Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1925-08-26
HE SHENANDOAH NATIONAL
PARK

Harrisonburg, Va, August 22.-
lat part of Virginia, which origina-
and started the first movement to
ablish the first Southern National
rk in the Blue Ridge mountains of
State, will be the battle-ground
the first drive to raise funds to
v the 100000 across the mountain
Ia and donate it to the Federal
kernment as the Virginia-Blue
lge National Park.
This announcement was made to-
\, following a conference of of
ais of the Shenandoah National
rk Association. Inc, Capt. John
ul, former member of Congress
IN Virginia. was selected as Chair
n of the "Fund-getting commit
!" for the counties of Rockingham,
enandoah, and Page, where the
tginia, National Park movement
ginated 10 months ago. After his
bointment Capt. Paul named |. L.
Trey, of Elkton, as fund getter
hirman for Shenandoah; Edw. ~
Try, Fund getter for Page, and
|mer Mayor John Morrison, Fund
ter Chairman for Harrisonburg.
|rhe drive, which will include Vir-
ia and the States of the East will
|rt in Rockingham, Page and Shen-
loah September 1st. After being
ished here it will be transferred to
sderick, Clark and Warren, where
und getting organization will be
up. From the Winchester area
will go to Charlottesville and the
dmont Virginia counties, and then
Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke and
er sections of Virginia. A total
50, 100000 will be the objective.
IF the people of Virginia are
earnest in wanting the first
tional Park to be located in the
lth," said Capt. Paul, "they may
we'll make up their minds
dig down into their pockets
get the money with which
buy the site in the Blue Ridge
untains, which they have offered
government. That is the only
" they will get the National Park.
m convinced that Congress, in
w of the strong sentiment to hold
En appropriations will not provide
hds to furnish the site. They will
wide the money to develop the
tional Park. There is an unwrit-
law in Congress that the govern
MT will not buy a National Park
J. If this rule is once broken, a
pd of Parks will be offered the
Fernment by States.
rhe question therefore is up to the
|ginia people. If they want the
fk, they must furnish the money to
the site. If they raised the
100000 they will get it. There
ao doubt of that fact. If they
ut, well---we may not get the
rk.
The establishment of National
rk in the Blue Ridge mountains OF
ginia is the greatest opportunity
ered the State in half country
know nothing to parallel it. The
rk will bring millions of tourist:
e to pay homage at our Historical
ines. It will bring many mer
e with capital to help develope
State. It will mark a new era
Virginia. and in my judgment il
| be the turning point when Vir
ia will begin to realize it has
nething to attract capital and visi
s. In other words. | believe ar
of development in Virginia vii
low the development of this Parl
It will mean more than many Of
now realize.
.Virginians are human. They
mt magnet to draw people to he
rders like Florida and California
'whole world is talking abou
two States. Give us the Ma
hal Mark and Virginia will becom,
summer mecca for tourists Just a
prida and California are the winte
cca for those seeking recreation il
winter.