established for this purpose at Big Meadows.

In 1933, President Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to provide work for young men and relieve the unemployment crisis of the Great Depression. The President established six CCC camps in Shenandoah National Park in 1933. These civilian workers completed much of the important work on the national park, including working on the park’s central roadway (Skyline Drive) as well as building trails, picnic sites, bathrooms, and more.

5. Skyline Drive was Meant to Give Travelers a Sense of Flying 
​
Picture
Skyline Drive - SNP
When Shenandoah National Park was built, car travel was becoming popular, but airplane travel and skyscrapers were still uncommon. Driving along Skyline Drive, atop the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was the closest many residents of the Eastern United States ever got to flying. With sweeping panoramas on either side, it’s easy to see why taking a spin along Skyline Drive makes you feel on top of the world!
 
With its northern entrance station in the town of Front Royal, Shenandoah National Park is a great fall destination. Enjoy an amazing fall adventure at the park, and don’t forget to check out delicious dining and exciting shopping in Front Royal on your way in or out.
 

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Discover Front Royal

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    Adventure
    Apple Picking
    Autumn
    Biking
    Bird Watching
    Blue Ridge Mountains
    Cabin
    Camping
    Canoeing
    Civil War
    Climbing
    Contest
    Craft Beers
    Craft Festivals
    Day Trips
    Dining
    Discover Front Royal
    Discovery Series
    Downtown Rebound
    Entertainment
    Events
    Family
    Family Fun
    Farms
    Festivals
    Fishing
    Foliage
    Food
    Fun
    Fun Facts
    Gardens
    Getaway
    Gifts
    Golf
    Halloween
    Health
    Hiking
    Historic
    Historic Sites
    History
    Holidays
    Homesteading
    Indoors
    Kayaking
    Kids
    Leaf Peeping
    Local
    Local Farms
    Local Produce
    Locals
    Lodging
    LoveVA
    Main Street
    Meadery
    Motorcycling
    Mountain Biking
    Movies
    Music
    National Parks
    Nature
    Orchards
    Outdoor Recreation
    Parks
    Pets
    Photography
    Picnic
    Real Estate
    Recreational Activities
    Restaurants
    Rock Climbing
    Scenic Drives
    Seasons
    Shenandoah National Park
    Shenandoah River
    Shenandoah Valley
    Shop
    Shopping
    Shops
    Skiing
    Skyline Drive
    Special Needs
    Sports
    Spring
    Star Gazing
    Staycation
    Summer
    Swimming
    Things To Do
    Tourism
    Town Of Front Royal
    Trails
    Travel
    Vacation
    Virginia
    Virginia Tourism Corporation
    Visit Front Royal
    Warren County
    Wildlife
    Wine Festival
    Wineries
    Winter

    RSS Feed


DIRECTIONS

To say all roads lead to Front Royal is not an exaggeration. From the numerous winding state roads lined with gorgeous fields and farms, to fast-moving multi-laned interstates, you’ll find an easy commute to our community. Once here, we can personalize all your travel needs. ​

​Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center
414 East Main Street
Front Royal, VA 22630

Phone: 540-635-5788

Winter Hours:
Open Thurs. - Sun.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

​
Directions
HELPFUL LINKS
​
Front Royal Trolley (PDF)
Front Royal Visitors Guide
​Front Royal Weather Forecast
​
Shenandoah Valley

Visit Shenandoah
Battle of Front Royal Quest
Quest Shenandoah for  Kids


ABOUT US
​
Front Royal/​Warren County is conveniently located within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and offers numerous recreational activities, historical landmarks, and annual events in and around us. Visit Front Royal to find out why it’s the perfect location for your next family reunion, business meeting,  destination wedding, get-away weekend or ... new home!
Read More

​CONNECT

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
© 2021 Discover Front Royal | Contact Webmaster | Privacy
Theme by ROOMY THEMES
Site powered by MMES inc
Theme by ROOMY THEMES
  • Home
  • Winter 2022-23
  • Events Calendar
    • Autumn 2022
    • Summer 2022
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Adventure and Stars
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Wine Lovers
    • Pawfect Adventures
    • Adventurous Eats
    • Adventure Awaits
    • Get Out and Golf
  • Explore, Eat, Stay
    • Get Outdoors
    • Eat & Drink
    • Play & Stay
  • Photo Contest Winners 2022
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Visitor Guide
  • Tourism Partnership Resource