Shenandoah County Library Archives

Shenandoah County Library Digital Archives

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This photograph shows the Massanutten Academy's rifle squad in 1940. Due to the military nature of the institution rifle training was standard for each student. The 1940 school yearbook noted it “was practically continuous during the first and second…

In 1940 the Massanutten Academy’s Yearbook noted this varsity swim team’s record was “enviable in the best inter-scholastic swimming circles.”

The school had dominated at eight swim meets throughout the mid-Atlantic and over fifty teams,…

Little was recorded about horse-back riding at Massanutten Academy in 1940. Apparently most of it was done at Camp Lupton, the academy’s recreation center and maneuver grounds along the Shenandoah River east of town.

In addition to camping…

For several years during the 1960s and 1970s, Stonewall Jackson High School fielded a competition gymnastics team. At the time, it and cheerleading were the only two sports offered to girls at the time.
While information is sketchy, it appears that…

Photograph showing James L. Cullen of Edinburg Virginia. Cullen served during the First World War. He lived from 1894-1957. During the conflict he was gassed and never truly recovered.

On April 13, 1945 Corporal Aiden Zirkle died on Okinawa. He was a member of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Regiment, First Marine Division. Reports indicate he succumbed to wounds obtained while leading his unit against an entrenched machine…

On September 3, 1917 Shenandoah County's draft board issued this order to report to Samuel L. Spiggle of Lantz Mills VA. Though only considered an alternate at the time of this order, Mr. Spiggle did enter the US Army and served throughout the First…

This letter was sent from J.S. Patterson to Samuel Spiggle on October 2, 1919. Both were members of the 80th Infantry Division during the First World War and this piece of correspondence discusses efforts to locate old comrades and their life after…

This article appeared in the December 12, 1941 edition of the Shenandoah Herald. In it local defense official Cecil Newcorn announced he had received a message ordering the county's lookout posts to be manned around the clock. Eventually sixteen of…

Newspaper clipping showing local men involved in the Civilian Pilots Training Program at the Winchester Airport. The program allowed civilians to be trained to fly aircraft in advance of any induction into military service. It was sponsored by the…

Newspaper clipping showing one of the observation towers built in Shenandoah County during the early part of World War Two. These sites were designed to watch for incoming enemy planes and to monitor US aircraft overhead. They were staffed by…

This Christmas greeting and prayer appeared on the front page of the Shenandoah Herald on December 19, 1941. It reflected on the military service of many county residents and the separation that caused during the holidays.

As the article notes,…

This editorial appeared in the December 8, 1941 edition of the Northern Virginia Daily. Published in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it gives insight into how the local community reacted to the assault. 

The article echoes…

Three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, this advertisement appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily. It notes that war had been declared before Christmas but encourages individuals to still buy while prices were low.

This…

On April 23, 1945 the Northern Virginia Daily, published in Strasburg Virginia, printed this editorial expressing outrage toward recent reports about German and Japanese atrocities.

During the preceding weeks and months, American, British, and…

On December 11, 1941 rationing began in the United States when the government created 7,500 ration boards around the country to limit the sale of tires and other rubber products. Between that date and 1946 sales of hundreds of other items, including…

The photograph shows the Arion family on the porch of their store in Quicksburg Virginia. From left to right is an unidentified man, Worthington Arion, Catherine Arion, Bessie Arion, William Arion, and Marvin D. Arion.

This family would operate…

On May 20, 1927 Strasburg High School’s seniors graduated during commencement exercises held at the Strand Theatre. This invitation was one of numerous cards ordered by the class’ 38 graduates. Originally the event seems to have been planned for June…

Sometime during the First World War this story was written about the United States flag. Though the story is undated, its reference to troops going “over the top” in France indicates it was composed during that conflict. Most likely it was produced…

Photograph showing Benjamin Franklin Boyer and his wife Julia Penelope McInturff Boyer, both of Fort Valley Virginia.

Photograph of Ray Franklin Boyer (b. June 15 1918-d. July 5 1995) of Fort Valley Virginia.

In 1949 the Shenandoah Valley Drive In Theatre opened just south of Woodstock Virginia. The theater had a single screen, large concession stand, and could accommodate 300 cars.

This operation opened at the time when Drive-In Theatres were…

A vast majority of European immigrants who came to Shenandoah County had a strong German background. With them came the Lutheran faith and the strong desire to preserve their heritage.

The Henkel family of New Market built a printing business…

Sometime between 1900 and 1925, one member of the Lichliter family produced this drawing. Unfortunately, whoever was responsible failed to leave any information behind.

What we do know is that the Lichliters lived on Washington Street in…

Photograph taken by Hugh Morrison of Harold Huffman Shenandoah County native and World War Two Veteran.
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