Shenandoah County, Virginia

156 Orkney Drive 1LT Charles Bare Gatewood 54th Pennsylvania Monument 5855 Gospel Street 5907 Gospel Street 5923 Gospel Street 5928 Main Street 5974 Main Street 5976-5980 Main Street 5986 Main Street 5998 Main Street 6005 Main Street 6013 Main Street 6024 Main Street 6028 Main Street 6036 Main Street A Genuine Relic A Natural Bombproof Action at Mill Creek Action of Toms Brook American Legion Andrew Zirkle Mill Ashby District Honor Roll Banks’ Fort Baptism of Fire Battle of Cedar Creek Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Fisher’s Hill Battle of New Market Battle of New Market Birthplace of the CCC Blacksmith Shop Bowman Family Camp Barracks Cavalry Engagement Cedar Creek Charred Timbers Civil War Action in Edinburg Civil War Strasburg Col. Turner Ashby Confederate Memorial Confederate Memorial County of Shenandoah Creative Women of Fishers Hill Crystal Caverns Mine Died on the Field of Honor…" DuPont at Rude’s Hill Edinburg Edinburg Mill Edinburg Mill Rain Garden Fairfax Line Fanny Stone Field Fortifications Fisher's Hill Fisher's Hill Fisher's Hill Battlefield Fisher’s Hill Fisher’s Hill Fisher’s Hill Fisher’s Hill Fisher’s Hill Fisher’s Hill Fort Bowman Fort Valley Church of God in Christ Jesus Frontier Fort Gen. John Sevier Heroism in Defeat Historic Strasburg Historic Strasburg Historic Strasburg Historic Strasburg Historic Strasburg Historic Strasburg Hupp Cave Hupp's Hill Hupp's "Little Gem" Hupp’s Hill In Memory of General Robert E. Lee In Memory of Noah Richard Proctor Jackson in New Market John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg Keyhole Cave Know Your Watershed Address Last Indian-Settler Conflict Lest We Forget Lieutenant Colonel A.S. "Sandie" Pendleton C.S.A. Lower Cave Lunette Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma May 15, 1864 May 15, 1864 May 15, 1864 Mayor Joseph A. "Joe" Williams McNeill’s Last Charge Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge Mess Hall Moore House 1872 Mount Jackson Mount Jackson Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Mt. Jackson Fire Company Mt. Jackson General Hospital, CSA Mt. Jackson United Methodist Church Mt. Zion Methodist Church Murphy House New Market New Market Battlefield Park Open House Our Soldiers’ Cemetery Paul Henkel Post-Appomattox Tragedy Reformed Church in the United States Replica of a 19th Century Town Pump Robert Fechner Memorial Forest Rude's Hill Rude’s Hill Action Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church Samuel Kercheval Schoolhouse Bench Sevier’s Birthplace Shenandoah County / Warren County Shenandoah County Courthouse Shenandoah County Farm and Alms House Shenandoah County Jail Shenandoah Guest House Signal Knob Signal Knob Site of New Market Academy and New Market Polytechnic Institute Sonner House St. Andrews Episcopal Church Stoner-Keller House & Mill Stonewall Jackson Stonewall's Surprise Stoney Creek Flood Water Level Strasburg Strasburg Strasburg Stone & Earthenware Mfg. Co. Summers & Koontz Monument Sunset Hill School The Battle of Fishers Hill The Battle of New Market The Battle of New Market The Bushong Farm The Confederate Hospital The Great Train Raid The Great Train Raid of 1861 The Henkel House The Old Home of William F. Rupp The oldest business in Woodstock The Original Fire Bell The Post-Appomattox Tragedy Monument The Shenandoah Valley / Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 The Shirley House The Stony Creek Line The Stover - McGinnis House The Summers & Koontz Executions This Building of This Fertile Land This Rustic Pile Thomas Garland Jefferson To All Confederates Toms Brook Toms Brook Town of Edinburg Town of Mount Jackson Town of New Market Town of Strasburg Town of Woodstock Trail Head Trenches On Hupp's Hill Union Church Valley Pike Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Bell Veterans Memorial Flagpoles Welcome to Woodstock's Lovework Wheat Fan When Pig Iron was King Winter Quarters Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock World War II Memorial World War II Memorial "Lest We Forget!" "Snapp House" “Good-bye, Lieutenant, I am killed.”
Shenandoah County, situated in the northern part of the commonwealth of Virginia, has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Algonquian-speaking Shawnee and the Iroquoian-speaking Tuscarora. However, European settlers arrived in the mid-1700s and began to shape the region's history.

Shenandoah County was established in 1772, named after the Native American word meaning "beautiful daughter of the stars." The early settlers primarily came from German and Scotch-Irish backgrounds, bringing with them their unique cultures and traditions. The county played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, with local militias actively involved in the conflict.

During the 19th century, Shenandoah County experienced significant growth and development. The area became known for its productive agricultural practices, particularly in the production of wheat, corn, and apples. In addition to farming, industries such as milling, iron production, and tanning also thrived. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850s further facilitated economic growth and commerce in the region.

The Civil War deeply impacted Shenandoah County, as it became a key battleground between Union and Confederate forces. The Battle of New Market in 1864, fought in the neighboring town, showcased the bravery of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute. After the war, the county faced challenging times as it worked to rebuild its infrastructure and economy.

In the 20th century, Shenandoah County continued to evolve as industries diversified and modernized. Agriculture remained important, but new sectors like manufacturing and tourism emerged. The area's natural beauty, including the stunning Shenandoah River and scenic Shenandoah Valley, attracted visitors from near and far. Today, Shenandoah County honors its history while embracing modern growth, providing a vibrant community for residents and visitors alike.
Brief timeline of the history of Shenandoah County, Virginia:

  • 1772 - Shenandoah County is established as one of the original nine counties in Virginia.
  • 1785 - The county seat of Shenandoah County is established in Woodstock.
  • 1849 - The Virginia Central Railroad is completed, connecting Shenandoah County to other parts of the state.
  • 1862 - During the American Civil War, Shenandoah County is the site of several battles, including the Battle of New Market.
  • 1908 - Shenandoah Caverns, a popular tourist attraction, is discovered in the county.
  • 1974 - The Shenandoah County Historic Society is established to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • 2004 - Shenandoah County celebrates its 250th anniversary with various events and activities.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Shenandoah County, Virginia.

Audiobooks about the history of Virginia.