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As you travel west from Sperryville on US 211 going to Luray before the park was established, there were homes and businesses on each side of the road from Beech Spring Church to Turn Bridge. This is the first sharp turn to the left as you start up the mountain. This was known as Atkinstown.
You would never realize this had been an active community when you travel the road today, but if you look closely with the leaves off, you can see some remnants of homes and stone fences.
There were two churches, Beech Spring which is the Baptist Church outside the park and is still active today. Rev. Warren Corbin was the preacher there for many years. The Dunkard Church was close to the road and was a small church that met the needs for those who lived close by.
The one room school went from grades one through six and was well attended with Ms. Margaret Atkins and Mr. Edward Atkins as teachers. This was like other one room schools. It was heated with wood and had a spring close by for their water supply. The children would bring in fresh water at recess in a bucket.
After the school was closed, Mr. James Atkins and Clyde Atkins built a wooden school bus body on a truck chassis, and transported the children to Sperryville School. The bus had benches down each side with one down the middle. Curtains were at the windows to help keep the cold air out.
There are three cemeteries in that vicinity. We have visited these from time to time and always find it interesting to see the
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