Rappahanock County

IThis chimney stands as a tribute to the families and communities of Rappahannock County whose homes, farms, churches, schools, and livelihoods were lost during the creation of Shenandoah National Park in the 1930s. Through the use of eminent domain, hundreds of mountain residents across eight Virginia counties were required to leave lands their families had occupied for generations. More than 500 families and individuals were displaced as the park was established

The monument's chimney design reflects one of the most enduring symbols of these mountain homes. Long after houses disappeared, stone chimneys often remained standing, silent witnesses to the lives, labor, traditions, and resilience of the people who once called these mountains home. Each chimney serves as a reminder that the story of conservation is also a story of sacrifice. 

Created through the efforts of the Blue Ridge Heritage Project, this memorial honors the men, women, and children of Rappahannock County whose roots ran deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their legacy endures in the names inscribed here, in the memories passed through generations, and in the enduring connection between family, community, and place. (

May this monument preserve their stories, acknowledge their sacrifices, and inspire future generations to remember those whose lives shaped these mountains long before they became a national park.

​