Mount Solon, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Solon, Virginia
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Unincorporated community
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Mt. Solon Grocery on Natural Chimneys Road
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 Mount Solon, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Mount Solon, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Augusta |
| Elevation | 1,325 ft (404 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
22843
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1497028 |
Mount Solon is a small, unincorporated community in Augusta County, Virginia, United States. It is about 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Harrisonburg and 20 miles (32 km) north of Staunton. This area is part of the larger Staunton–Waynesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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History of Mount Solon
The first people to settle in Mount Solon were families from Scotland and Ireland, known as Scots-Irish, and also from Germany. In 1799, a man named James Cochran built a small mill and a home here. This mill was located on a creek that ran through the town.
Growth and Decline of Mount Solon
Because the mill was located between the growing towns of Harrisonburg and Staunton, Mount Solon became a busy place. Many businesses opened up, and the town began to do well. In the early 1900s, Mount Solon had a Ford car dealership, a gas station, the Mount Solon Bank, and other shops.
A railway line, the Chesapeake and Western Railroad (C&W), also ran through Mount Solon. This helped connect the town to other farming markets in the region. However, the Great Depression in the 1930s greatly affected Mount Solon. The old mill closed, and many people left to find work elsewhere. When the C&W railway stopped its service, Mount Solon quickly became much quieter.
Today, only a few old shops remain. However, some buildings still show the town's past. The Old Mount Solon Bank is a good example of architecture from after the Civil War. The recently fixed-up Lincoln Manor House at Spring Meadows Farm shows what a large farm house in the Shenandoah Valley looked like.
Local stories say that in the early 1900s, explosives were used to blow a hole in the bank's corner during a robbery. You can still see where the brickwork was repaired.
Two important historical places, Long Glade Farm and the Mt. Zion Schoolhouse, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
Mount Solon in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, a famous general named Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson met with General Richard Ewell in Mount Solon. This meeting happened on May 17, 1862, during a series of battles known as the Valley Campaign. General Jackson came to Mount Solon after fighting in the Battle of McDowell to meet with General Ewell.
Attractions in Mount Solon
Mount Solon is best known for Natural Chimneys Regional Park. This park is owned by Augusta County and is a popular place for fun activities.
Natural Chimneys Regional Park
The park gets its name from seven tall rock formations that look like chimneys. The tallest of these limestone formations is 120 feet high! Besides these amazing rock formations, the park has a large swimming pool and many places to camp.
Every year, on the third Saturday in August, a jousting tournament is held at Natural Chimneys. This is a very old event, and it is the oldest sporting event in the United States that has been held continuously. Because this horse-riding tournament is so important, the National Jousting Hall of Fame is located right here at Natural Chimneys.
Mount Solon also hosts the Red Wing Roots Music Festival. This festival features bluegrass and Americana music, which are types of American folk music.
Stokesville Observatory
Near Mount Solon, you can find the Stokesville Observatory. This observatory has a telescope that is owned and used by the Physics Department at James Madison University. The observatory is not usually open to everyone, but you can sometimes arrange special tours.
