Charles and Rachael Barr take a trip down Virginia’s Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is a 105-mile National Parkway that runs the entire length of the National Park Service’s Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, generally along the ridge of the mountains. Several views from some of the overlook stops along the route are featured, including Hogwallow Flats, Hogback Mountain, Jeremy’s Run, Beam Gap, and Pass Mountain. The lady seen in a few overlook shots is “Aunt Edna”. Edna Nease was married to Claude Nease, Rachael’s brother, and they frequently traveled together with Charles and Rachael on these tourist trips.
There is a quick shot of the Washington Monument and Appalachian Trail Head near Boonsboro, Maryland, which is now a State Park. The monument was built in 1827, and was the first monument built and dedicated to George Washington. More info on the Washington Monument Website.
Charles got some great footage of the Cheat River Covered Bridge located along US 50 in Preston County, West Virginia. It was built in 1835 and was destroyed by arson in 1964. The iron bridge named “Blue Bridge” replaced the wooden one in 1934. In the film, Rachael Barr is seen on the iron bridge looking over. Not much info available but Lost Bridges Org website has some more pix and a little info.
At around the 6 minute mark begins footage from the town of West Union, WV which had just been devastated by a flood. On June 25th of 1950, flood waters covered the town of West Union. The old West Union Covered Bridge was destroyed along with numerous homes and businesses. In a newspaper, days after the event in 1950, the headline read, “Flood Waters Destroy 78 Homes in County. 350 Made Homeless. 25 Drowned or Missing.” The town was in ruins and shock at the events that took place. Homes, businesses, and lives were all lost. Despite this event, the townspeople of West Union stood together to assist those without family or homes. Charles Barr shot footage of some of the devastation as he and Rachael traveled the area. You can see the base of the old covered bridge, and lots of wood and even a vehicle strewn about. More info on the flood can be found on the Doddridge County Heritage Guild website.
The last scene on the reel is an unspecified river barge headed up the Ohio River.
