Rapidan Camp facts for kids
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Camp Hoover
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The Rapidan Camp "Brown House" in Hoover's Time
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Syria, Virginia |
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| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Lou Henry Hoover, US Marine Corps |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001825 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 7, 1988 |
| Designated NHLD | June 7, 1988 |
Rapidan Camp (also called Camp Hoover) is a special place in Shenandoah National Park in Madison County, Virginia. It was built by U.S. President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry Hoover. They used it as their quiet getaway from 1929 to 1933, while Hoover was president.
The main cabin where the Hoover family lived was called the "Brown House." This was a fun contrast to their famous home in Washington, D.C., the White House. Rapidan Camp was like an early version of today's presidential retreat, Camp David.
Contents
Why Did President Hoover Need a Retreat?
In November 1928, Herbert Hoover was elected the 31st president of the United States. He won by a lot! Unlike earlier presidents, Hoover was not from the eastern U.S. He was born in Iowa and lived in California for a long time.
It was too far for him to go home often to escape the busy life of being president. So, he wanted a peaceful place closer to Washington, D.C.
Finding the Perfect Spot for a Presidential Getaway
Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, had lived in mining camps for over 10 years. They liked being in isolated places. President Hoover asked his secretary, Lawrence Richey, to find a secret spot. It needed to be within 100 miles (160 km) of Washington, D.C. It also had to be high up, at least 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level, to avoid mosquitoes. Most importantly, it needed a great trout stream for fishing.
Virginia Governor Harry F. Byrd really wanted to create Shenandoah National Park. He helped the Hoovers find the perfect place. Two months before Hoover became president, they suggested the headwaters of the Rapidan River. This remote area was on Doubletop Mountain, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Madison County, Virginia. Two streams, Mill Prong and Laurel Prong, meet there to form the Rapidan River. All three streams were excellent for fishing.
Less than three weeks after Hoover became president, the news announced they had chosen the Rapidan site. Virginians offered to give the land to Hoover, but he bought it himself. He paid $1,045 for the land and $22,719 for building materials. The Marine Corps helped build the camp as a "military exercise."
The Hoovers first thought of having tents, but then decided on more lasting buildings. Mrs. Hoover helped plan everything. The Marines built thirteen different buildings. These included a main lodge, two dining halls, cabins, and a "Town Hall." They also made hiking trails, a stone fountain, trout pools, and a mini golf course.
The kitchen staff and dishes from the presidential yacht, Mayflower, were moved to Rapidan Camp. This happened after Hoover decided to stop using the yacht to save money.
Life at the Presidential Retreat (1929–1933)
Rapidan Camp covered 164 acres (66 hectares). President Hoover loved fishing in the streams, which were filled with trout by the government. Mrs. Hoover enjoyed riding horses at camp. The state of Virginia even added a road to make it easier to reach the camp. This road is still unpaved today.
The New York Times newspaper called the camp "frontier-like." Mrs. Hoover described the drive and the camp:
This camp,—at the end of nowhere, with a road that in wet weather lets you sink to your hubs in slushy mush and while there bump over the most amazing boulders ... —has electric lights and a telephone and its morning papers. The mail is dropped from an airplane!
President Hoover on Fishing and Nature
On August 17, 1929, President Hoover gave a speech in Madison, Virginia. He talked about fishing and his camp:
I fear that the summer camp we have established on the Rapidan has the reputation of being devoted solely to fishing. That is not the case, for the fishing season lasts but a short time in the spring. It is a place for weekend rest—but fishing is an excuse and a valid reason of the widest range of usefulness for temporary retreat from our busy world.
In this case it is the excuse for return to the woods and streams with their retouch of the simpler life of the frontier from which every American springs. ... Fishing seems to be the sole avenue left to Presidents through which they may escape to their own thoughts and may live in their own imaginings and find relief from the pneumatic hammer of constant personal contacts, and refreshment of mind in the babble of rippling brooks.
Moreover, it is a constant reminder of the democracy of life, of humility, and of human frailty—for all men are equal before fishes. And it is desirable that the President of the United States should be periodically reminded of this fundamental fact—that the forces of nature discriminate for no man.
People only fished outside the camp grounds. The fish inside the camp were so used to people that they would swim out if you threw a pebble in the water.
Important Visitors at Camp
Many important people, both from the U.S. and other countries, came to Rapidan Camp. They met with President Hoover for important discussions. Famous guests included inventor Thomas A. Edison, aviator Charles Lindbergh, and British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. Even Winston Churchill visited! After arriving, the President and his guests would often go straight to the fishing ponds.
The press (reporters and photographers) were usually not invited to Rapidan Camp. But in his last year as president, Hoover invited them to help with his campaign.
