Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-12-24
In the "0Id Dominion"
strasburg and Vicinity.
-&J.,x-

estate owners Of the place, who orlglnai-
" laid out the town. 1t is situated in
enc of the richest and most beautiful
nortions of the Shenandoah valley; is
one OF the Oldest towns in the state, and
Is q SPOT of considerable historic inter-
est. The town was originally settled
bv Germans. and for long time the
German language was almost uniyer-
sally spoken by the inhabitants Grad
ually. however, it has become Amen-
canized, until now it is difficult to find
any one in or near the town that
speaks, reads or understands the Ger~
man language.
Strasburg is romantically nestled near
the silvery-watered Shenandoah which
runs aloug the base of the Masanutton
range which extends for distance OF 81
miles northwest and southeast, the
northwest end of the range breaking OF
abruptly Just opposite the town. Ine
highest point of this range, immediate
ly adjoining Strasburg' was held as
Signal Station for both armies dulins
the war, it being alternately in posses
sion Of the Union and Confederate ior
ces. On the north, Immediately over
looking the town, Is Galley Hill, upoi
which Gen. Banks was fortified Tor som'
fine and which, is now known az
Banks Fertilization " or Banks
Folly.p Immediately west Of the to"i
IS what is called North Mountain com
nosed of several small ranges with mar
row valleys between. South and wes
Is Fishers Hill, which is really par
oftbe North Mountain range partially
cut off by itself. Upon this spur th'
celebrated battle Of Fishers Hi tooi
place. which we shall mention, iurthe
on.
The scenery around Strasburg is yer,
beautiful, and abounds IN objects 0
more than ordinary interest to the low
or Of the beautiful, interesting and 70
mantle in Nature. Although the town
when viewed from any Of the surround
inc heights, appears to be set flat dowI
in the basin of the valley, is really ol
very undulating ground with slight ele
vations. and natural drains between
that carry of all surplus water Th'
site is a very pleasant and healthiu
one. Although one of the Oldest town
in the state, Strasburg has quite mod
ern appearance, compared with othe
b towns in the valley. There are man.
. new houses and Improvements seen, ant
. the citizens keep their residences, as
general rule, in neat repair. There
considerable business done in Strasburg
. much more than stranger would sup
10 pose, from the quiet appearance OF ID
place. It has two railroads, the Balti
more & Ohio, and the Virginia Midlan
r. road. that gives direct connection VII
the markets. There are several churct
es and frst.class school building, pre-
= sided over by an able corps OF teacher
: u;tb Prof. JOsenh McInturfl as Primo
pal. m
The society in Strasburg IS good. Ih
Town has an envlable reputation for m(
rality and good order. Hon. ODE
Funk, who has been Mayor for nun
Der Of years, having been elected al
O reelected for several terms in succes
sion. informs us that for long time
drunkenness, disorderly conduct, dis
turbance of the peace, etc., has been
exceedingly rare occurrence. This ia'
reflects great credit on the good maj
agement of public affairs by the MayC
and Council, and the character OF Il
citizens in general.
}" Bat we stwed to say something
VI the scenery surrounding Strasburg'
the very start we will admit that Oh
pencil cannot do the subject jusiic
Nothing but an actual view will enab
the reader TO form any correct idea Of
. The most prominent object that
- tracts she eye OF stranger Is the
MAssANUTToN MOUNTAIN
that looms up, seemingly at the We
edre of the town, but really across t
Shenandoah river two miles away. II
ontjcal delusion is so complete that o
is nearly ready to di.credit his o'
senses. The mountain rises abrupt
from the river bank, so steep in me-
- nlaces as to be almost inaccessible, a
ia covered with thick growth OF W
pine, cedar, gum, chestnut, hickol
beech and other varieties OF trees,
}. small growth, forming sgreen MI
that hides the rocks entirely from vi
is. except in occasional spots. But
view is so deceptive as to the dlstaI
- to the mountain, that one almost I'M
4, ines the whole thingto be a deiusi
'' Looking at the mountain from town
anaN
l., appears to be night above you; ou.
,nS you walk toward it and get abor
nd, mile. upon a rislng bit of ground VIII
Sly YOU have good view down the incl
tbe I toward the river, the mountain see
, TO have receded, and really looks TART
away than when you frst started
ward it. BY this time you are G.
or pletely under the " charm" " OF
oD mountain sprite I" that seems 10 d