Signal Knob facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Signal Knob |
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A view of Signal Knob, from Strasburg, Virginia
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,106 ft (642 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Shenandoah / Warren counties, Virginia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Ridge and Valley Appalachians |
| Topo map | USGS Strasburg Quad |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Signal Knob is a mountain peak in Virginia, USA. It is the northernmost point of Massanutten Mountain. This mountain is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, a long chain of mountains.
Signal Knob stands tall at about 2,106 feet (642 meters) high. It is located inside the George Washington National Forest. You can find it where Shenandoah County and Warren County meet. From the top, you get amazing views of the northern Shenandoah Valley and the town of Strasburg, Virginia.
Contents
A Look Back: Signal Knob's History
Signal Knob played an important role during the American Civil War. Both the Union (North) and Confederate (South) armies used it. They used it as a special lookout point.
How Signal Knob Helped the Armies
From 1862 to 1864, the Confederates controlled Signal Knob. Their special communication teams, called the Signal Corps, watched from here. They could see Union army movements from Winchester all the way to Fisher's Hill.
These teams used flags, lanterns, and telescopes to send messages. They communicated with other stations far away. These stations included places like Ashby Gap and New Market Gap.
Battles and Plans at Signal Knob
On August 14, 1864, Union troops tried to take control of Signal Knob. They fought a small group of Confederate soldiers. The Union troops won for a short time. But they could not stay on the peak and had to go back down.
Later that year, in October 1864, a Confederate general named John Brown Gordon used Signal Knob. He looked down at the Union army's position at Cedar Creek. From what he saw, he planned a surprise attack.
General Gordon's plan was approved by Lieutenant General Jubal Early. The Confederates launched their surprise attack on October 19, 1864. This battle was called the Battle of Cedar Creek. The Confederates did well at first. But later that day, the Union army fought back and won. You can still see parts of old Civil War forts around Signal Knob today.
Remembering the Past
In 2014 and 2019, special events happened at Signal Knob. These were for the 150th and 155th anniversaries of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Park rangers from the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park visited. They shared stories about the mountain's history with hikers. They also described the Civil War reenactments happening in the valley below.
Fun Things to Do: Recreation
Signal Knob is a great place for outdoor activities. The Massanutten Trail goes right up to the peak. This trail is kept in good shape by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
Hiking and Biking Adventures
Hikers and mountain bikers love the trails around Signal Knob. There are many different loop trails you can take. These loops have different lengths, so you can choose what fits you best. You can even combine them with parts of the Tuscarora Trail.
There is also a service road that leads up the mountain. It's usually closed to cars, but you can hike on it. This road goes to a radio tower not far from the historic lookout point. The trails around Signal Knob are often less crowded than those in Shenandoah National Park.
