Civil War trails tourism

Civil War trails tourism

By Bill Kossler

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

John Tble of the Blue Ridge Civil War Roundtable made a proposal before the Board of Supervisors on Monday evening. Tole and the Roundtable want the Board of Supervisors to apply with the Virginia Department of Transportation fdr matching funds to erect a number of Civil War Trails roadside markers within the county. Tale gave an extensive presentation on Rappahannock’s role in the Civil War. While no major battles occurred within the county, several skirmishes did, Tble pointed out. He noted further that Lee’s army passed through the intersection at Ben Venue and US 211, then called Gaines Crossroad, and Union General George A. Custer used an extant house in Amissville as his headquarters.

The members of the BOS agreed with Tole about the known tourist draw of Civil War history, and the benefits of such low impact, traffic within the county. If VDOT approves the project, the state would provide 80 percent of initial funding, to the county’s 20 percent.

Chairman Charles K. “Pete” Estes, while enthusiastic about the project in principal, expounded that, “it is very important that we not be or seem to be wasteful with the county’s money”.

Depending upon what sort of signs are made, and who makes them, they could cost between $1,000 and $2,600 a piece. Right of way, maintenance responsibilities and road safety are among the issues various members of the board raised as needing further investigation.

The board approved applying for matching funds from the state, with the county’s share not to exceed 20 percent of $50,000. Half the county’s commitment of $10,000 is to be provided in kind from donations, contributions of materials or land or fundraisers.

High school track

The BOS discussed arranging a bidding process for the long discussed new track at the school. Originally envisioned with a low maintenance, long lasting and somewhat cushioned acrylic surface, the track project has been scaled back due to increased construction costs.

The new track, debated and discussed at BOS and School Board meetings for many months now, is part and parcel with several other ongoing and planned school improvements.

Now, bidding on a track without the acrylic coating is moving forward.

County Administer John McCarthy said the bidding process should be in place very soon. McCarthy anticipates bids being solicited from October 18 to November 1. The BOS will consider bids at their November 7 meeting.

School superintendent Bob Chappell and the BOS both emphasized a desire to ensure the scaled back track be ready to coat with acrylic at

See BOS, Page A3