2026-05-14T09:51:57-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories https://shenandoahstories.org 2016-05-03T16:57:02-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:20-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/12 Shenandoah County Library On February 14, 1925 the Triplett High and Vocational School in Mt. Jackson Virginia burned to the ground. Soon community activists, including Dr. J.I. Triplett responded and raised enough money to construct a new school on the same site. Local business leaders and community organizations raised almost $7000 for the project. Triplett donated $3200 more and the insurance dividend provided $20,000. The new school would be completed in time for the 1925-1926 school year. It would also be named the Triplett High and Vocational School. It housed grades 1-12. In 1939 a new wing was added that contained grade school classrooms and a gym. The first cafeteria would not be added for at least another decade. High school classes would end at Triplett in 1959 when Stonewall Jackson High School opened. Over the next two decades both the elementary grades and the vocational school would relocate to new sites. In 1992 the school closed when grades 5-7 departed. Two years later Shenandoah County donated the school to the Mt. Jackson Fire Department who retained the 1939 addition but demolished the original portion of the school. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-05-03T15:08:13-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:20-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/11 Shenandoah County Library In 1884 local businessman J.I. Triplett founded the Mt. National Bank with $50,000 of capital. Triplett was a well-established commercial leader who was responsible for operating several mills, electric power plants, banks and stores in Shenandoah County. This bank was first located at 6013 Main Street and for a time was the only National Bank in Shenandoah County. However by the turn of the century it had outgrown its modest location. In 1904 Triplett built a new three story structure, known as the “Brick Building.” The new site was at an ideal location. It was near the Post Office and along the only walkway to the depot. The Bank, a drug store, general merchandise business, law offices, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and several apartments occupied the building. In 1933 J.I. Triplett died and the Mt. Jackson National Bank was acquired and closed by its competitor the People’s Bank which occupied the Triplett building. It operated until 1969 when it was acquired by the First Virginia Bank. This organization built a new structure in 1974 and razed the building for parking. For more, view the original article.