Goshen Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goshen Pass |
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Maury River at Goshen Pass
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| Elevation | 1,350 ft (411 m) |
| Traversed by |  SR 39 |
| Location | Rockbridge County, Virginia, United States |
| Range | Ridge and Valley Appalachians |
| Coordinates | 37°55′49″N 79°27′19″W / 37.93028°N 79.45528°W |
Goshen Pass is a beautiful natural area in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It's a special kind of gorge or water gap. This means a river has cut its way through a mountain range over a very long time. Here, the Maury River flows through the Little North Mountain.
You can find Goshen Pass about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Lexington. State Route 39 runs right through the pass, following the river's edge. It's a great spot for enjoying nature and learning about history.
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Who was Matthew Fontaine Maury?
Goshen Pass is home to a memorial for Matthew Fontaine Maury. He was a famous American naval officer, scientist, and oceanographer. People called him the "Pathfinder of the Seas." He made important maps of ocean currents and winds. These maps helped ships travel faster and safer around the world.
A Special Request from Maury
After Maury passed away, his body was being taken from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington to his burial place. This was at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. On the way, his coach stopped at Goshen Pass. This stop was because Maury had a special wish. He wanted some of his favorite flowers, rhododendrons and mountain-ivy, to be picked from the pass. These flowers were then placed with him before his journey continued.
The Maury Memorial at Goshen Pass
Because of his love for this place, a memorial was later built at Goshen Pass. It includes a stone monument with Maury's face carved into it. There's also a poem written by Mrs. Margaret Junkin Preston inscribed on it. High above the river, you can see a huge anchor and chain. These honor Maury's important work and service in the navy.
Matthew Fontaine Maury is buried in Hollywood Cemetery. His grave is located between the graves of two former U.S. Presidents from Virginia, John Tyler and James Monroe.
Images for kids
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The Maury River cuts through the Appalachians, west of Wilson Springs, between Hogback Mountain and Jump Mountain
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Maury Memorial at Goshen Pass overlooking the Maury River
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View to northeast from overlook
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View to southwest from overlook
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Maury River
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State Route 39 near west end of the pass
