Near Syria in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rapidan Camp
then & now
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
1. Rapidan Camp Marker
Blue indicates Roads, trails, and structures – 1930s
Red indicates Roads, trails and structures – now
Rapidan’s Original Structures
Five Tents (blue) – the first structure built; ruins still visible today
Trails End (blue) – guest cabin
Ishbel (blue) – guest cabin; named for the Prime Minister’s daughter who visited
The Slums (blue) – usually occupied by Mrs. Hoover’s secretaries
Town Hall (blue) – social hall
Duty Office (blue) – used by Secret Service and Marines
Quarters (blue) – occupied by chief commissary officer
The Owl (blue) – guest cabin
Mess Hall (blue) – where most meals were served
Mess Servants Quarters (blue)
The Brown House (red) – Hoovers’ residence; now historically refurnished; seasonal tours
The Fountain (red)
Outdoor Fireplace (red)
The Creel (red) – cabin used by Hoover’s physician and aide; now houses camp volunteers
The Prime Minister (red) – guest cabin; named for the British Prime Minister who visited; now houses exhibit
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Camp Hoover (here, next to this marker); "Here is peace and quietude" (here, next to this marker); Town Hall on Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Famous Town Hall Visitors (within shouting distance of this marker); “Five Tents” (within shouting distance of this marker); Recreational Pursuits (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mess Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syria.
More about this marker. The marker contains a map of Rapidan Camp as it appeared during the Hoover years. Structures that still exist are shown in red, while those that now longer stand are in blue. Also on the map are waterways such as Mill Prong, Laurel Prong, Hemlock Run and the Rapidan River; and trails such as the Mill Prong Trail, Laurel Prong Trail, President’s Walk, Five Tents Trail and trails to Fork Mountain and the dam.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
2. Rapidan Camp Marker
Also see . . .
1. President Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover's Rapidan Camp. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Biography of Herbert Hoover. The White House website. (Submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
3. Rapidan Camp Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
4. Markers at Rapidan Camp
Several markers are found at this site. The Rapidan Camp marker is seen here on the right.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
5. Prime Minister's Cabin
British Prime Minister Ramsey McDonald stayed in this cabin when he met with President Hoover at Rapidan Camp.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
6. The Brown House
This cabin was used by President Herbert Hoover as his summer White House.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
7. The Creel
President Hoover’s Chief Aids occupied this cabin. These included his personal physician Joel T. Boone, Jr. and Larry Richey, a former F.B.I. agent assigned to guard the President.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
8. Outdoor Fireplace
President Hoover and his guests were often photographed by the press while sitting at this fireplace.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
9. Five Tents
This fireplace is all that remains of the first structure to be built at Rapidan Camp.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011
10. Fountain
This fountain, designed by Mrs. Hoover, utilized water diverted from the nearby river.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
