Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

refuge from cares u StdVc "AiSiA AAS
established on the sparkling waters
of the Rapidan in the picturesque
Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Impressed, through grim experience, with the
need for q quiet, convenient retreat close 70
the soothing influences Of primeval nature.
where surcease may be had from the neaVy
burdens of the presidential ofice, Mr. hoover
hands over to his successor and to successors
to come full title to the invigoratng pleasures
and restful surroundings of his mountain iooge.
Whether President Roosevelt will avail him.
self of the inviting seclusion of the newly
dedicated Summer White House" in the viii
derness remains to be seen. Swimming, net
fishing, is his chief recreation While the
camp at present has no swimming pool, II
would be comparatively simple matter 70
construct one, making use Of the cool, clear
water that tumbles down the mountain SLOPES
to form the Rapdan.
He would find, too that the we'll equipped lodge
is like a magic balm to a tired mind and frayed
nerves And the best part CT all is that the
haven is scarcely more than two hours py
automobile from the White Hcuse-an almost
irresistible lure from the exhausting heat OF
Midsummer.
Presidential vacations and where TO spend
them Ing has been a question of considerable
national moment
The problem has been solved in various ways,
sometimes by leaving the Capital for extended
periods, which many Of our Chief Executives
hesitate to do, above all, at times OF national
stress Others sought refuge on the yacht
Nfayfower on which they could in brief
week end find the refreshing breezes OF the
Chesapeake But President Hoover thought the
upkeep of the Mayflower staggeringy expen-
sive-he is not fond of yachting-and there
fore he decided to put the ship out of COM
mission Fishing his JOY and recreation.
But where was he to find it close to the Capital
at minimum Of expense?
The Blue Ridge Mountains, the crow flies,
are scarcely hundred miles away, but at That
time the roads Of the region were all but I'M
passab,e. 1t was, however. decided to inVesti-
gate that section with an eye to possible
CAMP In the meanwhile the question arose
as to what to do with the Marine guard who
had served ON the Mayfower. friend OF the
President familiar with their work, sug-
gested that they might be used to guard the
proposed camp. If they could guard 1t, per-
haps they might be abe to construct it. Camp
ing after ALL was soldiers business. So Gen.
Neville, commandant at that time was con-
suited He sent for his quartermaster, who
deteilei en- officer to go with the President on
an inspection CT a ccrtc7r ID ate.
The place proved imposs be, the officer
volunteered to go again the next day to see
what he could find. He went some six miles
beycnd Criglersville by car, then he had to
take to horse, and within mile and half
of the present site he had to walk. or rather
scramble through underbrush. But his efforts
wooded plateau near springs and trout streams
probably one Of the loveliest spots east Of the
Ro.ki-s with the exception Of the Great
Sirokies, which are not yet voyageable.
Gen Nevilles rather casual orders to put
up a few tents for the President" were about
to be carried out First, however, certain legal
difficulties bad to be cleared up, for though
the location is in the Shenandoah National
Park, the park is net yet fact in law. The
State of Virginia has condemned the land and
has the money to pay for it, so that within
the next few months it will actually exist. but
in 1929 when the camp was started, all The
land was still in owners hands.
The President bought 200 acres with his own
money; the Marine Corps negotiated the lease
of another 900 acres from far sighted Virginia
family, who realized how much the camp would
mean to the neighborhood, and agreed to the
vast rent of 81 year. The President was also
able to secure an additional 200 acres on
equally hard terms making a total of 1900
acres available for the camp
THE Marines had to survey the ground and,
] first necessity of all, construct roads to
make the pace accessible. For the original
camp hey cleared about a mile and q half OF
old trail to get up to what was known as Five
Tents. This only a makeshift- Then the
State of Virginia, through private subscription,
aided specially by Madison County, built . road
from Robinson River Bridge. near Criglersville.
to within $50 yards of the Presidents camp.
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