Second of four markers to be unveiled placed in Ed Good Memorial Park
By Joe Paldino
STANLEY, June 27 — Despite the on-and-off rainfall throughout the valley, a small crowd made the trip to Ed Good Memorial Park on Saturday for the second unveiling among four historical markers commissioned by the Page County VA250 Committee.
The marker honors Colonial Agriculture and was placed a few steps into Ed Good Memorial Park past the playground and alongside the walking trail. Two hundred pounds of bronze were used by local artisan Clyde Jenkins in addition to the mountain stone serving as a base for the new marker.
“During colonial times agriculture flourished in the South Branch Valley. Wheat, corn and cattle were major crops then as they are today. Napoleon later said, ‘An army travels on its stomach.’ The same was true during the American Revolution. Wheat, corn and cattle were all supplied to the Continental Army by farmers in this region,” reads a section of the marker.
Among those present at the marker’s unveiling were Mayor Michael Knight, Town Manager Terry Pettit, Council member Robin Good, Councilman Doug Purdham, and Vice Mayor Bruce Stoneburger (all seen above). Also in attendance were Rebecca Armstrong of the Page County Economic Development and Tourism office, and Rod Graves, chairman of the Page County VA250 Committee.
The Page Patriotic Singers also made an appearance and sang celebratory patriotic songs ahead of the marker’s unveiling.
“We declared independence on July 4, 1776,” said Mayor Knight. “[It was] the birth of a new nation. A fresh, young nation, like a small child, trying things and learning what it was like to govern itself…By declaring their independence and writing the Declaration of Independence, [our Founding Fathers] established the nation’s core ideology. The government rests on the consent of the governed and exists to protect those fundamental rights.”
“Can you imagine how blessed we are today?” said Pettit. “[Blessed enough] to be alive and celebrate 250 years?”
“Today we gather with each other as equals,” said Graves. “Not as commoners or nobles. Each of us here has his or her story, but in all of us, we fully have the chance to be truly free in the challenging world today.”
Graves also spoke on the backstory of each marker and the importance each town played during colonial times.
“The committee concluded that each town within our county have a theme,” said Graves. “[A theme] that would best describe the role our people [played] towards the struggles of independence for each town.”
“As you are likely aware,” he continued. “No battles or any military [activities] took place in what’s now Page County during the Revolutionary War. However, fighting and bloodshed are only a small part success or failure when conducting war.”
On top of crops being supplied to troops, cattle were also driven to the Siege of Yorktown to feed Allied American and French troops during battle. The Stanley marker commemorates the importance of agriculture and the influence it played during the war.
Graves thanked everyone who played a part in the planning and creation of the marker and reminded the small crowd of how important it was to appreciate their town.
“I’d also like to remind you all that we live in the most beautiful and enchanting place in the world,” said Graves. “Much history lurks out there for us to discover for the past that only reflects the joy of living in this Page County. I salute all of you now to unveil this marker that belongs to all of us.”
Each marker similarly tells the story of Page County’s past, back when it was known as the South Branch Valley. It highlights the sacrifice many residents of the past made to assist in the Revolutionary War and their contributions to the independence of the States.
With the second VA250 marker officially unveiled, two more ceremonies remain honoring colonial industry and patriots.
More dedications planned by the Page County VA250 committee:
- Saturday, July 4 at 4 p.m. — “Colonial Industry” — Luray near North Loop of Hawksbill Greenway, also near planned expansion to historic Isabella-Redwell Furnace, where Luray traces its roots to and the symbol of the marker’s theme of industrial history dating back to the 1700s. Marker will have a base of limestone created by Clyde Jenkins.
- Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 7 (time TBD) — Page County Courthouse, marker will honor local soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Marker will have a base of limestone created by Clyde Jenkins.
For more information about the Page County VA250 Committee,
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