Panorama Resort facts for kids
Panorama Resort was an early and famous hotel in the Shenandoah National Park in the United States. It was located at Thornton Gap, a mountain pass. Before the park was created, Panorama was one of many private resorts in the mountains. It was known as one of Virginia’s best resorts. Later, it became a restaurant inside the park. A company called Aramark ran it, just like other park resorts such as Big Meadows and Skyland Resort. Panorama Resort was taken down in 2008.
History
Panorama Resort first opened its doors on July 20, 1924. It was built where Skyline Drive and Route 211 meet. This spot is between Sperryville, Virginia and Luray, Virginia. It sat on the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting Virginia's Hunt Country and the Shenandoah Valley.
In its early days, Panorama was a busy place. It had a tea room, a hotel, and many small cottages. There was even a golf course for visitors to enjoy. It was a popular stop for people exploring the area.
Throughout the 1900s, Panorama was one of the most famous places on Skyline Drive. Other well-known spots included Rapidan Camp, which was a mountain getaway for President Herbert Hoover. Panorama had a rustic, natural look. It was even known for its bear shows!
The resort was privately owned at first. But when Shenandoah National Park was created, the government bought the land. This process is called eminent domain, where the government can buy private land for public use. The original Panorama building was taken down in 1958. A new Panorama building was built in its place.
In the 1990s, the restaurant at Panorama faced problems. Fewer visitors came to the park. The company running it, Aramark, gave the building back to the National Park Service. It then became a simple stop for hikers.
The National Park Service hoped to turn the building into a museum. This museum would honor the Civilian Conservation Corps. This group of young men helped build many parts of the park during the Great Depression. However, the costs to fix the building became too high. In 2006, the park announced that Panorama would be demolished. In May 2008, the restaurant and gift shop building was taken down. A new restroom was built on the site instead.
