Historic Shenandoah Valley

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If you ever want to take a trip to God's Country, this is the place !
The Shenandoah is an Indian name meaning "Daughter of the Stars". The Valley is situated on a level and fertile ground and lies in between two mountain ranges. The Blue Ridge Mountains to the East, and the Appalachian Mountains to the West. The Shenandoah Valley was noted as "The Breadbasket Of The Confederacy" because of its market towns and many farms that dotted the landscape. It stretches approximately 180 miles going Southwest from Winchester to Roanoke, but the valley actually starts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia at the crevice of the Potomac and Shenandoah River. The Shenandoah Valley's elevation climbs upward as you move South, so the Northern Shenandoah Valley is actually referred to as the lower part of the valley, and the Southern end is the Upper Part of the Valley. The Shenandoah Valley was a prime location during the War Between The States, and places such as Winchester, changed hands between armies over 72 times. The valley lies on the western neck of Virginia, bordered by West Virginia, and was settled predominantly by Scotch-Irish as well as some Hessian and Germans who came down through Pennsylvania, moving south and west. These settlers would eventually wind up in Tennessee and the back of North and South Carolina.

The best time to visit the valley is between October and December when the leaves are at their peak.

Here's a sampling of the towns:

Winchester: Known as "The Top Of Virginia" and also "The Honeymoon Capital Of The World", Winchester boasts a large history, as the oldest town West Of The Blue Ridge. Home Of the Apple Blosom Festival and Country Music Legend Patsy Cline, this sleepy little town is a world away from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. -yet a relatively easy drive. If you plan to visit, make you sure you see Stonewall Jackson's Headqauarters (the house owned by Mary Tyler Moore's great grandfather), The Old Post Office, The Handley Library, and Patsy Cline's home on 608 S. Kent St. It also boasts Shenandoah University- which has a great music department











Harrisonburg: James Madison University is here, and this is truly a great college town. Harrisonburg is home to a lot of neo-hippies, and that along with its old traditions as a Southern college town, make it an interesting place to visit. There are many places to hear live music as well- including the famous "Little Grill" on N. Main St.






Staunton: Thats properly called "Stan-ton"- is the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and the second oldest city in the valley next to Winchester. It has Mary Baldwin College- one of the very first colleges for women, established in the 1840s. Staunton is also home to The Statler Brothers and one our presidents, Woodrow Wilson.





Lexington: There is a gracious statue of Robert E. Lee at repose here in the Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee college. Stonewall Jackson resided here for a time as well. Of all the towns in the Valley, Lexington is the least commercial. Its like stepping back in time. I don't even think they have any fast food to speak of in historic Lexington. There are nice shops and restaurants, however. Virgina Military Institute is also right in Lexington.









Roanoke: Dubbed "Star City Of The South", Roanoke is the largest city in the Shenandoah Valley, and the gateway to Virginia's Southwest region. Roanoke has a large farmer's market, and connected to the greater Roanoke Valley.








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  1. McFredDecember 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM

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