Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-16
HISTORIC SPOTS IN JEFFERSON
COUNTY.

Jefferson county in geographical
setting is the most eastern county of
West Virginia, and contains about $50
square miles. Its mean length is
about p miles, breadth II miles.
Ii may seem TO you that our local
history has been rather well en-
phasized lately BY various newspa-
per articles, the little booklets recent
iy published and circulated by the Wo-
mans Club of Shepherdstown, and in
other ways. II seems that unusual in
terest has been aroused, which is as
It should be. Furthermore, all We
gentle folk, with an inbred taste for
lore, and imbued with that love for
the land Of your birth or home. lust
take up study of this delightful kind.
and see how profitable and ENJOYABLE
it is.
In your researches, you will have
many surprises, and will surely ex-
claim Every foot of Jefferson county
soil is historic"
One historic spot would have been
sufficient for the time allotted: as il
is, must needs condensc and summar-
ize, and 1t is for you to delve more
deeply for your own pleasure.
The very name of Jefferson county
touches an historical note, for it was
named for man who made history
ana was history itself, Thomas Jeffer-
son.
Its location is one Of the greatest his
torical significance, at the junction of
the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers
forming the gateway for the world
famed Valley of Virginia.
Jefferson county herself is not of
venerable age, but was cut off from
Berkeley county in 1901, which in turn
was formerly part of Frederick
county, Va. But she can boast of
historical springs, creeks, rivers, fer
RES, churches, towns and villages, bat
fairgrounds, homes, sons and dauph
tiers, ruins, and graves. What a galaxy
TO draw from.
hope you will pardon depression
somewhat from the allotted subject,
TO mention some of our natural his
tory spots with which the Creator has
endowed our county. We have mari
deposits, iron ore, dolomite in large
quantities, and limestone in limrless
quantity, whoes analysis is of the very
highest and best. The cement, while |
OF high grade. is as yet undevelopei. |
The fertility of the soil is UNSURPASSED
Shannondale Springs, along the
Shenandoah river and Blue Ridge
mountains, can boast of medicinal
waters in analysis closely resembling
those of Bedford, in composition, oper-
alton and efficacy.
Along the Rattlesnake run, about
mile from its mouth, is white sui |
phur spring whose existence is hardly
known Yet, years ago, someone had
its waters analysed, and they were
found highly medicinal. | have often
TASTED this water, and can vouch for
e us ulpdldtdDle HaVOr.
Our county is partly bounded by two
historic rivers. The Shenandoah, the
Indian name for 1.-THE river of the
stars" linked with the world famed
Valley of Virginia, is one whose fame
and beauty have been heralded in
prose, poetry and song. That portion
thA
ty, in early times, was crossed by
ferries bearing the names of our earl
lest settlers. The most noted of these
are Reyes Ferry, still in operation.
and harper's Ferry, long since done
away with, and the river spanned 10
the Virginia shore by substantial
bridge.
The other historic river bathing our
boundary is the Potomac, once the Co
hongoruta, or river of the wild
goose" 1t is our most noted stream,
and historians concede the Potomac to
be the most noted river in the United
States. For natural beauty, Just Wis
it the hills overlooking the junction
OF the Shenandoah and Potomac, climb
upon historic Jefferson's Rock, and
see them join forces and break through
the Blue Ridge mountains at Ear-
per's Ferry. Jefferson truly said, that
view was worth trip across the ocean.
verify believe that no more beautiful
scenery can be found. Our ID. A. r.
chose wisely and we'll when they nam
ed the Chapter the Pack Horse Ford
Chapter. Years, indeed ages, before