Near Syria in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Recreational Pursuits

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

1. Recreational Pursuits Marker

Inscription. Trout fishing was the chief pastime at the camp. Other diversions were horseback riding, horseshoe pitching, hiking and working puzzles. Above, is the recreation area adjacent to Town Hall. Below, Richey and Boone work on a jig-saw puzzle.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 38° 29.433′ N, 78° 25.203′ W. Marker is near Syria, Virginia, in Madison County. It can be reached from Rapidan Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Rapidan Camp in Shenandoah National Park, at the end the Rapidan Fire Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Syria VA 22743, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Famous Town Hall Visitors (a few steps from this marker); The Prime Minister’s Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Town Hall (a few steps from this marker); Mountain Streams in the Camp (a few steps from this marker); Town Hall on Town Hall (a few steps from this marker); A Rather Biggish Establishment (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The Mess Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Outdoor Fireplace (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syria.

More about this marker. Photographs on the marker depict the Rapidan Camp’s recreation area and two of President Hoover’s Chief Aids doing a puzzle.

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. Film of Herbert Hoover fishing. (Submitted on July 1, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker at Rapidpan Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

2. Marker at Rapidpan Camp

The Recreational Pursuits marker is located in the Rapidan Camp, where President Herbert Hoover had his summer White House.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

3. Recreational Pursuits Marker

Richey and Boone depicted on the marker were two of President Hoover’s Chief Aids. Larry Richey was Hoover's personal “secretary” and Joel T. Boone, Jr. was the President’s personal physician. Both men lived in the Creel Cabin, which still stands at Rapidan Camp.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

4. Recreational Pursuits Marker

The Recreational Pursuits marker is seen here in the right foreground. The Prime Minister's Cabin, which was occupied by British PM Ramsey McDonald, is visible in the background.

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 540 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.