One friend of Hoover's in the press was "Ding" Darling, a famous cartoonist. He visited the camp several times. He and the President shared an interest in protecting nature. Once, they rode horses and snuck away from the Secret Service. They went to a deserted tower, caught and cooked lunch by a creek, and watched the Secret Service search for them.
Hoover's trips to camp were sometimes relaxed. He would even stop for a picnic by the road. People driving by would be surprised to see their President having fun. The camp had a large outdoor stone fireplace. Many photos of the Hoovers and their guests were taken there.
At Rapidan Camp, President Hoover and Prime Minister MacDonald talked for hours. They sat on an "historic log" and made an agreement. This agreement became the basis for the 1930 London Naval Treaty, which limited naval weapons. The camp also gave its name to the "Rapidan Plan," which involved the Girl Scouts of the USA helping during tough economic times.
The Birthday Opossum and the Mountain School
A well-known story happened in August 1929. A boy from the nearby mountains gave President Hoover a live opossum for his 55th birthday. Six months later, the President helped build a new schoolhouse in that remote area. Before this, there was no school there.
Historians believe the story started weeks earlier. Admiral Joel T. Boone, Hoover's doctor, met an eleven-year-old boy named Ray Buracker. Ray and his eight brothers and sisters had never been to school. Their area, Dark Hollow, had no school. When the President heard about Ray, he said he would give him five dollars for an opossum.
On August 10, the President's birthday, Ray brought an opossum. With some encouragement, the shy boy presented it to the President and his guest, Charles Lindbergh.
President Hoover raised money to build a small schoolhouse. It even had an apartment for the teacher, Christine Vest. She knew how to teach children in remote mountain areas. The first class had twenty-two students, from 6 to 20 years old.
The story of this mountain schoolhouse became famous across the country. People sent donations like schoolbooks, furniture, and a piano. President Hoover cared a lot about the school. He even invited the students to visit the White House many times. After Hoover left office, the school closed. The area became part of Shenandoah National Park in 1935. The school building was moved to Big Meadows and used as a ranger station.
Marine Camp: The Builders and Protectors
A separate camp was built about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Rapidan Camp. This was for the Marines who built, maintained, and guarded the camp. At first, it had mostly tents and a few wooden cabins. Later, more cabins were built. Many Marines were chosen for this duty because they were skilled carpenters or plumbers. When the President was at camp, 150 to 250 Marines were there. In winter, only about a dozen stayed.
The Marine Camp was taken down in 1944.
Rapidan Camp After Hoover (1933–Present)
When President Hoover lost his election in 1932, he and his wife gave the camp to the federal government. They wanted it to be used by future presidents and become part of the new Shenandoah National Park.
A Camp for Boy Scouts
President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Rapidan Camp in 1933. However, the narrow trails were too hard for his wheelchair. He later created his own retreat, Camp David.
In 1948, the Boy Scouts of America were allowed to use Rapidan Camp as a summer camp. This was what Hoover had wanted. The camp was renamed "Camp Hoover" during this time. But the costs to keep it up became too high, so the Scouts left in 1958. In 1960, many old buildings were taken down, leaving only three original ones.
A Retreat for Government Officials
From 1960 to 1992, the camp was a vacation spot for high-ranking government officials. This included Vice President Walter Mondale and Vice President Al Gore.
In 1988, the camp was named a National Historic Landmark as "Camp Hoover."
Restored and Open to the Public (2001–Present)
In 2004, Shenandoah National Park finished restoring the camp. They made the grounds and the three remaining cabins look like they did when the Hoovers lived there. The three buildings are the Brown House (President's Cabin), the Prime Minister's Cabin, and the Creel. Signs now help visitors imagine what life was like in 1931. The camp's name was officially changed back to Rapidan Camp.
The river is still famous for its trout fishing.
Visiting Rapidan Camp Today
You can reach Rapidan Camp by hiking 4.1 miles (6 km) round-trip on the Mill Prong Trail. This trail starts on Skyline Drive at Milam Gap. The National Park Service also offers guided van trips from the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows. During much of the year, a guide stays at the camp to give tours. The Brown House is decorated like it was in Hoover's time. The Prime Minister's Cabin has exhibits for visitors.
How the Cabins Were Built
Lou Henry Hoover hired an architect who had designed Girl Scout camps to help with the cabins. The buildings were simple compared to modern homes. Some early structures, like the "Five Tents," had only a wooden floor and low walls, with canvas tents on top. Even the President's Cabin was built with single walls, meaning it wasn't insulated.
On cold days, large stone fireplaces provided some warmth. On hot days, wooden panels could be folded down to show large screens. This allowed air to flow through the cabins. The cabins have electricity and plumbing, with wires visible along the walls. Large outdoor decks were built around existing trees, so the trees' branches could shade the cabins.
A copy of a part of the President's cabin is at the Hoover Presidential Library in Iowa.
See also
