Fort Valley Virginia

Fort Valley is a 23 mile long mountain valley located in Shenandoah County Virginia. Called by a “valley within a valley” and a “gem within a gem” the valley lies between the arms of the Massanutten Mountain Range. It is closed on the south end and is accessible in the north via a narrow gap created by Passage Creek.

Europeans first arrived in the Fort in the mid-18th century. Native Americans had used the land for hundreds of years as hunting grounds and farms. These arriving whites took possession of the land and began to clear forests to create their own farms and communities. Since the valley was isolated and everything had to be built by the individuals involved, life during this period would have been incredibly difficult. Despite this, several families remained in the area and are still present today.

The antebellum period saw the growth of the iron furnace industry in Fort Valley. Since the area contained several high quality iron deposits that were easily accessible, it became home to numerous operations that worked to provide Virginia and the nation’s growing demand for this metal. During the Civil War, these iron furnaces were a major supplier to the Confederacy’s Tredger Iron Works in Richmond which produced most of the South’s arms and ammunition.

After the war the iron furnaces continued to operate. In addition manganese mines, lumberyards, and bark tanning operations supplied locals with jobs. However, agriculture and the family farm continued to be the main means of support for Fort Valley residents into the later part of the 20th century.

During the Great Depression an economic shift began to occur. Government programs, both state and Federal, began to focus on developing the area’s woodlands and natural resources for tourism. This trend continues today and the majority of Fort Valley residents are in some way connected to the service economy that developed to assist travelers that come to one of the Fort’s numerous campgrounds, trails, or recreation centers.

Burner's Resort

In 1850 Noah Burner, a native of Fort Valley, built a resort on this location. Known as either Burner’s Sulphur Springs or Shenandoah Springs, it was known for its hospitable welcomes, blazing fires, and delicious food. The true attraction though…

Elizabeth Furnace

In 1836 this area had been home to Elizabeth Iron Furnace. This was one of many small iron producing furnaces that existed throughout Fort Valley and Shenandoah County. Elizabeth utilized the power provided by waters of Passage Creek. Initially the…

Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

In January 1896 a group of dissatisfied Lutherans finally made the decision to break away from St. Davids Lutheran Church and start their own congregation. That year they completed this structure and named it Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran…

St. David's Lutheran Church

In 1816 the Reverend Paul Henkel, a notable Lutheran minister in the valley, noted Lutheran residents of Fort Valley formed their own independent congregation. Their meeting house stood on land donated by Jacob Golladay near the mountain road. Many…

Powells Fort

According to local legends, an individual named William Powell settled in the northern end of Fort Valley during the mid-18th century. A wide array of stories has emerged about his life. Some of these are: -He was a stage coach robber who used his…

Faith Lutheran Church

In 1965 the Lutheran Congregations of St. Davids and Mt. Zion Churches agreed to end the 75 year old dispute that had separated them. This effort was a result of several decades of improved relations that had led to joint Sunday Schools and Youth…

Dry Run Christian Church

Dry Run Christian Church was born around 1841, when a small congregation began meeting at the Union Church at Dry Run in Fort Valley. In 1879 this congregation joined the American Christian Church which followed the tenants that Christ was the head…

Union Church at Dry Run

In 1830, Fort Valley resident Daniel Munch donated two acres of land to house a school and church. He required that the church be available for all Protestant denominations. The one room church building that was constructed there was made of locally…

Trinity Brethren Church

In 2008 a second building, Trinity Brethren Church, became part of the Fort Valley Museum. The trustees of that congregation were no longer able to support the building due to a decline in membership and transferred ownership top the museum to ensure…

Fort Valley Manganese Mines

When Europe went to war in August of 1914 the residents of Fort Valley Virginia could have scarcely realized how important their small community would become to the US economy. During the late 1800s a manganese mine had operated in Fort Valley to…