Journey Through Hallowed Ground

The article is a bit self-indulgent today. A particular National Scenic Byway fascinated me for quite awhile. Aficionados call it the “Journey Through Hallowed Ground“. Much of my life centered on places along this 180-mile line. I’ve driven portions of it literally hundreds of times.

Cavalry Demonstration. Photo by howderfamily.com; (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Union Cavalry Reenactors near Front Royal, Virginia

I’ve also visited many but not all of the sites considered integral to the Hallowed Ground. This aligns, as one might expect, with my physical proximity and my dual interests in history and geography.

So what do I do when I don’t find the maps on the official website satisfactory for my purposes? I create my own. Fortunately the website provides a convenient list of waypoints to make this a fairly simple exercise. I did find a few that weren’t entirely correct, and “fixed” them though.

Perhaps a few people on the Intertubes will also find it useful. I’ve set the map option to “public” hoping others may benefit even if I developed it primarily for personal enjoyment.


A Lot of History in a Small Place

The hallowed ground covers a remarkably compact territory considering its significance during the first century of United States history. Founding fathers and early presidents including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe called this area home. Hugely important Civil War battles including Gettysburg, Antietam, and First and Second Manassas happened here. Plus, dozens of smaller engagements ravaged the landscape. It’s hard to move even a few miles without running into something of profound historical significance.


A Hidden Gem

The Graffiti House. Photo by Michael Noirot; (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The Graffiti House

There are some lesser-known places I’ve wanted to visit too. The Graffiti House tops that list (map). Both Union and Confederate armies stopped here frequently as they marched along the ancient Carolina Road between various campaigns. It also served as a Confederate field hospital during the nearby Battle of Brandy Station. This was the largest cavalry engagement in U.S. history.

Soldiers from both armies left extensive doodles and writings on the walls. The owner covered-up these markings with wallpaper after the war and everyone forgot about them until the 1990’s. The home only recently passed into the hands of a foundation that will protect it. They’ve recently made it available for limited public viewing.


A Wide Range of Sites

There seems to be quite a divergence in the historical significance of sites included on the list. Obviously, few are going to argue that Gettysburg and Monticello aren’t historic. Some of the places, however, appear to have been added to fill out the map or drive tourism to some of the more obscure corners. The Point of Rocks bridge (map)? Really?

IMG_3204 (Point of Rocks Bridge). Photo by Mark Plummer; (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

I guess I’ll always think of this bridge as an easy way across the border into nearby Maryland when I was newly of drinking age, and wanted cheap booze. That liquor store even had a drive-through window! It was quite a striking contrast to the state-run Virginia liquor stores. Those embodied all the ambiance of the old Soviet Union.

Some grounds, even among the hallowed grounds, are more hallowed than others.


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4 responses to “Journey Through Hallowed Ground”

  1. Randy Clark Avatar

    I heard something about this being a way to take property by eminent domain. Hopefully not true but a bit worrisome.

  2. John Jones Avatar

    Hey,
    Wow, this is a terrific story blog. You’ve been to a lot of sites within the Journey. No doubt, some have a bit more to offer than others, but all, as you noted, play their role in creating the diverse fabric of our nation’s history… And by chance are you related to Judge Howder? I didn’t know the judge, but a friend of mine did.

    @Randy, the Journey has nothing to do with “eminent domain.” It’s just not who they/we are.
    All the best and keep “indulging”

    1. Twelve Mile Circle Avatar

      All of us Howders are related. 🙂

      The judge turned 80 years old a few days ago, is in excellent health and vitality, and still lives atop the Catoctin Ridge overlooking the Hallowed Ground.

      1. John Jones Avatar

        Birthday wishes to the judge and many more! Thanks for the info. No doubt it will be welcome news to my friend!

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