St. George in Greene County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Blue Ridge School

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 11, 2023

1. Blue Ridge School Marker

Inscription. The Episcopal Church opened Blue Ridge School here in 1910 for children from mountain communties who had minimal access to education. Led by the Rev. George P. Mayo, the school became the centerpiece of an extensive network of Episcopal missions that served several counties in this region. The campus includes two buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Gibson Memorial Chapel (1932) and the Martha Bagby Battle House (1934). The former was designed by Ralph Adams Cram, one of the most prominent American architects of his era. Blue Ridge School closed in 1961 but reopened in 1962 with a new mission as a college preparatory boarding school for boys.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number D-47.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 38° 16.084′ N, 78° 33.129′ W. Marker is in St. George, Virginia, in Greene County. Marker is on Bacon Hollow Road (County Route 627) just north of Mayo Drive, on the right when traveling north. It is just past the main entrance gate to the school. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 53 Mayo Dr, Dyke VA 22935, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Escape Route (approx. 5.9 miles away); Shenandoah’s Deer (approx. 5.9 miles away); Skyline Drive (approx. 5.9 miles away); What's Special about Shenandoah? (approx. 5.9 miles away); Greene County / Rockingham County (approx. 6.2 miles away); Rekindling Nature (approx. 6.2 miles away); Knights of the Golden Horseshoe (approx. 6.2 miles away); “Sic Juvat Transcendere Montes” (approx. 6.2 miles away).

Also see . . . Built to Thrive. This page on the history of the Blue Ridge School is chock full of period photographs. Excerpt:

Founded as the Blue Ridge Industrial School in 1909 by Reverend George Pickett Mayo, the school’s early mission was to provide a vocational education for boys and girls who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to realize their rich potential. Today, Blue Ridge School is dedicated to providing a sound college-prep education for capable and willing young men. In our supportive, structured community, self-esteem is founded upon solid accomplishment in the classroom, on athletic fields, in the arts, and in a host of co-curricular activities.

(Submitted on October 11, 2023.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 11, 2023

2. Blue Ridge School Marker

The main entrance to the campus is in the distance on the left.

Blue Ridge School Main Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 11, 2023

3. Blue Ridge School Main Entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.