Civil War Trails: Strasburg, VA, gets a pair of Trails upgrades

Late last month, two of Strasburg’s Civil War Trails sites received significant upgrades. The new stories dovetail with the Historic Downtown Walking Trail and two hikes associated with Signal Knob. The project will bring new travelers to Strasburg and encourage them to stay longer as they lace up to take a historic hike.

The project was the result of work between Shenandoah County Tourism and Economic Development, The Town of Strasburg, Shenandoah County Library, and Virginia Civil War Trails, Inc. The two new signs are located at the Strasburg Museum at 440 E. King Street and the Strasburg Town Park at 295 Park Rd. off E. Queen Street.

Olivia Hilton, director of strategic initiatives for the Town of Strasburg, said, “These new installations enhance our storytelling, complement the Historic Downtown Walking Trail, and reflect our vibrant community. We invite you to come ‘discover the different sides of Strasburg.’”

Each Civil War Trails site is networked together with over 1,400 others across six states and are marketed internationally by state, regional, and municipal tourism offices. This means that the signs, while educational, are part of a much larger economic development mission. Brenda Black, Tourism Development Manager for Shenandoah County said, “Tourists who visit Civil War trail markers are likely to spend money on various goods and services in the local area. They may stay in hotels, dine at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and use other tourism-related services. This increased spending can have a positive impact on local businesses and the overall economy.”

The Strasburg Museum is the first stop along the Historic Downtown Walking Trail. The 1.6-mile-long trail winds you easily through the beautiful town as you explore each of the ten sites. A great resource for families or older travelers, you will get a slice of local history alongside great restaurants, shops, and more. For a bit more of an off road, yet easy stroll the new Civil War Trails site at the Strasburg Park is located along the Riverwalk trail. This crushed gravel path follows the North Fork of the Shenandoah River for approximately one mile.

For the more adventurous, the new Signal Knob Civil War Trails sign offers directions to the Signal Knob trailhead. This 10.5-mile loop is strenuous but offers unparalleled views of the Shenandoah Valley as you stand in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers who used the same vantage point to spy on the opposing army. So, lace up your boots, and bring your most adventurous travel partner to explore these historic hikes.

For more information about visiting Strasburg or taking a historic hike of your own, contact the Strasburg Visitor Center at (540) 465-5884. Be sure to snap a #signselfie with the two new #civilwartrails signs when you visit. For more information about Shenandoah County Visit VisitShenandoahCounty.com