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HISTORY ‘
Continued from Pag* 1
is part of one of the eight original English Shires in Virginia, formed in 1034, first called Charles River Shire. And later, in 1042, changed to York.
Rappahannock is • among the smaller counties in Virginia, having an area of only 274 square miles. More than three fourths of the one hundred counties in Virginia have a larger area. Pittsylvania is the largest county, having an area of 1,015 square miles, ami Arlington is the smallest, having an area of only 51 square miles. (This county was formerly Alexandria eounty, was formed in 1847 from the part of the Dis. trict of Columbia retroceded to Virginia.)
It is interesting to know that the County of Rappahannock and the County of Stafford have exactly the same area, 274 square miles.
While the County of Rappahannock is small in area, is is likewise small in population. The United States census for 1940 recorded •the population to he 7,208. There were 82 counties of the 100 in Virginia having a larger population. The 1950 census has not yet been released. The county enumeration as submitted for. the 1950 census shows the present population to be 6,067. If the enumera# tion is correct and there is no * reason to the contrary, it discloses a reduction in population of 1,141 during the past ten years. It can be well aaid the County of Rapps•hannock both in area and population has quality if not quantity.
The county has been drained in population during the past ten. years by those who wish to see the “bright lights,” not realizing that Rappahannock has all to be— found on the “Great White Way”, plus beauty, health and that which makes life worthwhile. — Here, is more than the great_ cities can afford, for near our doors is the great Shenandoah National Park, embracing an area ' of more than 300,000 acres, an irregular strip of virgin forest up and down the crest of the Blue Ridge. In Rappahannock county it furnishes a wealth and variety of mountain scenery, out-of-doors life, loveliness of open country and unspoiled nature that defies adequate description. There- are peaks and cliffs that challenge the seasoned mountain climber; canyons and gorges where the cascading waters come with thunderous roar; primeval forests, the trees of which speak wisdom to worn and jaded men, and whose beauty <s and perfumed blossoms bring re- • newed strength to frayed nerves worn by city living. * *
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