The Undying Past of Shenandoah National Park

by Darwin Lambert

A history of this national park written in conjunction with its 50th anniversary.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly what I wanted when looking for a history of Shenandoah, but I will say it is a bit dated and dry. Still, it gave me a lot to think about. As a big fan of the National park system and also of conservation in general, this provided perspective on the impact on the people of the area and the consequences of establishing this park in particular.

[Dan Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of the park history, if not particularly scholarly. This reads much like an experienced guides talk put into text.

I would have liked better maps. I had to use Google Maps frequently to find where he has talking about. I’m sure if you’ve worked at the park for decades you know where all these places are, but the average reader likely does not.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information, this book inspired me to spend more time in the park, to try and find some of these artifacts but also just to be there as it was intended. Proud sometimes, of where I'm from.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I've walked the park through the ages, and I haven't even been there yet!

[Henry Kline · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of history that I had no idea existed, maybe in too much detail. The final chapters are a brief outline of the first 50 years of the park.

[Roy McCullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book. I have always loved hiking in Shenandoah National Park, not only because of its natural beauty, breathtaking views, tasty blackberries, and the occasional bear sighting, but also because of the way you can feel the closeness and immediacy of the rich history of the region as you hike along. Old stone walls, crumbling foundations, abandoned mines and moonshine hollows, the overgrown traces of old fields and wild orchards, these are all things the hiker encounters when traveling the trails of Shenandoah National Park. Unlike most national parks meant to preserve wilderness areas and natural features on land already owned by the federal government, Shenandoah National Park was established on land that had been inhabited and well-worked for generations. This long history has left its mark on the landscape and it is the author’s primary focus in this book. Within its pages you will not find a long explanation of the geological processes that cast up the Appalachians to heights greater than those of the Himalayas today, nor will you find a detailed administrative history of the park (although the discussion of the haggling and politicking that surrounded the acquisition of lands and funds is quite good.) Instead, the author presents us with fascinating portraits of the people who inhabited this land before the park’s establishment: the Native Americans, the explorers and trappers, the settlers and farmers, the speculators and soldiers, the distant well-to-do landholders and the struggling, local “mountain folk” (a term the author convincingly argues is a misleading generalization applied to what was really a very diverse group of families living in these mountains). After reading this book I now know the stories and the families that lie behind the naming of so many of the key landmarks in Shenandoah National Park, such as the Turks (Turk Mountain), the Nicholsons (Nicholson Hollow), the Comptons (Compton Gap), the Overalls (Overall Run), and many more. My future hikes in the park will be enriched for having read this book. As an added bonus, the book is teeming with fascinating historical photographs, drawings and documents that add depth and color to the narrative. If you are someone who enjoys Shenandoah National Park, this book is highly recommended.

[Ells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning with pre Paleo-Indian cultures, Lambert explores all who have lived within the current boundaries of the Shenandoah National Park. Fascinating!