Formed out of necessity in 1831, Page County had a great need to operate within its own boundaries of the Massanutten and Blue Ridge Mountains. A very unique situation arose when this rural area was coupled with the discovery in 1878 of something as spectacular as the Luray Caverns. Along with this new fame followed a large influx of tourists, industry, and varied commerce into the entire county from the lifeline created by the formation of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in 1881. During the reconstruction years after the Civil War, and with the formation of "land and improvement" companies...

Luray Caverns, discovered in the quiet valley community of Luray in 1878, became the main attraction in Page County. In hopes of capitalizing on this new found "Wonder of the World," executives of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad completed the rail from Hagerstown and Basic City to Luray by 1881. Mann Almond drove the final ceremonial spike just north of Deford's Tannery in Luray. With the arrival of the railroad came a new economy supported by passengers, excursionists, lodging, and freight transport. The bulk of these transports were Eureka Mining Company's mineral extractions and...