Historic Strasburg

Historic Strasburg. Stop 8. , Fort Street, heading south from High Street, once led to the Shenandoah River and the "town ford." Travelers crossed the river here or at two additional fords located nearby before a one-lane bridge was constructed near the site in 1914., The North Fork of the Shenandoah River has always been a vital part of life in Strasburg. Early trappers and farmers carried their products down river on flat bottom boats to markets along the Potomac River. Because the Shenandoah River flows north, generations of locals would say you are going "up the Valley" when traveling south toward Harrisonburg. The river is the town's main source of water today., The Federal style house at 201 High Street to the right of S. Fort Street is known as Academy Hall. It was built in the 1820s, and the room on the west side was an early school., Strasburg's public schools occupied the property to the right of Academy Hall for almost 200 years. In 1804 a group of citizens created a lottery to fund the building of the Strasburg Academy. The two-story brick building you see today replaced the Academy in 1926. In 1870 another building, which burned in 1968, was built to the right of the Academy. Construction of schools at new locations over time brought school days to an end on High Street in 1992. In 2004 The Strasburg Mennonite Church purchased the old school building, which had fallen into disrepair. After extensive renovation with mostly volunteer labor it now serves as worship and meeting space for the congregation. A school serving Mennonite families, also in the building, has returned education to High Street!, In 1872 James Sonner built the house at 187 High Street for his family. He is considered to be the master builder of Strasburg's Victorian homes. Notice the unique decorative details he used on the house. On this side of the street, at 192 High Street, is another house built by James Sonner., The residence at 144 High Street was built in 1884. All of the walls, exterior and interior, are constructed of brick. The mansard roof is a distinctive feature of Second Empire architecture., The Christian Church of the United Disciples of Christ was established in 1856. The first part of the Church was erected in 1872 and remodeled in the Romanesque Revival style in 1912., (Caption):, A steel bridge was erected over the Shenandoah River in 1914. On the far right is a rear view of the Strasburg Academy., To reach Stop 9 go left to the end of the block, turn right on Holliday Street, continue to the top of the hill, and cross the street. , Entrance to Ram Drive