{"id":89,"date":"2017-06-23T17:05:25","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T21:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kimberlyyavorski.com\/expandinghorizons\/?p=89"},"modified":"2017-06-24T16:48:51","modified_gmt":"2017-06-24T20:48:51","slug":"natural-bridge-national-treasure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kimberlyyavorski.com\/expandinghorizons\/natural-bridge-national-treasure\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia’s Breathtaking Natural Bridge Is a National Treasure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Natural Bridge, Virginia\u2019s 37th<\/sup> state park showcases one of the oldest geologic features on the East Coast. Part of a limestone cavern system, the bridge likely formed when the James River changed course and the existing cave collapsed, leaving only part of the ceiling intact. The history of the ownership of this \u201cnatural bridge\u201d and its surrounding property goes back to colonial days.<\/p>\n

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This G.W. engraved in the rock is said to have been carved by George Washington<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The recorded history of the 215-foot bridge goes back to 1750, when Lord Fairfax hired Washington to survey the bridge. It is said that at or around this time, he carved his initials into the stone under the bridge where they can still be seen today.<\/p>\n

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Plaque commemorating George Washington’s survey of the patent and its granting to Thomas Jefferson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge, along with another 157 acres of land, from King George III for 20 shillings. He later built a two-room log cabin on the property, one of these rooms was to be used for guests. In 1833, the property was sold and the new owner build the Forest Inn to accommodate the increasing number of visitors to the area. During the 1880s, while owned by Colonel Henry Parsons, it became known as a resort. In 1998 it received its National Historic Landmark status and in 2014 ownership transferred to the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund.<\/p>\n

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At the entrance to the park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This natural stone formation is on both the National and Virginia Historic Landmark lists as well as the National Register of Historic Places and is where the county, Rockbridge, got its name. The main feature of the park is the 215-foot natural limestone arch. Until recently, the bridge was in private hands. On September \u00a024, 2016, the property was turned over to the Commonwealth of Virginia for use as a state park<\/a>.<\/p>\n