Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Caching and Sightseeing in Staunton, VA 5/12/2008

Wow it's getting colder as we head north and we don't know if we can take this weather anymore. It only got into the 50's today and was cloudy with a strong wind and we're not used to this. We went caching in Staunton today and had a great time. Our first cache was behind a Dollar Store on a guardrail. the second cache was at a BBQ restaurant. Next we drove to a small park in the city and a cache hidden in a tree and then we had a virtual cache located at a memorial located on the campus of Mary Baldwin College. The memorial was for their heroes who died in World War 1 in 1917-1918. Then it was onto a multi-cache at the oldest church in Staunton, Trinity Episcopal Church, this historic church was founded in 1746. The present church, a distinguished example of early Gothic Revival architecture, was begun in 1855 and it boasts an extraordinary collection of stained glass windows, including many by Tiffany Studios. Also on the church grounds was an very old cemetery where many Revolutionary War soldiers were buried. We found the cache with no problem and it was on to the site of a city reservoir for a cache in a tree. This quite an unusual circular reservoir as it was painted bright red with a small metal lighthouse on the top of it. The last cache of the day was also in a park in the city in a tree covered with ivy, a very very difficult find.
Then it was off into downtown and a little sightseeing. Some of the things we saw are: The 300-seat Blackfriars Playhouse -- the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theatre and home of the American Shakespeare's resident theatrical troupe. It's the worlds only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theater.
The General Stonewall Jackson Hotel originally opened in 1924, the Stonewall Jackson quickly became the place to be for the area high society. The striking presence of the hotel owes its design to H.L. Stevens, who even included a one of a kind 1924 Wurlitzer Organ in the famous Colonnade Ballroom. It has recently undergone a complete renovation to historically preserve its charm while offering guests the most modern amenities, accommodations and services.
St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop of Richmond sent Passionist Father Daniel Downey D.D. to the 'mission' in Staunton in 1841. In 1849, Fr. Downey built a church named for Saint Francis of Assisi on some donated land. The coming of the railroad in the 1850's and numerous Irish Catholics increased the number of parishoners rapidly. A small school which had been operated by parishoner Mary Ann Collins welcomed the Vicentian Sisters of Charity in 1878. In 1895, a new church in 13th century gothic style covered in native green limestone was built under the direction of Fr. John McVerry. Growth continued and in 1945, a Capuchin Monstery opened nearby.
Miller House Bed & Breakfast which was designed by T.J. Collins in 1896. It sits at the top of the hill, just a few blocks from the quaint shopping district of Staunton, and is surrounded by an English garden.
The Frederick House Circa 1809 a small hotel in the historic Shenendoah Valley. The history of the Frederick House goes back to the earliest days of Staunton's rich history. From the earliest settler, John Lewis in 1732, Staunton proved to be a desirable area. In 1786, as the young town was growing, Staunton annexed the land that the Frederick House occupies today. Mr. E. Stribling purchased the property that includes today's Young, Womack, and Bower Houses. The first building to be built was the Young House on the corner of New & Frederick Streets. While the research is not completely clear, we do know that a house occupied this corner portion of the property as early as 1809. It is expected that the original house still stands although there have been many modifications over the years. The Young Family occupied the building from 1816 until 1863. In 1874, , the land was divided into three parcels. Mr. R. M. Ayres purchased the middle parcel. While an exact date has not yet been established, we know that the residence known as the Womack House appeared on city maps as early as 1877. The Womack Family purchased the property in 1922 and made numerous improvements before selling in 1982. The third parcel of land was sold to Mr. B. T. Bagley in 1874. Bagley a contractor by trade built the Bower House in 1875. The Bower Family occupied the lot from 1896 until 1983.The Cochran Family, who owned the building until 1929, built the Cochran House prior to 1870. The home first appears on city maps in 1870. The Patrick House began appearing on city maps in 1899 and just as with the Cochran House a firm construction date for the original building has not yet been established. The well-known firm of T. J. Collins and Son's were the architects of today's building, greatly enhancing the original structure. The Patrick Family owned the property from the late 1800's until 1929. Today all five residences have been lovingly restored to offer guests a choice of 23 unique rooms and suites. All rooms are different in size and décor. Each room is uniquely decorated with period furniture and antiques.
We also visited the Historic Wharf District which survives as an unusually picturesque and excellently preserved example of a turn-of-the-century warehouse and commercial district. The area most likely gained its name from its use primarily as a warehousing and trade district. Replacing less substantial wooden stores, which were destroyed by fires and increased prosperity, the current buildings of the Wharf are a visual manifestation of the remarkable growth of Staunton in the second half of the 19th century, as a result of the growth and success brought by the railroad. This new wave of prosperity helped to initiate the building of the American Hotel in the heart of A.H.H. Stuart's "Meadow," which became the Wharf Area. During the Civil War, the Wharf Area came to play an essential part in the operation of Staunton as a military post, supply depot, training and hospital center. Along South Augusta Street, arsenals were established and quartermaster and commissary warehouses were set up in close proximity to the railroad. The economic and commercial growth of Staunton continued despite the war, and the population actually increased. Although the Panic of 1873 was a blow to the business community of the Wharf Area, there was enough capital to erect the elaborate masonry Burns Building in 1874 on the site of three earlier wooden buildings. In the last quarter of the 19th century, the Wharf developed a colorful character built around the commercial ventures of commission merchants, wholesale grocers, saloons, distilleries and liveries. During the 1880s, Augusta County had a renowned wild game supply and the Wharf, with its wealth of commission merchants, was undoubtedly the point from which game was shipped to the hotels of Washington and Baltimore. Staunton also by this time had become a major railway break between Washington and Cincinnati, putting the American Hotel in a convenient location for passengers seeking food and rest on this long trip. In 1890 it is said that more passengers embarked and disembarked at Staunton's Chesapeake & Ohio station than at any other point on the line except Richmond. In 1890, streetcars drawn by mustang mules supplied an added method of transportation, running from the railway station up Augusta Street. The Staunton Development Company was established with the intent of linking the coal and iron of the areas to the west of Staunton with the local limestone. Their company office was located in the western side of the old American Hotel with the remainder of the building being transformed into a shoe factory. That same year, the Staunton Vindicator reported the destruction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station by on oncoming train.
A couple of the other things we saw were the Staunton Union Stockyards, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Pullman Restaurant one of the Shenandoah Valleys most unique restaurants, this elegant restaurant is situated in a turn-of-the-century railroad station and they specialize in contemporary American cuisine, such as roasted prime rib. Then it was on back to the RV after picking up a few things at the store and getting Muffy some dog food. Mom did our cache logs and I showered and shaved. I took a nap then as I wasn't feeling to good. We ate dinner and I am doing the blog and Mom is watching TV. Well time to say until tomorrow and we love you all.


Picture List: 1-10 Wharf area of Staunton, 11-Blackfriars Playhouse, 12-General Stonewall Jackson Hotel, 13,14,15-Mary Baldwin College, Frederick House Circa 1807, 16,17-Miller House Bed & Breakfast Circa 1896, 18-One of the older homes in Staunton, 19-Pullman Restaurant, 20-Braille sign in the Brenda L. Papke Memorial Sensory Garden at the library....this garden was designed for the visually impaired, 21-St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Circa 1897, 22-Blue Ridge Mountains from the Mary Baldwin College campus, 23-The fountain in the Memorial Sensory Garden at the library, 24-City reservoir (note lighthouse on top), 25-The Great Philadelphia Wagon Road Historic Marker, 26-Ebenezer Baptist Church.