To complete our tour of Shenandoah NP we took US211 back to the center entrance to the NP and drove the Skyline Drive all the way to the southern terminus. So in all, we have driven all 105 miles of Skyline Drive through the park. We stopped at most of the pull outs to enjoy the views, but some had trees and foliage that have grown up and blocked the view. One stop was so we could see “The Old Man in the Mountain” formation. We also stopped at the Big Meadow Visitor Center toured the exhibits there. The park movie is currently not being shown. The park was created in the 1930s by using eminent domain to force people, who’s families had been on the land for generations, to sell the land to the state which then handed it over to the NPS. The park was pushed by industrialists’ who felt a national park would bring more business to their resorts and businesses. They convinced President Herbert Hoover by bringing him to the area for a fishing trip. He liked it so much that he bought 165 acres for his own home which became his summer White House. The CCC built the Skyline Drive, campgrounds, lodges and other park infrastructure during the depression and the park was opened in 1938. To build Skyline Drive, the CCC had to move the Appalachian Trail off the ridge top to make way for the road.
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| The Old Man in the Mountain formation |
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