Signal Knob
| Signal Knob | |
|---|---|
 A view of Signal Knob, fromStrasburg, Virginia | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,106 ft (642 m) |
| Coordinates | 38°57′40″N78°19′52″W/ 38.96100°N 78.331°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Shenandoah/Warrencounties,Virginia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Ridge and Valley Appalachians |
| Topo map | USGSStrasburg Quad |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Signal Knobis the northern peak ofMassanutten Mountainin theRidge and Valley Appalachianswith an elevation of 2,106 feet (642 m).[1]It is located inGeorge Washington National ForestinShenandoah CountyandWarren CountyinVirginia.
The peak offers expansive views into the northernShenandoah Valleyand the town ofStrasburg, Virginia.
History
[edit]Signal Knob was used bySignal Corps in the American Civil Warby both theUnionandConfederatearmies. The Confederates occupied it from 1862 to 1864.[2]From Signal Knob, the Confederate Signal Corps could monitor Union troop movements and observe battles fromWinchestertoFisher's Hilland beyond.[3]They could also communicate using flags, lanterns, and telescopes to other stations atAshby Gap,Burnt Springs,Harmony Hollow,andNew Market Gap.[4]
On August 14, 1864, a group of Union troops temporarily won control of the peak by defeating a detachment of the61st Georgia Volunteer Infantry[4]but could not dislodge the Confederates and were forced to retreat back down the mountain.[3]In October, 1864, Confederate Major GeneralJohn Brown Gordonsurveyed the Union position atCedar Creekfrom Signal Knob and devised a plan for a surprise attack. Upon Gordon's return to Strasburg, Lieutenant GeneralJubal Earlyapproved his plan. The Confederates successfully carried out the attack the morning of October 19, 1864 at theBattle of Cedar Creek,only to be defeated later that day by a Union counter attack.[3]Remains of Civil War era fortifications can still be seen around the area.[5]
In 2014 and 2019 on the 150th and 155th anniversaries of the Battle of Cedar Creek, rangers from theCedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Parkvisited Signal Knob and shared with hikers the history of the mountain as well as descriptions of the Civil War reenactments happening in the valley below.[6]
Recreation
[edit]TheMassanutten Trail,maintained by thePotomac Appalachian Trail Club,leads hikers and mountain bikers up to Signal Knob. There are many loop options of varying lengths which may be combined with theTuscarora Trail.[1]An unimproved service road that is normally closed to vehicular traffic but available for hiking also leads up to the radio tower now located a short distance from the historic overlook.[6][7]Trails in the Signal Knob area are known to be less crowded thanShenandoah National Park,to the east.[1]
Notes and references
[edit]- ^abc"SummitPost - Signal Knob".Summit Post. December 31, 2008.Retrieved2008-01-12.
- ^Wayland, John Walter (1980).A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia.Genealogical Publishing Com. pp. 187–189.ISBN0-8063-8011-X.
- ^abc"Signal Knob".National Park Service.Retrieved2019-10-20.
- ^abCoughlin, Bill."Signal Knob Marker".HMDB.org - The Historical Marker Database.Retrieved2009-01-13.
- ^"The Massanutten Mountain Trail, Virginia".Featured National Recreation Trails.The National Recreation Trails Program.RetrievedOctober 20,2019.
During the Civil War, the Confederate and Union soldiers were ever present. The Shenandoah Valley was known as the bread-basket of the Confederacy and was the site of many battles. In October of 1864, Union forces burned most of the farm structures and stored grain facilities in Fort Valley as they marched through the area. Signal Knob, an overlook on the Massanutten Trail located at the far north end of the Massanutten was used as a lookout and signal station by both Union and Confederate troops. Breast works used by both sides in defense of Signal Knob can still be seen.
- ^ab"Hike Through History… Signal Knob Interpretive Hike".National Park Service.RetrievedOctober 20,2019.
- ^"The Tower on Signal Knob".Blogger.RetrievedOctober 20,2019.
External links
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