Evening star., 1924-12-14
Hate by MaiI-PaynbIe I'm Advance.
MARYLAND md Yirginia.
All Other States.
Shenandoah National Park.

After investigation of every availa-
bic area suitable for pre-emption as a
national park i'll the Eastern part Of
the country, the commission named by
Inc Secretary of the Interior has
chosen the Blue Ridge, and a recon-
mendation that this tract of land, COM
prising about 900 square miles, be ac-
ouired by the Government and set
apart as a scenic reservation will be
made at once to Congress.
Washington is particularly interest
ed in this selection, inasmuch as the
proposed national park lies within a
few hours of travel from the Capital
TO the people of the District, indeed,
1t is fairly well known. Yet most of
Them will be surprised to learn through
the report of the commission of the
full possibilities of the area. The
commission recommends the inclusion
OF veritably the entire Blue Ridge,
which lies to the east of the Shenan-
doah Valley and extends for 100 miles
from northeast to southwest, with an
average width Of miles. Save for
lew miles in the lower fringes of the
area the timber growth is virgin, hav-
ing never been numbered. Except for
sporadic fires covering a few acres in
extent, which have not destroyed the
big timber, there has been no devasta-
fion from this cause throughout the
region. There are numerous peaks
over 1000 feet in height. Numerous
streams flow through the region with
water falls. Gorges, caves and
canyons abound. Within a few miles
from the park itself, as the boundaries
gre proposed, lie some of the most
noted limestone caverns in the world,
with their marvellous stalactite forma-
ffons. a wide variety of plant life
abounds. During every season of the
year the scene is one of rare beauty.
This area is practically unsettled.
There are no towns, factories, mines,
quarries, power plants or other de-
velopments within it. Most of the
holdings are in large blocks. The pur-
chase Of this tract by the Government
would not involve high expenditures
for so-called improvements. 1t is al
most exclusively wild land. The only
expenditure involved outside of the
acquisition, to transform it into
park reservation would be for road
hailding to make the points of particu-
lar interest accessible. A great State
Highway, a section of the Lee high.
way, crosses the ridge, and when COM
pleted, which will be in a short time,
will give access directly from Wash
ington and beyond the park will lead
10 Luray and the Shenandoah Valley.
1t is estimated that within a radius
Of 100 miles of this projected park
lie most of the historic points of in
forest in this country, such as Gettys-
burg, Mount Vernon, Valley Forge
The history Of the national struggle
for existence is written within this
sweep. Over 35,0O0,0O0 people live
within days journey OF the proposed
park by rail, or two days journey by
automobile. More than one-third of
the population Of the United States,
therefore, are located close enough to
visit this natural pleasure land within
q few hours.
1t Is proposed to develop this park,
when acquired, in the same manner
as the national parks of the West, to
establish roads and places OF enter
tainment and to provide camping
spaces with the essential facilities for
comfort. In short, the Shenandoah
National Park, embracing this great
range Of the Appalachian Hills. will
he to the Eastern part of the United
States what the Yellowstone and
Yosemite and Rocky Mountain Parks
are to the West