Signal Knob

Signal Knob, the northernmost high point of Massanutten Mountain, sometimes called Three Top, looms above your location along the twisting North Fork of the Shenandoah River. From 1862 to 1864, Confederate signalmen occupied the peak, keeping watch on the Shenandoah Valley.

From their perch 2,110 feet above sea level, Confederate watchmen had an unparalleled view of the surrounding countryside and communicated with other signal stations at Ashby Gap (east of Winchester), Burnt Springs (south in Fort Valley), Harmony Hollow (near Front Royal), and New Market Gap. Special signal flags, lanterns, and telescopes were used to communicate from one peak to another.

Union troops attacked the signal station on August 14, 1864, in a skirmish that resulted in 10 casualties. Signal Knob was soon again a Confederate outpost, however, and it played a key role in the October 19, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek. Peering down from Signal Knob, Confederate officers planned a devastating early morning attack, though the Union troops rallied and won the fight.

“A SPLENDID SIGHT”

On October 17, 1864, Confederate Gen. Clement A. Evans climbed up to Signal Knob. He wrote: “What a splendid sight was before me....The vision was limited by the Blue Ridge on the right, the Alleghenies on the left...like a narrow ditch the Shenandoah wound its way through the plain at the foot of the mountain toward the Blue Ridge....The Valley Pike like a white ribbon lay along the center, the country roads looked like foot-paths, the woods looked like little parks, and the fields looked like little gardens....”

See the incredible vista! A trail that begins at 678 Fort Valley Rd. will take you to Signal Knob (see above left inset map). It's a moderate, rocky hike of 10 miles that takes about five hours round trip. Wear good hiking shoes!